How Our Auction Shipping Process Works
Bought something at auction and not sure what happens next? Here's exactly how MBE Kilburn collects, packs, insures and delivers items purchased at UK auction houses — from the moment you win a lot to the moment it arrives.
How does the auction shipping process work, step by step?
The process runs in seven stages: you request a quote with your invoice, we confirm pricing and any licence requirements, you accept, we collect on our weekly auction house run, we pack your item, send a payment link, and dispatch. Most UK mainland deliveries arrive within 1–2 days of dispatch.
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Request your quote
Send us your purchase details along with a copy of your invoice from the auction house. The more complete this is, the faster we can price it.
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We confirm your quote
Provided we have everything we need, we'll usually get your quote back to you the same day or the next working day. At this point we'll also flag anything that needs special handling. For example, if your item needs a shipping licence (see below), or the cost of insurance cover through MBE CoverProtect. Import duty and VAT on international shipments are the buyer's responsibility and aren't included in our quote.
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You accept the quote
Once you're happy with the price, confirm and we'll get moving.
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We collect from the auction house
We run a weekly collection round, so your item joins the next scheduled collection from the auction house. If you're not ready to receive it yet - or you'd like to combine it with items from a different sale - we can hold it in storage free of charge for up to one month. If you're a regular buyer, it's worth setting up an MBE mailbox account with us so everything you buy at auction comes to one place before it's shipped on to you.
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We pack it
Standard items are carefully packed within 2-3 days of collection. Anything needing a bespoke crate to be built or custom packaging (larger furniture, awkward shapes, particularly fragile or valuable pieces) takes 7-10 days, as it's built specifically for that item.
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We send your payment link
You'll receive this by email once your item is packed and ready to go.
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We dispatch
UK mainland deliveries usually arrive 1-2 days after dispatch. International delivery times depend on the destination country's customs and import process, which we don't control.
MBE Kilburn Auction Shipping FAQs
Answers are shown below. Select a question to expand it.
How much does auction shipping and insurance cost?
Cover through MBE CoverProtect is typically 2% of your item's declared value, with a £10 minimum charge. Shipping costs depend on the item's size, fragility and destination. Import duty and VAT on international orders are the buyer's responsibility and are set by the destination country, not by MBE.
For a full breakdown of how we calculate collection, packing and delivery charges, see our auction shipping pricing page.
Do I need a licence to ship my auction purchase?
Some items, most commonly antiques or objects containing protected materials such as ivory, tortoiseshell or certain woods, need an export licence before they can leave the UK. The most frequent example is a CITES licence for items made from or containing endangered species material. We'll tell you at the quote stage if your item needs one, and we can apply for it on your behalf. A CITES licence typically takes around 8 weeks to process, so it's worth building this into your timeline if you're buying something that might be affected.
Can MBE Kilburn store my auction items before delivery?
Yes. We'll hold your item in storage free of charge for up to one month after collection. This is useful if you're not ready to receive it yet, or if you're buying across multiple sales and want everything consolidated into a single delivery, which we can also arrange across different auction houses. For buyers who purchase regularly, opening an MBE mailbox account means every item you win goes to one address by default, rather than you having to coordinate each collection separately.
How long does delivery take after I win an item at auction?
Once your item is dispatched, UK mainland delivery usually takes 1-2 days. International delivery timelines vary and depend on customs processing in the destination country, which is outside our control; we'll give you the best estimate we can at the point of dispatch.
What happens with customs for international auction deliveries?
For international orders, we prepare the specific customs declaration required for your item, whether that's antiques, collectables, watches or jewellery, each of which is documented differently. Import duty and VAT are set by the destination country and are the buyer's responsibility; we're not able to estimate these on your behalf as they vary by country and item category. See our international auction shipping page for more on shipping overseas.
Are there any items that need someone present to receive them?
Yes. If you've purchased a bladed item or weapon at auction, i.e. swords, knives, militaria and similar, UK regulations require an adult to be present at the point of delivery to sign for and receive it. We'll let you know at the quote stage if this applies to your item.
Which auction houses does MBE Kilburn work with?
We're an official shipping partner for Bonhams (Bond Street and Knightsbridge) and Olympia Auctions, meaning we hold a standing collection and shipping arrangement with both. Beyond our partner houses, we collect from and deliver to any auction house in the UK, and can ship your item to any address worldwide.
Auction shipping volumes at MBE Kilburn
We ship well over 600 auction items each year at our Kilburn store, so you can rest assured that any item you buy and ship with us will be well cared for.