Shipping

UK DELIVERY

Shipping is an integrated part of our online shopping experience which is why our standard shipping service is included in every order at no extra cost. We try to keep our shipping options simple, less time in administration means that we can keep our costs low. It is highly likely that you will need to sign to receive your parcel.

1. Royal Mail (under 2kg)

This is the default shipping option for orders under 2kg (not including sleeping bags and other bulky items), you do not need to choose it. The minimum service level you can expect is 1st Class Post. 99% of our customers find this service is all they need, all orders placed before 2pm Monday - Friday will go out the same day and although it is not guaranteed there is a good chance your order will arrive next day. The majority of orders are sent by 1st Class Recorded Signed for, if you are not at home to sign for your delivery the postie will leave a note and you will be able to collect your parcel from your local post office.

2. UKMail - Next Working Day (over £20 under 5kg)

This optional service will appear in your shopping cart if your order is over £20 and under 5kg. As with all our standard services there is no extra charge but you will get a next working day service. UKMail is not Royal Mail, they are different companies!

Remember, if you order:

• before 2pm Monday - Thursday UKMail will try to deliver between 08:00 - 18:00 the next day.
• before 2pm on Friday UKMail will try to delivery the following Monday.
• Saturday and Sunday UKMail will try to delivery the following Tuesday.

IMPORTANT - Please make sure someone will be available to sign for your UKMail delivery (this can be your work address). If you were not in for the initial delivery attempt your UKMail guy will pop a card through your door and automatically attempt to re-deliver the following working day - that's how keen he is. If you know you will not be in for the second attempt please contact us immediately.

If you wish to request a further re-delivery attempt, or if you wish to collect your item(s) from your local depot, there is a telephone number on the card for you to call to make the necessary arrangements. Please call the number provided before attempting to collect, as time restrictions may apply.

When collecting a parcel from UKMail, proof of identity such as a driving licence or passport will be required. If someone else is collecting on your behalf, appropriate authorization will be needed.

Note: We believe that the Royal Mail offer a better service to our customers in both the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and the Scottish Highlands and Islands, therefore UKMail will not appear as an option to these destinations.

3. CityLink - Next Working Day (over 5kg)

This is the default shipping option for orders over 5kg, you do not need to choose it or pay any extra. This is a next working day service.

Remember, if you order:

• before 2pm Monday - Thursday CityLink will try to deliver between 07:30 - 17:30 the next day.
• before 2pm on Friday CityLink will try to delivery the following Monday.
• Saturday and Sunday CityLink will try to delivery the following Tuesday.

IMPORTANT - Please make sure someone will be available to sign for your CityLink delivery (this can be your work address). If this is not possible the courier will leave a card at your premises and you can arrange to pick it up from your local CityLink depot at no cost. The cost of the first delivery attempt is on us, however there is a charge of £6 for a second attempt if you cannot get to the depot.

Obviously it is easier for everyone if you plan your delivery before placing your order.

Track your CityLink parcel

Your CityLink parcel can be tracked from the evening after you have placed your order. You will need your order reference number which on the email confirmation that is sent to you after you have placed your order. Visit the CityLink website and input your reference number (incuding the AK suffix) into the Track Your Parcel box.

4. Alpkit Special pre 1PM.

For when time is of the essence, this paid for service is offered to mainland UK customers in addition to the standard delivery services listed above.

To select this option visit the 'Special Stuff' category and add it to your shopping cart just like a regular product. Somebody must be in to sign for the delivery.

If you have any questions we encourage you to ask us.

European and International Delivery

We send small items using Royal Mail International Signed For delivery. These will take 5-7 working days to arrive in most European countries and you will have to sign to receive the goods. Larger items, including crash pads go by FedEx courier. For more information see our  International Orders page.

BFPO Deliveries

We have no problem sending orders to BFPO addresses but it is not guaranteed that we can despatch your order VAT free.

Within the EU: Please select United Kingdom as your country and BFPO as your county and order as normal using either the online store or telephone. If your BFPO address is eligible for VAT exempt sales you must fax us a copy of the VAT exemption form signed by your CO. We will despatch the goods once we have received the form.

Outside the EU: If your BFPO address is outside the EU you will not be charged VAT. However, if it is not obvious that the destination is outside the EU then we will need a copy of a VAT exemption form signed by your CO. We will not ship orders until we have received this form.

The following BFPO addresses are subject to VAT – BFPO 6, 8, 15, 49, 105 to 150, 801 to 825 and all BFPO ships.  All remaining BFPO addresses are exempt tax under article 77/388/EEC.  To meet the regulations imposed on us by the Inland Revenue you will need to post a copy of the exemption form to the address listed below.  Customs & Excise in Rheindahlen have advised that this form can be obtained from most Messes or can found in SOBAG 5205 Annex C.  As soon as we receive this form we will credit the Tax back to the account initially charged.