Shipping and Returns Policy

SHIPPING & RETURNS POLICY

Last Updated: 14 September 2026

Thank you for supporting our studio. Because our art prints are limited editions, we take extraordinary care in packaging and transit. Please review our international shipping, customs, and returns policies below before placing your order.

1. International Shipping & Delivery

We ship our limited-edition prints to collectors worldwide from our studio in London, UK.

  • Processing Times: Standard orders are securely packed and dispatched within 3–5 business days. If an item is a pre-order or printed to order, the specific timeline will be noted on the product page.

  • Courier Partners: We partner with premium global couriers (typically [DHL / FedEx / UPS / Royal Mail]) to ensure your artwork is handled with care.

  • Tracking: All international shipments are fully tracked and require a signature upon delivery. You will receive a tracking link via email as soon as your order leaves our studio.

2. International Customs, Duties, and Taxes

When purchasing artwork internationally, please be aware that your package may be subject to import duties, customs taxes, and brokerage fees levied by your home country.

  • Customer Responsibility: All customs duties, local import taxes (such as VAT or GST), and handling fees are the sole responsibility of the buyer. These are not included in the artwork price or shipping fee paid at our checkout.

  • Customs Delays: We accurately declare the full purchase value of the artwork on all international customs documentation. We cannot mark shipments as "gifts" to bypass taxes, as this is illegal. Please note that customs clearance processes vary by country and may occasionally cause delivery delays beyond our control.

  • Refused Shipments: If you refuse a shipment due to unexpected customs charges, you will be responsible for the original shipping costs, any import fees incurred on the package, and the cost of returning the package to our studio. These amounts will be deducted from your refund.

3. Damage During International Transit

We pack our prints using heavy-duty, archival-safe materials (such as reinforced tubes or rigid flat-packs) to prevent bending and moisture damage. However, if your artwork arrives damaged due to courier handling, we will resolve it immediately under the following strict protocol:

Because limited editions cannot simply be reprinted without breaking the edition run, we manage transit damage as spoiled/damaged stock:

  1. Report Within 48 Hours: You must notify us via email at hello@ak-ia.com within 48 hours of delivery.

  2. Provide Photographic Evidence: Your email must include clear photos of:

    • The external packaging showing the damage and the shipping label.

    • The internal packaging.

    • The damage to the print itself, including a clear photo of the edition number (e.g., #5/50).

  3. Resolution (Replacement or Refund):

    • Once the damage is verified, we will instruct you on how to securely destroy or return the damaged print so we can officially log it as "spoiled" in our inventory ledger.

    • If a replacement print from the same edition is available, we will ship it to you at no extra cost.

    • If the edition is completely sold out, we will issue a full refund (including your original shipping costs) or offer an Artist Proof (AP) if available.

4. Returns and Exchanges

Due to the fragile and highly collectible nature of limited-edition art prints, all international sales are final except in cases of transit damage or studio error.

  • Change of Mind: We do not accept returns or exchanges for a change of mind once an international order has shipped. We encourage you to review print dimensions and details carefully before purchasing.

  • Cancellations: If you need to cancel an order, you must contact us within 24 hours of placement. Once an item has been packaged or dispatched, it can no longer be cancelled.

5. Contact Our Studio

If you have any questions about shipping to your specific country, or if you need assistance with a delivery, please reach out to us:

Email: hello@ak-ia.com
Response Time: We aim to reply to all inquiries within 24 hours Monday to Friday.