Factory Direct Shipping & Tracking Guide

Factory Direct is our streamlined shipping method that sends your unmanned technology components directly from our specialized Hong Kong (HK) warehouse to your door. This allows us to offer a wider inventory and competitive pricing by reducing middle-man handling.

🛡️ No Import Fees or VAT Surprises

A common concern with international shipping is unexpected costs.

All-Inclusive Pricing: The price you pay at checkout includes all UK VAT and import duties.
Handled by Us: We manage the entire customs clearance process. You will not receive a bill from the courier or HMRC for your "Factory Direct" order.

Tracking Your Order: The "Pre-Advice" Phase

When your order ships, you will receive a tracking number for Royal Mail or Evri. If you check the tracking and see "Collected" or "We have your parcel" while the item is still in transit from China, please note the following:

The Digital Handover (Pre-Advice)

This status is a "Pre-Advice" record. Our international carrier creates an electronic record for the UK courier to reserve your tracking number.

The Status: Often shows as "Collected" or "Sender preparing item."
The Reality: The parcel is currently in international transit or awaiting a flight from Hong Kong.
The Gap: You may not see a new update for 7–14 days while the parcel moves through international logistics.

Shipping Timeline & Metrics

Stage	Description	Duration	Tracking Status
1. Dispatch	Item leaves our HK Warehouse.	1-2 Days	"Shipping Information Received"
2. Transit	Parcel is in international transit.	7-20 Days	Static: (No updates)
3. Clearance	Handled by our team at the UK border.	1-3 Days	"Arrived in UK" / "Sorted"
4. Final Mile	Local courier (Evri/RM) delivers to you.	1-2 Days	"Out for Delivery"

Key Takeaway: Total delivery time is typically 10–25 days. If your tracking hasn't moved for 15 days, it is likely still in the "Transit" stage and is perfectly on schedule.

If you have multiple items in your basked and some are not in stock in our UK warehouse you will see that the order will be split into two shipments, one from our UK warehouse (that will arrive much faster) and another from our "factory direct" warehouse overseas.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Why is my Evri/Royal Mail tracking not updating? A: This is normal for Factory Direct orders. Your tracking will remain static while the parcel is in international transit. It will update the moment it is scanned at a UK sorting hub.

Q: Will I have to pay extra VAT or Customs charges? A: No. All orders are shipped DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). We handle all taxes and customs fees before the item reaches you.

Q: Can I change my delivery address? A: Once the item has left our HK warehouse, we cannot change the address. You can, however, use the carrier's app (Evri or Royal Mail) to redirect to a neighbor or safe place once it arrives in the UK.