By law, what is the latest that delivery must be made?
Under Article 16 of the Distance Contracts Regulation, fulfilment of an order cannot exceed thirty days. If this period is exceeded, the consumer may terminate the contract. Where performance has become impossible, the seller is obliged to inform within three days and to refund all payments collected within fourteen days at the latest. The goods being out of stock is not considered impossibility.
The Regulation sets a clear ceiling for delivery: the order must be fulfilled within the promised period and in any case not exceeding thirty days. The period runs from the moment the contract is concluded.
If the period is exceeded, your rights are as follows:
- To terminate the contract and demand a refund of the amount you paid.
- To demand the refund, without delay, of all payments collected including delivery costs, from the receipt of the termination notice.
An important detail from the seller's perspective: the goods being out of stock is not considered impossibility of performance. That is, the claim of being out of stock does not by itself release the seller from the delivery obligation. In a case of genuine impossibility, the seller must notify the situation within three days and refund the amount within fourteen days at the latest.
In practice orders arrive much sooner; these periods are the statutory upper limits. If you think there is a delay, write to us with your order number; the terms are on the delivery and shipping page.