Distant Brits

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Just to say that the mince pies arrived yesterday and in one piece! We enjoyed one box already with...
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Phillipa, Bahamas

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I reduce my shipping costs?
Broadly speaking, the shipping price per kilo reduces significantly the more you send. Ideas to reduce your shipping costs include: (1) Place a combined order with friends or colleagues. Combined orders will benefit from reduced and shared shipping costs. (2) Order smaller volumes of each product to reduce the overall weight of your package. (3) Look for products packed in plastic containers as opposed to glass. Glass is significantly heavier than plastic. (4) Become a Distant Brit Agent. By placing one order on behalf of your network of friends and colleagues, Distant Brit Agents (DBAs) earn commission which can be spent on our site. DBAs earn free products AND save on their shipping costs!

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What is a Distant Brit Agent?
A Distant Brit Agent (DBA) places a collective order at www.distantbrits.co.uk on behalf of their friends and colleagues. Collective orders are more economical to ship as the price per kilo decreases with increased weight and the total shipping cost is shared amongst all the individuals. The DBA earns commission for every pound spent and is paid in the form of vouchers to spend at Distant Brits. Our top earning DBAs shop with us for all of their favourite products free of charge! If you would like to become a DBA or would like more information, please email us at admin@distantbrits.co.uk or contact us through our site.

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How do I become a Distant Brit Agent?
If you are interested in becoming a Distant Brit Agent (DBA), please email us at admin@distantbrits.co.uk or contact us through our site. DBAs place a single order on behalf of their friends and colleagues and earn commission for every pound spent on products.

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Which shipping options are available?
Depending where you would like your purchases to be delivered we use Royal Mail Standard Parcel Service (for UK deliveries only), Parcel Force Standard Parcels service, Parcel Force International Scheduled service and Royal Mail International Signed For®. Often, you can choose the best option for your individual needs.

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Why do Distant Brits offer different delivery services?
Distant Brits Limited aims to provide our customers with a choice of cost-effective and reliable shipping options. Local conditions vary around the world and we believe that you are the best person to choose the most appropriate method to ensure safe delivery of your purchases. If there are different services available to your country of residence, you will be asked to choose one when you checkout of our store. Please read a brief overview of each service before making your choice.

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How much will it cost to deliver my shopping?
Delivery costs vary depending upon which country you live in. Please see Delivery Costs for our shipping price guide.

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Which credit or debit cards do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Visa Delta, Visa Electron, Visa Purchasing, JCB, Switch and Solo cards.

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How safe are my payment card details when shopping with Distant Brits Limited?
For your security we use WorldPay to process your payments. WorldPay is part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Distant Brits Limited does not have access to your card details at any time.

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Which currency will I be charged in?
You can choose to display our prices in US Dollars, Japanese Yen, South African Rand or Euros. Your purchases will, however, appear in UK Pounds Sterling on your statement.

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I want something that is not on your site. Can you get it for me?
We'll certainly try! We have an enormous range of products for you to choose from, but if there's something you want that we don't have, simply email us at admin@distantbrits.co.uk and send us your request. We will do our very best to find it for you.

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Who, or what, is WorldPay?
Accepting all major cards, WorldPay, wholly owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland, accepts and processes your credit card payment on our behalf. We have chosen WorldPay for your, and our, protection as their service means that you are 100% protected from any misuse of your card and it also means that we do not have access to your credit card details at any time.

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My invoice address is different to my delivery address. Is this OK?
Yes. As long as you give us your invoice address, we can dispatch your purchases to wherever you wish. Once you have registered with us, you can store up to 5 different delivery addresses.

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Are my purchases subject to import restrictions?
Yes. We will endeavour to advise you of any products that are prohibited by the Customs officials in your delivery country, however, you are advised to check locally before placing your order. Please see Shipping and Returns.

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I would like to send products to friends or relatives that live abroad. Can I do this?
Yes, absolutely! We will happily send products on your behalf. Alternatively, you can buy them a gift voucher and let them choose their own products. Please see Gift Vouchers FAQ for more details.

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Can you ship food to the USA?
Yes. The US Government has introduced new laws about sending food and drink to the USA, which states that parcels containing food can only be sent once the US authorities have been pre-advised. The FDA issue a ‘prior notification reference number’ to us which we include in your documentation, thereby ensuring your parcel is delivered quickly and safely.

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Can I recycle your packaging?
Yes. Distant Brits is very eco-friendly. All of our outer boxes are recyclable and the 'corn chips' are completely disolvable. Simply place the chips in your sink, run the tap, and they disappear!

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My purchases have arrived, but have been damaged in transit. What do I do now?
In the event that the goods when delivered to you are damaged please notify us by email within 3 days of receipt specifying the damage. Please retain the damaged goods as delivered with all original packaging (where possible), including the packing slip and details of the damage to the goods. Please read Shipping and Returns.

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Where do you ship Bacon, Sausages and Cheese to and how do you deliver it?
Our Fresh bacon, sausages and cheese are available for delivery to member states of the EU and Switzerland. Please do not order this product if you live outside of the EU as we cannot ship it to you due to customs restrictions. Fresh products will be chilled and packed in polystyrene boxes containing disposable freezer packs to keep it cold during shipping. Our range of fresh products are provided ready to go into your freezer. IMPORTANT: You must choose “Bacon and Haggis to Europe” as your shipping option at checkout and ensure that somebody to be available to accept delivery of this product. If you are ordering other products for delivery to Europe (except Haggis), it is generally much cheaper to place two separate orders as all other goods are shipped at a flat rate shipping charge.

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Where do you ship MacSween haggis to and how do you deliver it?
Our MACSWEEN Haggis is available for delivery to the EU and Switzerland only. Please do not order this product if you live outside of the EU as we cannot ship it to you due to customs restrictions. Haggis will be shipped frozen and packed in polystyrene boxes containing disposable freezer packs to keep it cold during shipping. IMPORTANT: You must choose “Bacon and Haggis to Europe” as your shipping option at checkout and ensure that somebody to be available to accept delivery of this product. If you are ordering other products for delivery to Europe (except Bacon), it is generally much cheaper to place two separate orders as all other goods are shipped at a flat rate shipping charge. If you are planning a dinner for a number of guests and / or would like fresh (not frozen) Haggis, please contact us for an individual quotation for your exact requirements.

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What is a "low order fee"? At checkout, £5 has been added to my bill. Why?
If your total shopping bill comes to less than £10 (excluding shipping), then a £5 low order fee will be added to your bill. This charge is to cover our packaging and administration costs. If you do not want to pay this fee, simply increase your shopping bill to £10 or more.

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How do I cook my Macsween Haggis?
The good news is that haggis is already cooked and simply requires reheating. Each haggis has reheating instructions on the label and we also send you a "haggis guide" leaflet.
Haggis can be reheated in a pan of water on the stove, in a microwave, or in a dish of water in the oven. It depends how large the haggis is as to how long it takes, but it is roughly 45 minutes per pound in the oven and a 1Lb haggis takes about 6 minutes to microwave.

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I live in Australia. What can I have delivered to me?
Australia has particularly strict rules governing the import of food stuffs which are rigidly enforced. Please see click here for further information.

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