GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE (UK)

Last Updated: October 2025

1. Purpose and Scope

These General Terms and Conditions of Sale (the “GTCS”) govern the sale of wines and spirits (collectively, “Products”) by Selection Sommelier (the “Seller”, “we”, “us”) to any consumer (the “Customer”, “you”) residing in the United Kingdom, via the website selectionsommelier.co.uk (the “Site”).

Important Notice on Jurisdiction: Although this website is directed at UK consumers, the Contract of Sale is concluded in France, where our stock is held and managed. By placing an order, you acknowledge that the transaction involves the cross-border shipment of goods from France to the UK under the terms specified below.

2. Company Information

The Site is operated by a French legal entity. We maintain a correspondence address in the UK for customer service purposes, but all commercial operations are centralized in France.

  • Legal Entity (The Seller):
    • Company Name: Selection Sommelier
    • Registered Office: 27 rue de la Ronzy, 38640 Claix, FRANCE
    • Registration Number (SIRET):
    • VAT Number:
  • UK Correspondence Address (Mail Only – No Stock Held Here):
    • Selection Sommelier
    • International House, 66 Lavender Hill
    • London, SW11 5RQ, United Kingdom
    • Note: Do not send returns to this address.
  • Customer Service:
    • Email: london@selectionsommelier.co.uk
    • Phone: +44 7446 971044

3. Age Restriction (Challenge 25 Policy)

Strictly 18+ Only. It is an offence under UK law to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18.

  • By placing an order, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age.
  • Delivery Checks: Our logistics partners operate a mandatory “Challenge 25” policy. If the person receiving the parcel appears to be under the age of 25, they will be required to produce valid photo identification (Passport or Driving Licence) proving they are over 18.
  • If valid ID cannot be provided, the delivery will be refused and the goods returned to the depot.

4. Product Information, Pricing and Taxes

4.1. Currency

All prices on the Site are displayed in Pounds Sterling (£/GBP).

4.2. “Landed Price” Guarantee (DDP Shipment)

We ship under the Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) Incoterm. This is a key commitment to our UK customers to ensure a seamless experience.

  • Final Price: The amount paid at checkout is the final and total price.
  • What is included: The price includes the wine, shipping costs, UK VAT (20%), UK Excise Duties, and all import customs clearance fees.
  • No Hidden Fees: You will NEVER be asked to pay additional taxes, duties, or handling fees by the courier upon delivery. We (the Seller) act as the importer of record for tax purposes and handle all payments to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

5. Order Process and Formation of Contract

To comply with licensing laws, the legal “appropriation” of goods to the contract happens in France.

  1. Order Placement: You place your order and make payment in GBP on the Site. This constitutes an “offer to buy”.
  2. Appropriation (The “Sale”): The contract is formed and the sale is legally concluded in France at the moment we identify and select (appropriate) the specific bottles from our stock in Claix to fulfil your order.
  3. Dispatch: Once appropriated, we arrange for the shipment of your goods from France to your UK address.
  4. Confirmation: You will receive an email confirming dispatch.

6. Payment

  • We accept secure payments via Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
  • Payment is debited in GBP (£) at the time of order validation.
  • Transactions are processed securely via our payment partner (Stripe), ensuring your data protection.

7. Delivery

7.1. Origin of Goods

All orders are dispatched directly from our climate-controlled cellars in France. We do not hold stock at our UK correspondence address.

7.2. Delivery Times

Due to cross-border logistics and customs clearance, our delivery times differ slightly from domestic UK sellers:

  • Standard Delivery: Approximately 5 to 10 working days from dispatch.
  • Express Delivery: Approximately 2 to 4 working days (where available).
  • Note: While we pre-pay all customs duties to speed up the process, occasional random inspections by UK Border Force may cause minor delays beyond our control.

7.3. Packaging

We use specialized, high-resistance, double-wall cardboard packaging with reinforced inserts to prevent breakage and thermal shock during transit.

8. Returns, Cancellations, and Refunds

8.1. Right to Cancel (Cooling-off Period)

In accordance with the UK Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have the right to cancel your order within 14 days of receiving the goods without giving any reason.

8.2. How to Arrange a Return

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: Do NOT return any bottles to our London office (Lavender Hill). This is a virtual office and they cannot accept parcels. Any goods sent there will be rejected or destroyed, and no refund will be processed.

Procedure:

  1. Email london@selectionsommelier.co.uk within 14 days of receipt to notify us of your return.
  2. We will provide you with:
    • A Return Authorisation Number.
    • The correct address for our Logistics Hub (either in the UK or France, depending on current logistics routing).
  3. You must send the goods back within 14 days of notifying us.

8.3. Return Costs

  • Change of Mind: If you are returning goods simply because you changed your mind, you are responsible for the cost of return shipping. Please note that shipping wine safely is expensive.
  • Faulty/Broken Goods: If the wine is corked, damaged, or incorrect, we will cover the return costs or provide a full refund without requiring a return (photo evidence may be required).

8.4. Condition of Goods

Bottles must be returned unopened, with seals and labels intact, and preferably in their original protective packaging. We reserve the right to deduct value for handling that goes beyond what is necessary to establish the nature of the goods.

9. Liability and Risk

  • Risk: The risk of loss or damage to the goods passes to you (the Customer) only when you (or a third party indicated by you) acquire physical possession of the goods.
  • Ownership: You own the wine once we have received payment in full and the goods have been dispatched from our French warehouse.

10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

Disputes: We will always strive to resolve disputes amicably via our London support team. If a legal dispute arises, you may bring proceedings in the courts of either France or the UK.

Governing Law: These GTCS are governed by French Law, as the place of the contract’s formation is France.

Consumer Protection: However, as a consumer habitually residing in the UK, you also benefit from the mandatory provisions of the law of your country of residence (specifically the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015). Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a UK consumer.