Terms and Conditions

Smythson & CITES

The ‘Washington’ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, more commonly known as CITES, aims to protect certain plants and animals by regulating and monitoring their international trade to prevent it reaching unsustainable levels. The Convention entered into force in 1975, and the UK became a Party in 1976. There are more than 168 Parties to the Convention. The CITES Secretariat is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

How CITES works

CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system. Each Party to the Convention must designate one or more Management Authorities in charge of administering that licensing system and one or more Scientific Authorities to advise them on the effects of trade on the status of the species.
The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need.

Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.

Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.

Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade. Changes to Appendix III follow a distinct procedure from changes to Appendices I and II, as each party’s is entitled to make unilateral amendments to it.

Sustainability

Smythson only produces merchandise using skins from sustainable sources we do not use animals listed in appendix I of the convention. In the case of animals listed in appendix II of the Cites convention skins are imported into the EU accompanied by an export certificate issued by the government of the country of origin.

The convention provides a framework for legislation and process in the countries that are a party. Hence the actual rules and legislation vary from country to country.

The Smythson website only sells merchandise made from CITES listed animals within the United Kingdom and European Union. We do not ship to any other country under any circumstances.

Guarantee and Online Returns

We take pride in the quality of our products, and our policy is to ensure that all products supplied are delivered in perfect condition. If for any reason the product does not meet your expectations, please return it with proof of purchase within 30 days and we will arrange for an immediate exchange or refund. We regret that we are unable to offer refunds on diaries or items that have been personalized. This policy does not affect your statutory rights.

In addition to your 30-day returns guarantee, under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000, customers in the European Union are entitled to a right to cancel the contract within a period of 7 working days, beginning with the day after the day on which the item is delivered. This applies to all of our products.

To cancel the contract, please pack the relevant item securely and send it to us with the delivery slip so that we receive it within 7 working days after the day of the date that the item was delivered to you. Please note that you will be responsible for the costs of returning the goods to us.

As soon as we receive notice of your cancellation of this order, we will refund the relevant part of the purchase price for that item.

All Smythson products are guaranteed against defects in workmanship for one year from the date of purchase (this in no way affects your statutory rights). However, in the unlikely event that your Smythson product does not match up to our exacting standards, we will try our hardest to put matters right.

Should any manufacturing fault appear on your Smythson product within twelve months of purchase, please return it to us with proof of purchase. Where possible we will try to repair it, or if it cannot be repaired, we will replace it for you.

For any damage resulting from normal "wear and tear", an accident, or damage that has occurred outside of our guarantee period, please contact our Customer Service team who will be pleased to provide you with a quote for repair where possible. Please be aware that repairs may take up to twelve weeks.

For all Retail returns, please refer to your store receipt for Terms and Conditions.

Product Measurements

All product measurements quoted on the Smythson website are approximate to the nearest half centimetre or quarter inch.

Personalized Stationery

For personalized stationery orders,  full payment will be taken on placement of the order.

CHANGES TO THE ORDER
In some circumstances Smythson will issue a proof for your approval prior to the printing of your stationery. Once a proof has been approved any amendments to your order that require a new proof will incur a minimum charge of £25 or $50.
Smythson will not accept any responsibility for errors on proofs that have been signed as correct.

CANCELLATIONS
Cancellation will incur the cost of all work completed to the date of notice of cancellation. This may include preparation of proofs or artwork and all hand finishes; hand engraving, bordering, gilding, deckling, and envelope tissue lining.

REFUNDS
Personalized bespoke stationery is made to order. That’s why we regret that we are unable to offer refunds or exchanges.
However, if we have made an error in fulfilling your order, we shall promptly correct or replace the items supplied to you. This policy does not affect your statutory rights. Complaints regarding personalized bespoke stationery items must be made in writing within 30 days of delivery or they will not be considered.

Privacy Policy

Please click here for full details of our Privacy Policy.

Losses

We will not be responsible for any business loss (including loss of profits, revenue, contracts, anticipated savings, data, goodwill or wasted expenditure) or any other indirect or consequential loss that is not reasonably foreseeable to both you and us when you commenced using the website or when a contract for the sale of goods by us to you was formed. We do not limit in any way our liability by law for death or personal injury caused from our negligence or breach of duty or caused by our gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

Alteration of Service or Amendments to the Conditions

We reserve the right to make changes to our website, policies, and these terms and conditions at any time. You will be subject to the terms and conditions in force at the time that you use the website or that you order goods from us, unless any change to those policies or these conditions is required to be made by law or government authority (in which case it will apply to orders previously placed by you). If any of these conditions is deemed invalid, void, or for any reason unenforceable, that condition will be deemed severable and will not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining condition.

Events beyond our reasonable control

We will not be held responsible for any delay or failure to comply with our obligations under these conditions if the delay or failure arises from any cause which is beyond our reasonable control. This condition does not affect your statutory rights.

Waiver

If you breach these conditions and we take no action, we will still be entitled to use our rights and remedies in any other situation where you breach these conditions.

Governing law and jurisdiction

These conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England, and you agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

Last updated: 4th May 2012