Matthews Aquatic Paradise Ltd
Last Updated: 26 June 2026
This Shipping & Delivery Policy explains how Matthews Aquatic Paradise Ltd processes, dispatches, and delivers orders placed through our website.
By placing an order with us, you agree to this Shipping & Delivery Policy together with our Terms of Sale and Terms of Use.
We currently deliver throughout:
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland (where available)
Selected UK offshore locations (delivery charges may vary)
At present, we do not routinely offer international shipping unless specifically stated on our website.
Certain products, including live aquatic livestock and plants, may have delivery restrictions depending on destination and courier availability.
Orders are normally processed:
Monday to Friday
Excluding UK public holidays
Most in-stock orders are dispatched within 1–3 working days.
Orders placed after business hours, at weekends, or on public holidays will be processed on the next working day.
During busy periods, product launches, promotional events, or adverse weather conditions, processing times may be slightly longer.
Estimated delivery times after dispatch are:
| Delivery Service | Estimated Delivery |
|---|---|
| Standard Delivery | 2–5 working days |
| Express Delivery (where available) | 1–2 working days |
| Large or Heavy Items | 3–7 working days |
Delivery estimates are not guaranteed and may vary depending on courier services and your location.
Shipping costs are calculated during checkout based on:
Delivery location
Parcel size
Parcel weight
Courier selected
Products ordered
Any applicable shipping charges will be clearly displayed before payment.
Where Matthews Aquatic Paradise Ltd supplies live fish, shrimp, snails, or other aquatic livestock:
Livestock is carefully packed using specialist insulated packaging where appropriate.
Dispatch is normally limited to specific days to minimise transit times.
We may delay shipment during extreme weather conditions to protect animal welfare.
Someone should be available to receive the delivery.
Livestock should be unpacked and acclimated promptly upon arrival.
Failure to accept delivery on the first attempt may affect any Live Arrival Guarantee that may be offered.
Live aquatic plants are packed to minimise stress during transport.
As plants are living organisms:
Minor leaf damage may occur during transit.
Plants may shed older leaves while adapting to new aquarium conditions.
Colour variations may occur depending on lighting and growing conditions.
These natural changes are not considered defects.
Equipment, décor, filters, lighting, aquascaping materials, substrates, foods, treatments, and accessories are securely packaged before dispatch.
Please inspect all items upon delivery.
If packaging appears damaged, please photograph the parcel before opening whenever possible.
Where your order contains products held in different warehouses or requiring specialist handling, your order may arrive in multiple shipments.
Additional delivery charges will not normally apply unless agreed in advance.
While we work with reputable courier partners, delays can occasionally occur due to:
Severe weather
Traffic disruption
Industrial action
Courier network issues
Customs or transport restrictions
High seasonal demand
Matthews Aquatic Paradise Ltd cannot accept liability for delays outside our reasonable control.
Customers are responsible for providing accurate delivery details.
We cannot accept responsibility for delays or failed deliveries resulting from:
Incorrect addresses
Incomplete addresses
Invalid postcodes
Incorrect contact details
Additional delivery charges may apply where parcels require re-delivery.
If no one is available to receive your parcel:
The courier may leave the parcel in a safe place.
A delivery card may be left.
Re-delivery may be arranged.
Collection from a local depot or parcel shop may be required.
For live livestock, failure to receive the first delivery attempt may invalidate any live arrival guarantee.
Risk in the goods passes to you once delivery has been completed.
Ownership of goods transfers only after full payment has been received.
If your order arrives damaged:
Photograph the parcel immediately.
Photograph the damaged goods.
Keep all original packaging.
Contact us within 48 hours of delivery.
We may request additional information to assist with our courier claim process.
If any items are missing from your order, please notify us within 48 hours of receiving your delivery.
We will investigate and resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Orders returned to us because of:
Incorrect address details
Failure to collect
Refused delivery
Multiple failed delivery attempts
may be subject to additional delivery charges before re-dispatch.
Refunds may be reduced to reflect any costs already incurred where permitted by law.
Certain oversized products may require:
Specialist courier services
Kerbside delivery
Additional delivery time
Delivery appointments
Customers are responsible for ensuring there is suitable access to the delivery location.
We are not responsible for delays or failure to deliver caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:
Extreme weather
Flooding
Fire
Pandemic restrictions
Government action
Courier disruption
Power failures
Transport network failures
Matthews Aquatic Paradise Ltd reserves the right to amend this Shipping & Delivery Policy at any time.
The latest version will always be published on this website.
If you have any questions regarding delivery or shipping, please contact:
Matthews Aquatic Paradise Ltd
Email: info@matthewsaquaticparadise.co.uk (replace if different)
Note: This Shipping & Delivery Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Terms of Use, Terms of Sale, Returns & Refunds Policy, and Website Disclaimer. It is intended to support compliance with UK consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.
