Shipping and Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track my order?

Yes, of course! You will receive an automated email after you make a purchase. It has your shipping details and tracking number with a weblink to your shipping provider. Depending on where you live in the world and the total cost of your order, we use three main carriers – Australia Post, DHL eCommerce and FedEx. Click here to track your order.

What if my order is delayed or damaged? 

Rest assured, we are available to help at every touchpoint of your order. We will look after you if something goes wrong whilst in transit. If there is a delay with the movement of your parcel, we are available and will contact the shipping provider. Just reach out via our Contact Us page. Kylie will be more than happy to assist and will jump to action promptly. We’ve got you!

If your order arrives and it is damaged, contact us immediately. Please keep all packaging and take photographs of the damage. You can email your concerns to gday@blackopaldirect and we will promptly reply with our Returns Procedure and a solution. For peace of mind, please read more about Our Promise to you. We can assure you, you’ll be looked after promptly. No waiting weeks for a solution, we’ll have it sorted in an attentive, timely manner.

Is my opal insured while it’s traveling to me? 

Yes, everything is insured! Your opal is packaged securely and beautifully by our shipping wizards. All orders are shipped safely in generic padded bags or boxes. We use a few different shipping carriers depending on where your opal is being delivered, as well as its value. All orders/parcels have tracking numbers and all items are insured for their full value. When purchasing from us, please fill in as much detail as possible. Our shipping elf confirms all addresses through Google Maps and conducts a thorough check of each and every address, just to be sure. Please shop in peace knowing your parcel is insured, should something happen while in transit. 

Overseas Shipping

Delivery Services

DHL – Standard eCommerce Shipping

  • Flat rate anywhere in the world for $15USD.
  • This service is available for parcels valued under $500USD. 
  • Your parcel will be shipped via the DHL eCommerce service. This means DHL will handle your package until it reaches your country of origin. Once it lands in your country, your parcel is transferred to your local postal service where they handle and deliver it to you. 
  • Please allow 10-15 working days for delivery. 
  • PO Boxes can be used with this service. 
  • A tracking number will be provided via automated email once we have shipped it.. 
  • There is no signature on delivery. 
  • You can track your parcel via the DHL link we send you and also via your local postal service once it’s arrived in your country. 

FedEx – Express Service

  • Flat rate anywhere in the world for $50USD.
  • This service is available for orders valued over $500USD. 
  • This is a courier service and in most cases your parcel will arrive within 5-7 days. This service is fully trackable and you’ll receive an automated email directly from FedEx with the tracking number and status once the parcel is shipped. 
  • All items are insured for the value of the parcel and all deliveries must be signed for. 
  • PO Boxes cannot be used for this service. 
  • Please note there may be additional paperwork to fill out so it’s important that you do keep track of your parcel just in case their emails, alerting you, are sent to your junk.

Customs, Duties and Taxes

Important read-before-impulse-buying information.

Any charges associated with customs and duties are your responsibility. 

There are different customs practices for different countries. If you are unsure, please check with your relevant customs agents in your country. 

We provide suitable documentation on all items shipped internationally. 

For your reference the Harmonized Tariff Code of our plain products are as follows;

  • Rough Opal – 7103.10.2000 
  • Loose polished opal – 7103.99.1000
  • Opal in silver jewelry – 7113.11.0000
  • Opal in gold jewelry – 7113.19.0000

If I live in the US – What Customs Duties and Taxes do I need to pay? 

You will need to pay the troll under the bridge three lemons before we can get your opal to you. Just kidding! 

When shipping to the USA all rough opal and loose polished gems (not set in jewelry), are subject to the United States and Australia Free Trade Agreement, and have no duty payable. There may, however, be other inspection fees levied such as the Merchandise Processing fee.

In the USA, for orders over USD $2,000 you will need to complete and lodge a customs declaration form. FedEx will contact you directly with instructions. Without this form, Fedex will not deliver your opal and it may be sent back to Australia at your cost. 

For your reference, the Harmonized Tariff Code for Rough Opal is 7103.10.2000 and the code for Cut and Polished Opal is 7103.99.1000. 

If I live in the UK – What Customs Duties and Taxes do I need to pay?

You will need to pay the troll under the bridge three Yorkshire teas before we can get your opal to you. Eeek, just kidding! 

Rough opal and loose polished opal have no duty payable, however you will still be liable for VAT and shipper processing fees.

For your reference, the Harmonized Tariff Code for Rough Opal is 7103.10.2000 and the code for Cut and Polished Opal is 7103.99.1000.

Shipping within Australia

Australia Post 

  • Express Post with signature on delivery. 
  • We’ll send an email with your shipping details once we’ve packed your order. There is no charge for this service, it’s on us! 
  • This service is trackable and in most cases it’s an overnight service to a street or PO Box address. Rural or Western Australia addresses could take an extra day or two. 
  • All deliveries must be signed for. 
  • GST is included in the listed price for Australian delivery addresses as per ATO regulations and a separate Tax Invoice can be issued to you, if requested.

For the legal details, please keep reading.

Shipping Terms Policy

Thank you for shopping with Black Opal Direct. We trust that you have enjoyed your shopping experience with us and we look forward to offering you new and exciting products in the future.

We would like you to read our Shipping Terms carefully to ensure that you are fully aware of your rights when purchasing items (Items) via the Black Opal Direct website (our Website).

Your order signifies your agreement to be bound by these Shipping Terms, which constitute the agreement between Gemfish Opals Pty Ltd trading as Black Opal Direct A.B.N.18 050 293 993 (we, us, our, or Black Opal Direct) and you.

Shipping

Order Pick-Up

You may only pick up your order from us, if we have agreed to do so and if prior arrangements have been made.

Within Australia

Shipping within Australia will be via Australia Post’s Express Post service. High value items will be ship via TNT Failsafe secure courier.

International

Shipping to destinations outside of Australia will be as follows:

  • Items valued at less than 500 US Dollars – via the DHL courier and then the postal service in your country; and
  • Items valued at greater than 500 US Dollars – via FedEx’s Economy or Priority service.

Black Opal Direct strongly recommends that, if you have an ‘Authority to Leave’ in place for any FedEx deliveries, that you cancel this authority for all deliveries to be sent to you, by Black Opal Direct. Black Opal Direct will not be liable for any packages left due to an Authority to Leave instruction in place. If you are unsure of the safety of your delivery address we can also instruct Fedex to hold the package at a FedEx office indicated by you.

In the event that you require additional insurance for the shipping of the Items to you, then we recommend that you contact us for a quote for this service.

Delivery Timeframes

We cannot guarantee delivery times. However, you should receive your delivery within the following timeframes:

Australia – Two (2) to three (3) business days.

United States – Ten (10) to Fifteen (15) days (DHL postal service) and five (5) to seven (7) days (FedEx Economy service).

Rest of the world – Up to 14 days (DHL postal service) and five (5) to seven (7) days (FedEx Economy service).

However, there may be times where shipping will take a little longer (for example, during peak times such as Christmas). If you have not received your Items within our suggested timeframes, please email us your full name and order number and we will investigate on your behalf.

Delivery of your order may also be delayed if you provide us with an incorrect delivery address.

Cancellation of Orders

Black Opal Direct may cancel your order, if for any reason, we are unable to provide you with the Items subject to your order. We will contact you should this occur.

You will not be entitled to claim any additional amounts or seek compensation for any loss, expense or damage (either direct or consequential) or for any loss of time or inconvenience, which may result from such cancellation.

You are not permitted to cancel an order, unless expressly agreed to, in writing, by Black Opal Direct.

Risk

You agree and acknowledge that Black Opal Direct will not be liable or responsible for any loss or damage to your Items that occurs beyond the delivery of Items by the postal service, or courier. Once the Items have been confirmed as being delivered, by the postal service or courier, all responsibility associated with the Items is born by you.

Items Missing from an Order

Should any item be missing from an order, please email us with the order number and the item code or product name of the Item you ordered, and we will make the appropriate investigations. However, Black Opal Direct will not be held responsible for lost or damaged items.

Refunds and Returns

Any requests for a refund will be handled in accordance with our Refunds & Returns Policy.

Consent

By agreeing to these Purchase & Shipping Terms, you also consent to receive further electronic communications from us in relation to the Black Opal Direct business, including information relating to items, competitions, promotions, special offers and any other commercial message. Of course, you may email us to unsubscribe at any time.

Governing Law

The laws of Queensland, Australia govern these Shipping Terms.

Enquiries

Please email us if you have any questions about our Shipping Terms.

Purchase & Shipping Terms last updated 1 July 2022.

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