Lead times
On this page you'll find current information about the production and lead times for handmade and hand painted wall tiles, as well as for our porcelain floor tiles.
Samples
Handmade wall tile and floor tile samples are typically dispatched in 2-3 working days. We will simply dispatch samples as soon as they are ready, and you will typically receive them via Royal Mail.
Samples of hand painted tiles usually have a 2-3 week lead time. We will dispatch samples as soon as they are ready, and you will typically receive them via Royal Mail.
Full orders
Our handmade wall tiles are typically made to order, before being quality checked and packaged. As such, they have a 2-3 week lead time.
Hand painted tiles are made by hand and then painted, one brush stroke at a time, especially for your order by our team of artists. They are then fired, quality checked and packaged. They currently have a lead time of 14-16 weeks.
Our floor tiles are created by the finest manufacturers in Italy and Spain. We do keep a limited stock of some collections of our floor tiles at our factory, and tend to keep tiles from our very popular Andalucia and Ridgeway collections in stock at all times. If you have an urgent delivery date in mind, please call us to enquire about our stock levels before placing your order.
If the tiles you have ordered are in stock, they will be dispatched to you within 1-2 weeks. Otherwise, they will be ordered specially from the manufacturer and typically take 3-5 weeks.
In any case, we will contact you as soon as your boxes of tiles are ready to be dispatched, to arrange a convenient delivery or collection time.
Change to US customs regulations
Shipping to the USA – Duties & Taxes Included (DDP)
As of August 29, 2025, the U.S. ended the de minimis exemption, which previously allowed many international parcels valued under $800 to enter duty-free. As a result, all imports into the United States may now be subject to customs duties, tariffs and import processing fees.
What This Means for Your Order
To make importing our tiles as simple as possible, Marlborough Tiles now ships all orders to the USA on a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) basis.
This means that all applicable import duties, tariffs and customs processing charges are included within the price you pay at checkout. We handle the customs clearance process on your behalf, and you will not be contacted for payment of customs duties when your order arrives.
The charges we cover typically include:
Customs Duty
Most of our tiles fall under the U.S. classification for glazed ceramic tiles, which are typically subject to customs duties of approximately 8.5–10% of the declared value, plus any applicable UK trade tariffs.
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF)
The U.S. also applies a Merchandise Processing Fee to imported goods. This may be a small fixed fee on lower-value shipments or a percentage-based fee on higher-value shipments.
Customs Clearance & Import Administration
Any applicable customs administration and import processing charges required to clear your shipment through U.S. Customs and Border Protection are managed by our shipping partners and covered within our pricing.
State Sales Taxes
Depending on your location, you may still be liable for any applicable state or local sales taxes. These requirements vary by state and are outside of our control.
No Payment Required on Delivery
Because we ship DDP, you should not be asked to pay customs duties, tariffs or import processing fees when your order arrives.
In the unlikely event that a carrier requests payment for customs charges prior to delivery, please contact us immediately before making any payment so that we can investigate on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will the cost of the tiles increase as a result of these changes?
A: To provide a seamless delivery experience, we have incorporated the cost of duties, tariffs and import processing charges into our U.S. pricing. The price shown on our website is the price you pay, with no unexpected customs charges upon arrival.
Q: Will the lead time be impacted?
A: Our production lead times remain as stated throughout the website. Whilst all imported goods must still pass through U.S. Customs, shipping DDP helps minimise delays by ensuring duties and import charges have already been accounted for before delivery.
Need a Hand?
Our team is always happy to help. Please contact us at sales@marlboroughtiles.com with any questions regarding shipping, customs procedures or your order.
Important Information
This guidance is based on our understanding of current U.S. import regulations and customs procedures as of June 2026 and is provided for general information purposes only.
Whilst we take every reasonable step to ensure duties and import charges are correctly paid on DDP shipments, customs regulations and tariff structures may change without notice. Marlborough Tiles reserves the right to amend its shipping and pricing policies accordingly.
For the latest information regarding U.S. import regulations, customers may wish to consult U.S. Customs and Border Protection directly.
Discover
Our Craft
We have been making wall tiles by hand since we were founded in the 1930s. Think of wall and floor tiles and you’re likely to imagine functional rectangles in busy areas like bathrooms, kitchens and halls. But for us a tile is where science meets art. Each one represents the sum total of experimentation, learning, technique and passion passed down for generations.
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