Auction Terms, Conditions & FAQs

 

At Halls Fine Art Auctioneers we aim to make buying and selling at auction a clear and simple process. 

Here are our full terms and conditions for buyers and sellers at our watch, jewellery, ceramic, book, clock, statue, furniture, painting, militaria, medal and coin auctions,

So that you are happy with our conditions of sale please click here to read our full terms and conditions.

In accordance with Artists Resale Rights Regulations 2006, all lots marked ARR or § which sell for €1000 or more are subject to a resale royalty charge (“Royalty”). This Royalty is payable by the Bidder. The Royalty will be charged at a rate of 4% of the total hammer price (exclusive of Bidder’s premium) for lots selling for amounts up to €50000. For lots selling in excess of €50,001, the Royalty shall be calculated at a reduced rate (details available on request). The Royalty is not subject to VAT and is payable in sterling calculated on the day of sale at the prevailing rate of exchange. Payment shall be passed directly to the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS), 33 Great Sutton Street, London EC1V 0DX. For further information please contact the Auctioneers or DACS on 0845 4103410 or visit their website at www.dacs.org.uk.

Lots in this sale may be purchased with notes, coins or travellers cheques in sterling provided that the total payable by you does not exceed the equivalent in sterling of €10000. If the amount payable by you exceeds the equivalent of €10000, the balance must be paid otherwise than in notes, coins or travellers cheques. These conditions are in accordance with The Money Laundering Regulations 2003.

  • Prospective buyers please note that lots marked with ◉ may be subject to VAT on the hammer price.
  • Prospective buyers should note that although every effort is made to note repairs, restoration and damage in the catalogue descriptions, a lack of any such note should not be taken to imply that the lot is in perfect condition.
  • Prospective watch buyers should note that the working order of watches is not guaranteed.
  • All weights stated in the catalogue are approximate only, these figures are for reference only and prospective buyers should satisfy themselves as to the accuracy.
  • Prospective buyers please note that we do not guarantee amber as being naturally formed and all or parts may be reconstituted. The colour of the amber may vary from the catalogue or online illustration.
  • Prospective buyers are reminded that coloured gemstones have historically been treated to enhance their appearance. A variety of methods have been, and are currently used to improve both transparency and colour of various gemstones.
  • All yellow and white metals have not been tested.
  • The International Jewellery Trade generally accept these methods. It is not possible for Halls to obtain gemmological reports on all stones offered for sale and therefore all Halls Holding’s estimates assume that gemstones have been enhanced.

Prospective buyers should be aware that general wear to include; creasing, light foxing, small tears, bumped corners, worn boards or weak spine/joints, will not be specified in the catalogue descriptions. Any substantial losses/wear to include detached boards, detached spines or extensive graffiti will be described as ‘at fault’.
Prospective buyers must satisfy themselves with a condition report prior to bidding, Halls Holdings can take no responsibility for condition of purchased lots if condition reports were not requested.

Although every effort is made to note damage and restoration, the absence of such information does not imply that the lot is free from defects.
Detailed condition reports and email images can be obtained on request until 4.30pm the day prior to the sale.

We unfortunately don’t sell shotguns below £500.  If you do intend to sell your gun with us any relevant licensable guns consigned for sale need to come with a recent gunsmith report to check it is in proof.

Halls strongly advises their clients to seek advice from their shipper as to the extra costs of shipping items to and from Europe, given the UK is now no longer part of the EU. These costs will include import duty and VAT, for which Halls is not liable and so buyers/vendors will need to budget for this.

On 6th June the ivory ban came into force. The Ivory Act 2018 prohibits dealing in ivory items unless they meet one of five narrow and carefully defined exemptions and are either registered or have an exemption certificate.

The Government launched the ivory digital service on 24 February 2022. This service allows people to register or apply for an exemption certificate for ivory items they would like to deal in.

From 6 June 2022, you cannot deal in items containing or made of elephant ivory under the Ivory Act 2018 unless they are registered as exempt or certified as exempt.

 

If you started a transaction before 6 June, you have until 3 July to complete it without registering or applying for an exemption certificate. If you do not complete your transaction by 3 July, you’ll need to either:

  • register or apply for an exemption certificate before you complete the transaction
  • cancel the transaction

You should allow enough time to register or apply for an exemption certificate before 3 July.

It’s the responsibility of anyone intending to be involved in a sale or purchase of an ivory item to find out if the item contains or is made of elephant ivory. If the item does contain or is made of ivory, it will be assumed to be elephant ivory unless you can prove otherwise.

If you buy an ivory item, you, as well as the seller, are responsible for checking that it can be lawfully sold or hired out. If you break the law, you could be fined up to £250,000 or risk up to 5 years’ imprisonment.

Detailed guidance on dealing in items made of ivory or containing ivory can be found on GOV.UK.

We have also created assets designed to help people understand the ban, which we will share with you shortly. We would appreciate it if you could share these with your members.

 

Defra External Affairs

 

  • The Offensive Weapons Act states that the sale of any “bladed article” or items that can potentially cause significant injury can now no longer be sent by post to a UK Residential private address.
  • Bladed products are not for sale to people under the age of 18 so by bidding on an item of this type, you are declaring that you are 18 years of age or over.
  • Please be aware that we are unable to send edged weapons or bladed products by postal courier to a UK residential address (Offensive Weapons Act 2019)

For further information on this please  READ here