International orders: research peptides from the UK
Where we ship, transit times, customs and import charges, the legal position at the destination, and documentation for institutions abroad.
Alphex is a UK supplier holding UK stock, and most orders are UK deliveries. Researchers elsewhere in Europe and further afield do order, and the questions are always the same: can you ship here, how long does it take, what will customs do, and who pays import charges. This note answers them plainly. It is general information; import rules are the destination country's and change. All Alphex products are for laboratory and in-vitro research only.
Where we ship
To most European countries and to a number of others on request, by tracked international courier. Some destinations are excluded because import of research chemicals is restricted or because courier service is unreliable; if the checkout does not offer your country, contact us and we will say whether we can serve it. Delivery within the UK remains same-day dispatch, next-day arrival; see what next-day delivery really means.
Transit
Typically two to five working days to Western Europe, longer elsewhere, plus any time in customs. Sealed lyophilised peptide tolerates that without measurable change; see do peptides need to be shipped cold. Parcels are packed exactly as UK orders: rigid inner box, padded outer, plain packaging, packing slip inside. See how Alphex packs and ships.
Customs and import charges
- We declare accurately: laboratory reagents / synthetic peptides for research use, with value and commodity code, and the batch COA available to customs on request.
- The recipient is the importer and is responsible for any import VAT, duty and courier handling fee in the destination country, which the courier collects before delivery. Budget for it; within the EU import VAT is typically 19-25% of goods plus shipping.
- Customs may inspect. Correctly declared reagents in labelled, batch-numbered vials with a certificate are normally released. We cannot control the destination authority's decision, and seized parcels are not refundable, which is why we decline destinations where research reagents are routinely detained.
- The mirror image of all this, for UK buyers importing from abroad, is in importing research peptides into the UK.
Legal position in the destination
Research peptides are legal to import for laboratory research in most jurisdictions, but the presentation and paperwork matter and some countries restrict specific compounds or require an importer registration. The purchaser is responsible for confirming that import for research use is lawful at their address; we will help with documentation but cannot advise on foreign law. See are research peptides legal in the UK for the UK position, which is the basis of sale.
Documentation for institutions abroad
Invoice with UK company and VAT registration; batch COA; specification; safety summary on request. Institutions that need a pro-forma invoice for import or budget approval can ask before ordering. See universities and labs.
Frequently asked questions
Can you mark the parcel as a gift or under-declare?
No. Accurate declaration is a legal obligation and is also what gets the parcel released.
Do you ship to the US?
The US has a large domestic research peptide market and its own import rules; contact us and we will say whether we can serve the address.
Are prices the same?
Product prices are the same; delivery is charged at cost for the destination and shown at checkout. UK VAT is not charged on exports outside the UK, but destination import VAT will apply.
Alphex research peptides are supplied for laboratory and in-vitro research by qualified researchers only. They are not authorised for human or veterinary use.
Research use only. Alphex products are supplied exclusively for laboratory and in-vitro research by qualified researchers. They are not authorised for human or veterinary use, and nothing in this note is advice on any such use.
Published 21 July 2026. Alphex reviews research notes when the testing method, the catalogue or UK guidance changes.