Frequently asked questions
Where is my order?
We aim to fulfill orders within 10 days of them being placed for UK orders, and within 2 weeks for international orders, however due to the various channels we use to fulfil orders, it can sometimes take a little longer to source your books.
Due to limited space, we are able to keep only a very small selection of titles on hand in our office, and all other titles listed are sourced from a wholesaler, distributors, or the publishers directly.
If the wholesaler is out of stock, we must wait for stock to be sent to them by publishers/distributors before they can then be dispatched to customers.
If you have ordered an older title, this may be awaiting a reprint.
If you have ordered a title from a small publisher who does not work with distributors or wholesalers, we contact them directly to send you a copy. If they are away from their office for any reason, we must wait until they get back to us before your order can be fulfilled.
We thank you for your patience while we source your books!
Will I be charged for customs duty if I'm ordering from the EU?
Yes. EU customs charges have changed.
As of 1 July 2026, goods valued at €150 or less are no longer automatically exempt from customs duty. Combined with existing VAT rules, this means there will be additional charges for some shipments entering the EU.
Low-value shipments (e.g. a book) will be subject to a new flat-rate duty of €3 per item.
This charge is separate from VAT and any courier administration fees that may apply.
It's important to note that this €3 charge applies per customs declaration line, not per parcel.
For example:
- One declared item = €3 customs duty
- Two separately declared items = €6 customs duty (e.g. a book and a tote bag)
- Three of the same item being declared (grouped)= €3 customs duty (e.g. 3 poetry books) would only incur a single €3 customs duty due to them all being the same HS Code.
Please note that this applies to orders from our website only. If you are a PBS Member based in the EU, this new rule will not affect your quarterly membership mailings, as these are dispatched from Dublin.
Please get in touch if you have any further questions regarding orders from our website to the EU: enquiries@poetrybooksociety.co.uk
How do I get my book discount?
The 25% discount on poetry books is exclusive to members. Make sure you are logged in to your account, and use the promo code PBS25. If you cannot apply the code, contact us at enquiries@poetrybooksociety.co.uk or 0191 230 8100 for assistance.
Please note that pamphlets are not eligible for the 25% discount due to our trade agreements on these titles.
Why can't I log in?
When you have an account made for you - for instance, if you redeemed a gift membership - you may not yet have activated your account. You may have had an email from us inviting you to do so. In order to access your member details and the membership area, you will need to activate your account by following the instructions in the email and setting a new password. If you have any problems please contact us at enquiries@poetrybooksociety.co.uk or 0191 230 8100.
How do I use my gift membership?
Simply click the link in the gift email you received and follow the instructions to activate your membership. Don't forget to copy your unique gift code so that you can enter it at checkout!
The checkout page will ask you to enter card details but you will not be charged.
If you experience any problems or have any questions, please email us on enquiries@poetrybooksociety.co.uk or give us a call on 0191 230 8100.
Can I use my £10 new member discount and my 25% discount?
As only one discount can be applied per transaction, you will need to use your discounts on separate orders. The £10 new member voucher typically covers the cost of a standard paperback or two pamphlets. You can then use your 25% discount on all subsequent book orders on our website.
When do I get my member books parcel?
Our parcels are sent on a quarterly basis. If you joined recently, your first quarterly mailing will be the next one after the date you joined. For instance, if you joined in June, your first mailing will be the autumn parcel, which will arrive at the beginning of September.
Don't worry about missing out though! Bulletins and selections from previous quarters are available to buy on an individual basis.
How do I let you know that I have changed address so that I don't miss any membership parcels?
If the address you would like your membership mailings sent to is changing, please email us at enquiries@poetrybooksociety.co.uk or call us on 0191 230 8100.
Why have I only received some of my books?
When you place a normal book order through the website, we may fulfil parts of your order from different locations. Parts of your order may therefore arrive separately. If you're concerned that this has taken longer than expected, please get in touch.
Can I send my poetry or book to you?
Thank you for your interest in sharing your work with us! Please ask your publisher to contact us if they have any questions about the submission process; they can see the relevant guidelines page here and they can ask for prompts when our submission windows open. Unfortunately we cannot accept single poem submissions or self-published titles. Please do not send us physical copies of your book.
Can you publish my poetry?
The Poetry Book Society is not a poetry publisher, and therefore we are unable to accept submissions of unpublished poetry.