Conditions of Sale
Each Halls Fine Art auction is conducted under Halls Holdings Ltd’s terms and conditions of sale. By registering to bid, in person or online, you accept those terms together with the conditions below.
Buyer’s premium & VAT
Buyers pay a premium of 24% on the hammer price of each lot purchased, plus VAT at the current rate (28.8% inclusive of VAT), for the first £500,000, and 12% plus VAT above £500,000 per lot. Unless otherwise stated in the catalogue, lots have no VAT payable on the hammer price as they are sold under the Auctioneers’ Margin Scheme; VAT is applied to the buyer’s premium and is not recoverable as input tax. VAT is not applicable on the hammer price nor on the buyer’s premium for books and unframed maps. Lots marked ◉ may be subject to VAT on the hammer price.
Artist’s Resale Right
In accordance with the Artist’s Resale Right Regulations 2006, lots marked ARR selling for a hammer price of £1,000 or more are subject to a royalty payable by the buyer, charged at 4% of the hammer price (exclusive of buyer’s premium) up to £50,000, with a sliding scale above (maximum royalty £12,500). The royalty is not subject to VAT.
Estimates, descriptions & condition
Estimates are Halls’ opinion, given on behalf of the seller, of the band within which a lot may sell; they do not include buyer’s premium or VAT, and any reserve will not exceed the lower estimate. Lots are sold with all imperfections and faults. Although every effort is made to note damage and restoration, the absence of such information does not imply that a lot is free from defects. Condition reports and additional images can be requested until 4.30pm the day before the sale; we strongly advise you to inspect lots in person or have them inspected on your behalf. The working order of watches is not guaranteed; yellow and white metals have not been tested; and estimates assume that gemstones have been enhanced.
Bidding
All bidders must register with Halls Holdings Ltd before the auction and provide photo ID and proof of address. Commission and telephone bidding forms must be received by 4.30pm the day before the sale; telephone bidding is free of charge and lines are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The auctioneer has complete discretion to refuse any bid, to set bidding increments, to combine, divide or withdraw lots, and to settle any dispute.
Payment
Payment may be made online through your account, by direct bank transfer to Halls Holdings Ltd, or by debit card up to £1,000 by telephone. We do not accept credit cards. Late payment may result in interest of 5% above the Bank of England base rate being charged.
Collection & storage
No purchase may be removed until payment in full has cleared. Lots are removed at the buyer’s risk and expense, Monday to Friday 10am–5pm. A storage and handling charge of £5 + VAT per lot, per day, applies to lots left uncollected after the collection period.
Ivory & bladed articles
Items containing or made of elephant ivory can only be dealt in if they are registered or certified as exempt under the Ivory Act 2018. Bladed articles are not for sale to anyone under 18 and cannot be sent by post to a UK residential address.
Questions about a lot, an absentee bid or a consignment? Email theauctionhouse@hallsgb.com or call +44 (0)1743 450700.