Buying a rare or antiquarian book online should feel as reassuring as examining it in person. Below you will find answers to the questions we are most often asked about our books, shipping, packing, returns and international orders. If you would like additional information before purchasing, please contact us at rarebooks@mflibra.com.
Where is MFLIBRA located?
MFLIBRA is an antiquarian and rare book dealer based in Montreal, Canada. We serve collectors in Canada and throughout the world.
Are MFLIBRA’s books guaranteed to be authentic and as described?
Yes. We stand behind the authenticity and bibliographical accuracy of the books we offer.
Each book is carefully described based on the information available to us, including its edition, binding, illustrations, condition and other relevant bibliographical details.
If a material error in the description or bibliographical identification of a book is discovered after purchase, please contact us. MFLIBRA will arrange the return at our expense and provide a full refund.
How does MFLIBRA describe the condition of a book?
We aim to describe each book accurately and to identify significant defects, restoration, wear, missing material or other condition issues that may matter to a collector.
Because antiquarian books are individual objects with their own history, photographs form an important part of every listing. We are always happy to provide additional photographs, measurements, condition details or provenance information before purchase.
Can I request additional photographs or information before ordering?
Absolutely.
If you would like additional photographs of the binding, spine, title page, illustrations, edges, endpapers or any area of concern, please contact us at rarebooks@mflibra.com.
We are also happy to answer questions about condition, provenance, edition points or other bibliographical details.
Where does MFLIBRA ship?
MFLIBRA ships to Canada, the United States and many destinations throughout Europe, Asia and Oceania.
Available destinations are shown during checkout. If your country is not currently available, please contact us. In many cases, a special shipping arrangement can be made.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping charges are displayed before payment at checkout.
MFLIBRA currently offers free shipping on qualifying orders of:
- USD $200 or more to Canada and the United States
- USD $500 or more to Europe
For other orders and destinations, the applicable shipping charge is displayed at checkout before you complete your purchase.
How quickly will my order be shipped and delivered?
Orders are normally packed and dispatched within two business days, and often on the same day the order is received.
Typical delivery times after dispatch are approximately:
- Canada: 2–4 business days
- United States: 4–10 business days
- Europe and other international destinations: 6–20 business days
These are estimates rather than guaranteed delivery times. Customs processing, weather, postal disruptions or remote destinations can occasionally result in longer transit times.
Canada Post is our principal postal carrier, although another appropriate service may occasionally be selected depending on the destination, value or requirements of the shipment.
How are rare and fragile books packed?
Great care is taken in preparing every book for shipment.
Whenever appropriate, the book is first protected with a removable archival-style Mylar cover. It is then wrapped in several layers of tissue paper, placed inside a sealed protective plastic envelope, surrounded with bubble wrap and packed securely in a properly sized cardboard box.
Finally, the exterior of the box is extensively protected with transparent weather-resistant packing tape to provide additional protection against moisture and adverse weather during transit.
Our objective is simple: the book should arrive in the same condition in which it left MFLIBRA.
Are shipments tracked and insured?
Yes. MFLIBRA insures shipments for their full value without a minimum purchase threshold.
Tracking information is provided when the order is shipped.
Depending on the value of the book, destination and postal service used, a signature may also be required upon delivery.
Will I have to pay customs duties, tariffs or import taxes?
Printed books are generally exempt from customs tariffs in many destinations. In particular, most printed books entering the United States are currently duty-free.
However, local sales taxes, value-added taxes, import taxes, customs processing charges or other government-imposed fees may apply depending on the destination and the applicable regulations.
Because these rules can change and vary by country, any taxes or charges assessed by local authorities remain subject to the regulations in effect at the destination.
Which currency will I be charged in?
Where local-currency checkout is available, prices may be displayed and charged in your local currency.
The currency shown at checkout is the currency in which your payment will be processed. Your bank, credit-card issuer or payment provider may apply its own foreign-exchange or transaction fees.
The payment methods available for your destination are displayed during checkout.
Can I cancel an order?
Yes.
An order may be cancelled at any time before it has been shipped. Please contact us as soon as possible at rarebooks@mflibra.com.
If the order has already been shipped, it can still be returned in accordance with our return policy.
For an order cancelled before shipment, the refund is initiated when the cancellation request is received.
What is MFLIBRA’s return policy?
A book may be returned within 14 days of receipt.
The book must be returned in the same condition in which it was received. For a standard return, return shipping is the responsibility of the buyer.
Please contact MFLIBRA before returning a book so that we can provide the appropriate return instructions.
Once the returned book has been received, the refund is initiated promptly.
If the return results from a material error in our description or bibliographical identification, MFLIBRA will assume the return shipping cost and provide a full refund.
What happens if my shipment is lost?
Lost shipments are exceptionally rare.
If a shipment appears to have been lost, MFLIBRA will open a claim with the postal carrier. Once the carrier confirms the loss, typically within approximately 10 days of the claim being opened, MFLIBRA will issue a full refund.
We will handle the postal claim directly so that the buyer does not have to resolve the matter with the carrier.
What happens if my book is damaged in transit?
Damage in transit is also extremely rare due to the care taken in packing each shipment.
If a book nevertheless arrives damaged, please contact MFLIBRA promptly and retain the book, packaging and shipping materials.
MFLIBRA will arrange and pay for the return of the damaged book. A full refund will be issued once the book has been received back.
Can MFLIBRA help me locate a particular book?
Yes. If you are looking for a particular edition, illustrator, author, fine binding or other collectible book that is not currently in our inventory, feel free to contact us.
We are always interested in learning what collectors are looking for and may be able to help locate a suitable copy.
Does MFLIBRA belong to a professional booksellers’ organization?
Yes. MFLIBRA is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA), an international professional association of independent booksellers committed to professional standards and ethical bookselling practices.
Still have a question?
We are always happy to help before or after a purchase.
For questions about a book, shipping, condition, provenance, additional photographs or an international order, contact us at:
rarebooks@mflibra.com
We normally reply within one business day.