FAQs
Orders
What payment methods do you accept?
Is your website secure and is my personal information safe with you?
Yes, our website is secured with the very latest encryption technology (2048 signature / 256 bit encryption) SSL. This system ensures safe and private browsing. A padlock icon will be showing in your browsers URL bar, which means the connection is secure. Any personal information you provide when on our website while the padlock icon is showing will be encrypted. This means no-one can intercept your details and read them.
We also keep a secure database where we can see your name, email address, billing address, delivery address and phone number (if provided). We use these details to contact you about your order and to deliver your order to you. We do not see nor store your card number/payment details, nor do we share your personal information with any third party.
I have a digital gift card. How do I use it?
To redeem your digital gift card, simply enter the long number into the discount box during checkout and click the Apply button.
Can I change the item or size in my order?
Yes, please contact us within 15 minutes of placing your order. When contacting us please provide your order number, the full name and email address you used for the order along with the print or size you would like to change it to. This information helps us find your order on our system quickly and gives us the chance to stop (and amend) your order before it gets dispatched at our fulfilment centre.
Regrettably we are unable to make changes to your order if it has already been dispatched. If this is the case, you would need to return your order for a refund and place a new order. More information about our returns policy can be found on our returns page.
How do I cancel my order?
If you wish to cancel your order, please contact us within 15 minutes of placing your order. When contacting us please provide your order number plus the full name and email address you used for the order. This information helps us find your order on our system quickly and gives us the chance to stop your order before it gets dispatched at our fulfilment centre.
Regrettably we are unable to cancel your order if it has already been dispatched. If this is the case you can either refuse the delivery or send your order back for a refund. Please visit our returns page for information on how to make a return.
I live in the Channel Islands. Do I get charged VAT?
If you are a non-UK resident having your order delivered to a non-EU address (this includes the Channel Islands), the products are zero-rated and not subject to UK VAT. The total amount charged for your order will not change.
What currency will I be charged in?
We are based in the United Kingdom and all orders are charged in GBP (£).
If you are shopping from another country outside of the UK, you can change the currency shown on our website by using the toggle in the main menu. For example; if you are ordering from Ireland you can use this conversion toggle to see the estimated price in Euros (€). This currency conversion estimate is for reference only and you will be charged in GBP (£). This means that the final price you are charged may differ according to your payment providers currency conversion rate at the time of placing the order.
Have I been overcharged?
No, by law we cannot overcharge you and our secure online system ensures that this is not possible.
A common misconception of being overcharged is due to currency conversion. We're based in the United Kingdom, so if you placed your order from a different country and your bank statement is showing a different price, this is due to the currency conversion from GBP (£) to your own countries currency. For example; if you placed your order in the United States and it totalled to £60 GBP yet your bank statement is showing a charge of $90 USD, this is the currency conversion from GBP (£) to USD ($). All orders made on our website are charged in GBP (£). Your payment provider determines the exact exchange rate that you are charged.
Delivery
Do you deliver to my country?
We deliver worldwide. You will find the full list of countries we deliver to along with the delivery options and costs at checkout. If you don't see your country on the list, please contact us and we will happily assist. For more information please visit our delivery page.
How much does delivery cost?
For the latest information on UK delivery costs please visit our delivery page. For international orders, all available options and costs will be calculated at the checkout before you complete your order.
How will my order be packaged?
Minimally. Our swimsuits are simply folded and slid into a mail bag, working as a protective sleeve for your swimsuit during delivery, nothing more.
We send UK orders in a paper mail bag. These can be reused, composted or recycled by popping it in your recycling bin. For international orders, we use 100% recycled plastic mail bags. These can also be reused and recycled. If your local council doesn't accept plastic bags in your recycling bin yet, most major supermarkets have plastic recycling bins available. Do keep checking in with your local council, as this information is continually changing.
We've made a conscious choice not to use compostable/plant-based plastic mail bags just yet. This is due to mixed and contradictory messages from both companies and councils. Some councils in the UK do not accept compostable plastics in the garden waste and often these bags get caught up in the recycling system which contaminates the lot.
How do I track my order?
Your tracking link is in your dispatch confirmation email. Simply click the Track Order button, which will take you to the relevant tracking page. If you haven't received this email, please check your junk/spam folder. If it's not there, please contact us and we will resend your email.
When will my order arrive?
You can find your estimated delivery time in your order and dispatch confirmation emails. For the latest information on delivery times please visit our delivery page.
Will I need to pay customs fees on my order?
We are based in the United Kingdom, so deliveries made within the UK will not be charged customs fees.
International deliveries may be subject to customs fees (taxes and duties). If this is the case, you must pay these fees to receive your order. Customs fees are charged and collected by your countries government and the rates differ depending on where you live in the world. For more information please contact your countries customs office.
Ireland & EU
Since the UK left the European Union, you will now be expected to pay customs fees to receive your order. This is not a charge made by us and we do not receive this money. Please visit our delivery page for more information on these charges.
What should I do if my order gets shipped to the wrong address?
We ship orders to the delivery address you provide us with at the checkout. Regrettably we are unable to amend your delivery address once your order has been dispatched and we are unable to re-direct it to another address.
If your delivery address contains an error or missing information, the delivery company will most likely return your order to us. If this is the case, we will contact you when we receive your order back to arrange re-delivery or a refund. If you entered a valid delivery address incorrectly (e.g. your previous home address or a different door/flat/office number) then you would need to organise a way to retrieve it from this address.
Returns
What is your returns policy?
You may return your order within 28 days for a refund providing the swimsuit is unworn (except for the purposes of trying on), unwashed and in its original condition with all tags, labels and hygiene sticker still attached. Returns are not accepted for sample sale items. Please visit our returns page for more information.
How do I make a return?
To make a return, simply follow the instructions on our returns page.
Can I exchange my swimsuit?
We are not currently offering straight exchanges. Instead, we've found the most effective way to service an exchange is for you to reorder on our website and to send the unwanted item back for a refund. To make a return, simply follow the instructions on our returns page.
Have you received my return and when will I be refunded?
We will notify you by email once we've received your return and processed your refund. We aim to process returns within 7 days of receipt. As noted on our returns page, we advise sending your return using a tracked service. By tracking your return, you can see when we have received it and also have peace of mind that your refund (and confirmation email) will be on its way shortly.
Sizing & Fit
What is your size range?
Our sizes currently range from XS-XL, which is equivalent to UK 6-20. You can find approximate measurements for each size on our size guide.
Which size should I get?
To figure out which size will fit best, head over to our size guide and use the chart and information provided. If you have a measuring tape handy, you can compare your body measurements to the chart by following the How To Measure Yourself instructions.
I'm using your size guide, but my measurements are coming out at different sizes?
We appreciate shopping online often involves a lot of guess work when it comes to sizing and sometimes a size guide can add further confusion. Our fabric is stretchy so will work around the average measurements shown on our size chart.
If you are between sizes, we recommend choosing either the smaller size for a tighter fit or the larger size for a looser fit. If your measurements are coming out at completely different sizes, just go for your normal clothing size (e.g. size UK 14 = Batoko size M).
Ultimately size, comfort and fit is personal. Some of our first-time customers like to try a few different sizes in one order to determine their best fit. If this is something that is accessible to you, you are welcome to try multiple sizes and return any that are unsuitable for a refund.
I'm tall/long in the torso. Will your swimsuits fit me?
We've made our swimsuits stretchy and a little more generous in length to fit a wider variety of heights and torso lengths. And we've received positive feedback amongst our customers that usually have difficulty in finding one-pieces that fit well. Rather than sizing up to accommodate your height/torso length, our customer feedback suggests sticking with your normal size.
Ultimately size, comfort and fit is personal. Some of our first-time customers like to try a few different sizes in one order to determine their best fit. If this is something that is accessible to you, you are welcome to try multiple sizes and return any that are unsuitable for a refund.
Will your swimsuits support larger bust sizes?
Yes, we have received a lot of positive feedback from our customers with larger busts. Annie (38FF) has also written a great review for the Outdoor Swimming Society which you can read here.
The support comes from our thick fabric (lined), tight stitching and the perfect height back that's low enough to flatter yet high enough to hold everything in place and keep you supported (similar to a sports bra). Our simple design offers excellent bust support and coverage without the need for cups, wiring or a shelf bra.
Ultimately size, comfort and fit is personal. Some of our first-time customers like to try a few different sizes in one order to determine their best fit. If this is something that is accessible to you, you are welcome to try multiple sizes and return any that are unsuitable for a refund.
Do your swimsuits have padded cups?
No, our swimsuits do not have padded cups. Our simple design and thick fabric (lined) offer excellent bust support and coverage without the need for cups, wiring or a shelf bra - however there is space on the inner lining if you wish to sew some padded cups in yourself.
How should the swimsuits look and fit when being worn?
There is no right or wrong way to wear our swimsuits, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and whatever makes you feel most comfortable. If you're going to be doing lots of swimming, diving or water sports then we generally recommend sizing down for a tighter fit so that it will stay in place and allow for some stretching with wear. A tight-fit will also make the fabric look smooth and hold-you-in all over. However just as many of our customers favour a looser, more relaxed fit.
Do you make maternity swimwear?
Although we don't specifically make maternity swimwear, that hasn't stopped folk from wearing their Batoko swimsuits during pregnancy. We've curated an instagram highlight showing some of our customers and their lovely bumps wearing our swimsuits.
Swimwear & Sustainability
How and where are your swimsuits manufactured?
Our swimwear is manufactured in China. You can learn more about our supply chain here, where we discuss why we choose to make our swimwear in China, the protection of workers rights plus our environmental responsibility.
What is your recycling process?
Our swimwear is recycled from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic waste. PET plastic is what plastic bottles are made out of, as well as lots of food containers and textiles (clothes, carpets). If you see the number #1 printed on plastic, this is PET. It's the most common type of plastic and the most widely recycled.
The creation from plastic to swimsuit goes like this: plastic waste is sorted, then shredded into clean flakes. The flakes are melted, extruded and then spun into polyester yarn for our fabric. The amount of plastic that goes into making our swimwear is recorded by weight and is the equivalent of approximately 10 plastic bottles per swimsuit. The process is overseen by the GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification, which you can read more about here.
Did you know that all swimwear is plastic? Polyester, nylon, spandex, elastane, lycra and neoprene are all synthetic fabrics. The difference is that our swimwear is made from recycled plastic that was headed to landfill rather than creating new plastic and adding to the approx 300 million tons that is produced every year.
Do your swimsuits shed microfibers?
It is most likely that over time, with wear and tear, the swimwear will begin to shed microfibers. We've created a dedicated blog post on the subject where we discuss this issue, from fabric (quality and weave makes a significant difference) to washing tips. We also put one of our swimsuits through it's very own shed test, which you can read here.
How long do your swimsuits last?
The lifespan of our swimwear will generally depend on how you use and care for it, that's why we've written an extensive care guide to help you get the most wear out of your swimsuit. We have received feedback from customers who's cozzies are still going strong 4 years on, which you will find if you flick through these story highlights.
Do your swimsuits feel like plastic?
No, our swimsuits are soft, stretchy and super comfy. You'd have no clue they were recycled from plastic waste.
Did you know that all swimwear is plastic? Polyester, nylon, spandex, elastane, lycra and neoprene are all synthetic fabrics. The difference is that our swimwear is made from recycled plastic that was headed to landfill rather than creating new plastic and adding to the approx 100 million tons that is produced every year.
Are your swimsuits UV-protective?
Our swimwear has not undergone any official tests, therefore we do not have an official UPF rating. Polyester is generally highly resistant to UV radiation and has a very high melting point, which means it can stand more prolonged exposure to the sun without the material breaking down. Our fabric is also tightly woven which makes it harder for the sun's rays to penetrate through.
Are your swimsuits resistant to chlorine?
As a conscious choice with the environment in mind, our swimwear has not been treated with any chlorine-resistant coating or chemicals. Polyester is a hardy fabric that is generally very resistant to chlorine. If you will be using your swimsuit regularly in a chlorinated swimming pool, visit our care guide for information on how to protect and prolong it's wear.
How should I wash and dry my batoko swimsuit?
Our swimsuits are durable, quick to dry and won't fade in the sun. Read our full care guide for tips on wear and tear, washing, drying and dealing with chemicals like chlorine and sunscreens.
Everything Else
Where are you based? Do you have a shop or stockists?
We are based on the North West coast of England. We don't have any stockists, our online store is the only place you can buy genuine BATOKO swimwear. The good news is we are open 24/7 (thanks internet!) and ship worldwide.
Do you offer wholesale?
Thanks so much for your interest in stocking Batoko in your store, however we are not currently offering wholesale. The re-sale and distribution of Batoko swimwear for commercial reasons if strictly prohibited at this time.
Do you have a press contact?
For press enquiries, please click here.
Do you do collaborations?
If you are a community organisation, charity or not-for-profit and would like to discuss a collaboration idea with us, please get in touch. We are particularly passionate about collaborating with grass roots level organisations, no matter how small or niche - we want to help spread and celebrate your work!
Please note; we are not currently working with brands or influencers via gifted/paid partnerships. Our instagram is where we feature our customers photos and share news about our brand.
Do you have any jobs or internship opportunities?
I'm a student. Can you help with my project/dissertation?
It's great to hear from so many students covering topics like plastic pollution and environmentally-conscious fashion. Although we are unable to fulfil interview requests or similar, we do have lots of information on our website which you are welcome to use. About Us, Q&A + Blog are all great places to start. You can also use the images on our website, all we ask is that you kindly credit accordingly when using the information and images provided.
Do you accept old swimsuits back for recycling?
We don't have a recycling programme yet - instead we encourage you to repair, sell or donate any old, unwanted clothes. If you are hesitant to sell or donate your worn swimwear, check out this instagram post which proves that there are lots of people willing/already buying used swimwear.
If you don't think your swimsuit is in good enough condition to sell or donate to charity, then take a look at these brilliant organisations:
Do you accept plastic waste for recycling?
We are currently unable to accept donations of plastic waste. If you have collected rubbish from a beach clean, it's best to contact your local council for advice on what you can and cannot recycle in your area. Some councils may not accept specific plastic collected from beaches as it is too low grade and can contaminate/cause issues during the recycling process, so it's best to ask before tipping it all into your recycling bin. Organisations like TerraCycle also offer a variety of free recycling programmes.