Ordering Research Materials by PO: A Quick Guide for UK Universities

We pride ourselves on supporting UK researchers and already supply many of the country’s leading universities. This quick Purchase Order guide shows what to include, when credit terms apply for most labs/departments, typical dispatch times, and how to access CoAs—plus VAT and company details.

University labs and departments can order directly from Advent by purchase order.

Below is everything your purchasing team needs — from payment terms and cut-offs to CoA access and company details.

How to place a PO

1. Raise an official PO to Advent Research Materials Ltd with product codes, quantities, spec/purity, delivery and billing address as well as full contact details and emails.
2. Email the PO to info@advent-rm.com 
3. We’ll acknowledge your order and confirm dispatch timing within 48hrs. If you have not received confirmation please contact us. 

First-time customers are typically set up on pro-forma terms. PO invoicing can be arranged once an order history is established. Payment can be made by card or bank transfer.

Supplier details are as below; 

• Supplier: Advent Research Materials Ltd
• Registered address: Oakfield Industrial Estate, Eynsham, Oxford, OX29 4JA, United Kingdom
• Company number: 02273165
• VAT number: GB 521 0593 81
• EORI: GB521059381000
• Accounts enquiries: info@advent-rm.com
• Tel: +44 1865 884 440

Payment terms

Most UK labs and departments order on account.
New labs can move from pro-forma to credit terms once two transactions have been completed (or immediately if covered by a parent department’s approved account).

• Standard terms: pro-forma until an order history is established and net 30 days for credit account customers. 
• Payment methods: card (Visa/Mastercard/American Express/PayPal) or bank transfer.
• VAT: UK orders charged at the prevailing rate unless a valid VAT exemption applies. 

Delivery & cut-offs

• Free UK delivery: Royal Mail Special Delivery or DHL Express.
• Stocked items: typical dispatch within 48 hours.
• Same-day dispatch: available on request for orders placed before 1pm (subject to stock and service availability).

FAQs
Can we order by PO on our first purchase?
If we’ve supplied your lab or department before, yes — PO on credit terms. If not, we’ll set you up quickly; the first order may be pro-forma.

We’re a new lab within a department you already supply — does that count?
Usually yes. If your department holds an approved account with us, we can extend PO terms to new labs under that department after a quick check.

What are Advent's standard payment terms? 
If you have a credit account, our standard terms of payment are net 30 days from the date of invoice. Customers may be asked to pay cash with order or cash against pro-forma invoice with their first order. In order to establish a credit account we require a history of two completed transactions with Advent.

Do you provide CoAs and SDS?
Yes. High-purity items (99.999%) ship with a Certificate of Analysis free of charge.
Certificates of Conformity detailing technical information (e.g. chemical analysis and mechanical test data) are available for all items for a small charge, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available where required. All items are batch-traceable.

How do we add Advent as an approved supplier?
Share your onboarding form with us and we’ll complete it. Our VAT number, company number, EORI, address, and contacts are listed on this page for quick entry into your finance system.

How can I pay for my orders?
If your lab (or parent department) has a credit account with us, just raise a PO and we’ll invoice on your agreed terms. New to Advent? Your first orders are usually pro-forma. You can pay by card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) or bank transfer. We can also send a secure payment link for card payments. For stocked catalogue items, online checkout is available. Advent issue VAT invoices and never store your card details.