Frequently Asked Questions

Most bulk-ordered custom imprinted items take 6-8 weeks for production (this does not include shipping times from the vendor to the Bookstore). Some items are eligible for rush processing, rush charges will typically apply. Please note that single custom clothing items from the Faculty Branded page take 6-8 weeks, and cannot be rushed.

Please use this link for ISC Service Now. 

The average cost for Term 1 Arts or Commerce textbooks is $400.00 and for Science $700.00. If you choose used digital, the cost will be much lower. 

UBC Bookstore accepts Canadian currency (in-store only), Visa, Mastercard, American Express (in-store only, WeChat (in-store only), AliPay (in-store only) and Interac (debit cards, in store only). You may use a parent’s credit card, however you must be able to demonstrate you have their authorization.

Each custom course pack has been handpicked and given hours of dedication to put together. As such (and to comply with Copyright law), we ask that you don’t photocopy, scan or reproduce these for use other than for yourself. Please and thank you.

You can print out your personalized textbook list in-store or access it online here. You can also search for your required course materials for each course online or check the course syllabus provided by your instructors.

The free trial is 14 days. After that time you must either purchase your course materials online or purchase them from the bookstore. Activate your purchase in Canvas using your receipt number.

In our warehouse we recycle all of our cardboard in a compactor.  We also recycle packaging (paper, foam chips and plastic) and reuse it wherever possible for our outgoing shipments including packages to customers and returns to vendors. Wooden pallets are also recycled.

We recycle printer ribbons and cartridges, batteries and pens.  The collection container is at the back of the store.

All metal fixtures are taken to a recycling centre.

We also encourage re-use of textbooks through used books, buybacks and rental books.

Yes, if you are ordering from one of our established programs on this page.

Otherwise, you must meet our minimum order quantities for clothing which are:

• Screenprinted items: 24
• Embroidered pieces: 12

For giftware (such as drinkware and lanyards) minimum order quantities are item-dependent. Please contact the Custom Imprint Buyer to request more information.

UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan, you have two options:

• You can order your textbooks online. If ordering online and you’re living on or close to campus, please choose the Pick-Up option to pick up your books when you’re back on campus. Please ensure you bring your order number and your student ID. 
• If you want to shop in-store, come into the store and print out your personalized book list. Our staff will help you find your books. Before visiting, ensure you check our back-to-school opening hours - we offer extended hours during the start of term. Aiming to arrive at the store either before 11:30am or after 2:30pm will help you avoid our busiest times.

Other tips:

• Shop early. Many required textbooks are available up to two weeks before classes start.
• International students: If you will be taking classes remotely this term, allow AMPLE time to receive your books and other supplies to your country otherwise you may not have what you need on the first day of class. If you are travelling from an international location to campus for classes, we advise you to choose the Pick-Up option so your textbooks will be ready for you to pick up at the store when you arrive on campus.

Clothing vendors supplying products to the Bookstore are expected to comply with the following guidelines which are consistent with those established by the Fair Labour Practices Association, International Labour Organization, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child. We will not do business with vendors that do not meet these guidelines.

Health, safety and employment guidelines

Forced labour: There shall not be any use of forced labour, whether in the form of prison labour, indentured labour, bonded labour or otherwise.

Child labour: No person shall be employed at an age younger than 15 (or 14 where the International Labour Organization exemption for developing countries allows) or younger than the age for completing compulsory education in the manufacturer’s country where that age is higher than 15. Currently, employed child workers shall be kept employed and be given access to education and transitional economic assistance. Where a child worker must be displaced, adult family members should have the opportunity to assume the child’s position in order to maintain family earnings.

Harassment and abuse: Every employee shall be treated with respect and dignity. No employee shall be subject to any physical, sexual, psychological, verbal harassment or abuse.

Non-discrimination: No person shall be subject to any discrimination in employment, including hiring, salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination or retirement, on the basis of gender, race, religion, caste, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation or union membership.

Women’s rights: All employees shall have the right to work in an environment free from sexual harassment and abuse. No worker shall be subject to the forced use of contraceptives or pregnancy testing. Pregnant women will be entitled to appropriate maternity leave and appropriate medical benefits in accordance with national laws and regulations and consistent with national practices.

Health and safety: Employers shall provide a safe and healthy working environment to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of or occurring in the course of work or as a result of the operation of employer facilities. Workers will be provided with health and safety training appropriate to their industry.

Freedom of association and collective bargaining: Employers shall recognize and respect the right of all employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Wages and benefits: Employers recognize that wages are essential to meeting employees’ basic needs. Employers shall pay employees, as a minimum, at least the minimum wage required by local law or the prevailing industry wage, whichever is higher, and shall provide legally mandated benefits.

Hours of work: Employees shall (i) not be required to work more than the lesser of (a) 48 hours per week and 12 hours overtime or (b) the limits on regular and overtime hours allowed by the law of the country of manufacture or, where the laws of such country do not limit the hours of work, the regular work week in such country plus 12 hours overtime and (ii) be entitled to at least one day off in every seven day period.

Overtime compensation: In addition to compensation for regular hours of work, employees shall be compensated for overtime hours at such premium rate as is legally required in the country of manufacture or, in those countries where such laws do not exist, at a rate at least equal to their regular hourly compensation rate times 1.5. All overtime shall be voluntary.
Environmental guidelines: Vendors will seek out, implement and exercise environmental practices wherever possible, including a commitment to packaging standards that reduce the amount of materials used/ or, have a recycled content. Vendors will also demonstrate environmental safety in the handling of all materials.

Legal guidelines: Vendors will be law abiding and will observe criminal, civil and tax codes in the countries they do business and will comply with all applicable legal and customs requirements of Canada.

You can contact SBA Customer Care at easyservice@staples.com

Don't worry! You can also rent a gown and hood on the day of your ceremony at the gown pick up area for an additional fee. We have enough regalia of all sizes and colours to allow anyone who missed the deadline to attend. The cost for day-of rental is $75.00 and we will accept Credit or Debit (Visa, Mastercard, Visa Debit). Please arrive at the gown pick up area 1.5 hours before your ceremony start time to allow enough time to rent your gown on-site. There is no need to provide us with your information in advance once the online rental website has closed.

Vancouver Pickup Location: Buchanan Building Block B (1866 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1)

Okanagan Pickup Location: Upper Fitz Hall of the Commons Building (3297 University Way, Kelowna BC)

At the UBC Bookstore we are committed to implementing sustainable practices for the benefit of our customers, our community and our planet.

Selling reusable bags, reusing and recycling packaging, recycling batteries, making campus deliveries on behalf of our vendors, promoting the use of reusable drinkware, selling used textbooks, offering a course materials rental program, offering electronic course materials, selling a wide range of products made from eco-friendly materials, using biodegradable plastic bags, and actively seeking out locally-made or Canadian-made products to reduce our carbon footprint are just some of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to sustainability.

Submit a support request with the UBC Learning Technology Hub.

There are a few reasons why you received this declined order notification: 

-          Your billing address does not match your credit card’s address. Your billing address must match exactly what is shown on your credit card statement

-          The address you’ve entered is incorrect and/or our system doesn’t recognize the address

-          The credit card has been reported stolen or lost

-          The credit card limit has been reached

-          Also note, our website cannot process debit cards (VISA or M/C debit)

Finally, this can sometimes be a system issue on our end that will resolve itself within 24 hours. Please check all of the factors above first. If after 24 hours you are still having problems with your online order, please contact us using the link below and we will do everything we can to assist you.

Please contact us by email.