When you ship items internationally through Forwardme, your packages may be subject to customs duties and taxes imposed by your destination country's government. These are import fees that help regulate trade and generate revenue for the importing country.
Understanding the Basics
Customs Duties are taxes on imported goods, typically calculated as a percentage of the item's declared value. Each country sets its own duty rates for different product categories.
Taxes usually refer to value-added tax (VAT), goods and services tax (GST), or sales tax applied to imported items, similar to what you'd pay when buying locally.
How Are They Calculated?
The fees depend on several factors:
- Item value: Higher-value items typically incur higher fees
- Product category: Electronics, clothing, and luxury goods often have different rates
- Country of origin: Some countries have trade agreements that reduce or eliminate duties
- Destination country: Each country has its own fee structure
When Do You Pay?
- At delivery: Most commonly, the courier collects fees when delivering your package
- Online payment: Some countries offer online payment options
- Customs office: In some cases, you may need to visit a local customs office
Important Notes
- Forwardme accurately declares all item values and descriptions as required by international law
- We cannot predict exact duty amounts as rates vary by country and item
- Some countries offer duty-free allowances for low-value shipments
- Personal use items may have different rates than commercial goods
Tips to Minimize Costs
- Check your country's duty-free threshold limits
- Consider consolidating multiple small shipments into one larger shipment
- Keep receipts and invoices for accurate value declaration
- Research your country's specific duty rates for items you frequently purchase
Note: Customs duties and taxes are separate from Forwardme's shipping fees and are collected by your local customs authority, not by Forwardme.