Delivering worldwide has its headaches, as every country has its own unique mix of Custom Fees, Value Added Tax (VAT) or Goods and Services Tax (GST), and other taxes and duties.

Try to do you research to provide a best estimate for buyers. Be upfront and clear in your communication with buyers that they are responsible for all duties, taxes and custom costs.

• Customs
• Taxes and Duties

Remember: If a buyer refuses to pay these fees, you are responsible for return shipping.

Customs

Customs is a government agency responsible for regulating packages entering a country. All packages have to pass through customs of the country you are delivering to. Specific documentation is required in order to clear customs.

Avoid the hassle and additional costs of returned items caused by customs clearance issues:

• Attach relevant customs forms on the outside of your package
• Clearly state the contents, value and purpose of your package
  1. When declaring the value of an item, list its closing price. Exclude shipping and handling charges.
  2. Generally you shouldn't list your item as a gift. It's illegal to misrepresent items to avoid customs fees.

Visit the World Customs Organization Web site for more information about specific customs regulations of various countries.

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Taxes and Duties

Duties and taxes may be charged on certain items and vary by country. Some countries charge Value Added Tax (VAT) or Goods and Services Tax (GST), on top of applicable duties.

Usually, buyers are responsible for knowing how much they'll be charged in taxes and duties, and bear the additional costs. However, you can help customers by mentioning relevant cost estimates in your listings.

Here are some resources to find out more about the taxes and duties of different countries:

• World Customs Organization
• The United States Council for International Business

TIP: Some European countries have especially high tax and duties, and if it is not cost efficient, consider excluding delivery to certain countries.

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