Customs Fees
General Information
What are customs fees?
Customs fees are charges applied to goods when they are shipped across countries or customs territories. Put simply, they are charges connected with importing goods.
The expression “customs fees” can include customs duty, import VAT or sales tax, brokerage fees, customs-clearance charges, postal handling fees and other amounts connected with the import process. Not every parcel will attract every type of charge. However, the VAT is already included in the final price of the product and usually, the authorities are informed that the VAT was paid through a special code.
Why do governments impose customs fees?
Governments impose customs fees for several reasons. They may use them to create public revenue, protect local industries from certain imported products, support economic or geopolitical policies, enforce sanctions, and stabilize markets.
Customs systems are also used to verify the value and classification of goods, collect trade statistics, prevent prohibited products from entering a country and check compliance with local safety or product rules.
What is the difference between customs duty, import VAT, sales tax and handling fees?
Customs duty is a tariff applied to certain imported goods.
Import VAT or import sales tax is a consumption tax charged when goods enter the destination country.
Brokerage, clearance or handling fees are administrative charges that may be added by a courier, postal operator or customs agent for completing customs formalities.
These charges are separate even when they appear together on one payment request.
When can customs fees arise?
Customs fees may arise when the country or customs territory from which the parcel is shipped differs from the destination customs territory. Two major factors are the import country and the type of product.
Because Bazaar Of Designora works with manufacturers around the world, the dispatch country can vary by product. You can find the country in which a product will be packed and shipped from in the “DELIVERY” tab on every product page.
Do customs fees apply to every international order?
No. Each country has its own customs rules, thresholds, exemptions and import procedures. Goods shipped within the same customs territory may not be charged import duty, while goods entering from outside that territory may be assessed.
The product type, value, country of origin, dispatch country and the destination country’s rules can all affect the result. We have put together an international guide with the procedures for each country.
Can customs fees apply even when shipping is free?
Yes. Bazaar Of Designora offers free shipping, but free shipping covers the shipping charge from the store. It does not mean that the destination government, courier or customs broker has waived customs duty, import VAT, brokerage or handling fees. However, the VAT is already included in the final price of the product and usually, the authorities are informed that the VAT was paid through a special code.
Are customs fees charged by Bazaar Of Designora?
No. Customs-related charges are generally assessed and collected by the destination customs authority, postal operator, courier or customs broker. Bazaar Of Designora does not set those amounts and does not receive those payments.
Who Pays Customs Charges?
Who is responsible for paying customs duties: the seller or the customer?
The customer or recipient is responsible for paying all customs fees, duties, import taxes, clearance charges, brokerage fees and similar costs required by the destination country. Some countries have high customs charges, and in certain cases the total can be substantial compared with the product price.
Before ordering, please check the customs rules and possible charges that apply in the country of delivery. The country in which a product will be packed and shipped from is listed in the “DELIVERY” tab on every product page.
Are customs charges included in the product price?
No. The product price shown by Bazaar Of Designora does not automatically include customs duty, import VAT assessed at the border, courier brokerage or destination-country handling charges. These amounts are separate from the store price. However, the VAT is already included in the final price of the product and usually, the authorities are informed that the VAT was paid through a special code. We have put together an international guide with the procedures for each country.
Are customs charges included in free shipping?
No. Free shipping covers the standard delivery charge offered by Bazaar Of Designora. Customs duties, import taxes, brokerage, clearance, storage or carrier administration fees remain separate.
Can the recipient be required to pay customs charges?
Yes. The courier or customs authority normally contacts the person named as the recipient, because that person is receiving the imported parcel. The recipient may need to pay the charges or provide documents before delivery can be completed. We have put together an international guide with the procedures for each country.
What happens if I send an order directly as a gift?
A product bought from Bazaar Of Designora remains a commercial purchase even when it is intended as a gift. The recipient may be contacted for customs payment, and customs documents may show the genuine value of the products.
What should customers in Europe know about the €150 threshold?
For Europe, shipments of goods valued under €150 (approximately $160 USD) for personal use are exempt from Customs Duty (tariff). Other charges, including import VAT or carrier handling fees, may still apply depending on the destination and the route of the parcel.
You should always check the specific rules and tariffs of your country before ordering from our store. We have put together an international guide with the procedures for each country.
How Customs Fees Are Calculated
How are customs fees calculated?
Countries calculate customs fees in different ways. The customs authority may consider the declared value, product category, quantity, weight, material, country of origin, dispatch country, destination-country tariff rate and applicable tax rate.
The final calculation belongs to the customs authority, not Bazaar Of Designora.
What is a per-product rate?
Under a per-product system, the rate varies according to the type or classification of each product. Clothing, accessories, prints and home products may be assigned different tariff rates.
What is a percentage-of-imported-value calculation?
Some charges are calculated as a percentage of the customs value. For example, if goods are declared at $350 and the applicable duty is 10%, the customs duty may be calculated as $35, before any import tax or courier fees are added. We have put together an international guide with the procedures for each country.
What is a per-pound or weight-based rate?
Some customs systems or product categories can use a charge based partly on weight, quantity or another physical unit. This means that the amount can increase according to the weight or number of imported products. We have put together an international guide with the procedures for each country.
Can Bazaar Of Designora tell me the exact customs cost before I order?
No. We cannot reliably calculate a charge imposed by another country. Rates, thresholds, exchange rates, classifications, exemptions and carrier fees can change. Your local customs or tax authority is the best source for an estimate. We have put together an international guide with the procedures for each country.
Does the declared value affect customs fees?
Yes. Customs authorities commonly use the declared or transaction value as part of the calculation. They may request an invoice or payment confirmation if the declared value is unclear or appears inaccurate.
Does the country where the product is made or shipped from affect the charge?
Yes. The country of origin can affect the tariff rate or eligibility for a trade preference, while the dispatch country determines the route through which the parcel enters the destination. Origin and dispatch are not always the same.
The country in which the product will be packed and shipped from is listed in the “DELIVERY” tab on every product page. You cannot choose a specific country, but the manufacturer will choose the closest country to your location so that the fees will be as low as possible.
Where can I obtain an estimate?
Use the official customs or tax authority website for the destination country or contact that authority directly. Courier calculators can also be useful, but they are estimates and may not include every clearance, brokerage or handling fee.
Collection and Payment
How are duties collected?
The importer or carrier declares the products and their value to customs. The customs office assesses the goods and calculates any required charges when the parcel reaches the border or import facility.
The customs authority may collect the amount directly, or the courier or postal operator may collect it on the authority’s behalf. If payment is not made, the parcel may be delayed.
When will I be asked to pay?
Unless a charge is clearly collected during checkout, customs duties and import taxes are normally requested after the parcel reaches the destination country and before or at delivery. The exact stage depends on the local process and carrier.
Who may contact me for payment?
You may be contacted by the courier, postal operator, customs broker or customs authority through the email address, telephone number or postal address supplied with the order.
Can the courier add a customs-clearance or brokerage fee?
Yes. A courier may charge for preparing declarations, advancing taxes, presenting the shipment to customs, storing it or communicating with the recipient. Such a fee can apply even when the customs duty itself is zero.
How can I check whether a customs-payment request is genuine?
Match the sender with the courier named in your shipping confirmation and confirm that the tracking number, recipient and parcel details are correct. Use the carrier’s official website or customer-service number rather than an unverified link in a message.
Should I pay customs charges to Bazaar Of Designora?
No. Customs payments should be made only through the official customs authority, courier, postal operator or broker requesting them. Bazaar Of Designora does not collect post-dispatch customs payments.
Will my parcel be delivered before customs charges are paid?
Usually not. The parcel can be held until payment and any required documentation are received. Holding periods may be limited, so please respond promptly.
Customs Documentation
What information is shown on a customs declaration?
A customs declaration may include the sender and recipient, product description, quantity, value, weight, country of origin, tariff classification, shipment purpose and tax or registration references required for the route.
Why must the product value be declared?
Customs authorities use the value to calculate duties and taxes, apply exemptions and verify trade information. Incorrectly lowering or hiding the value can lead to delays, reassessment, penalties, seizure or other legal consequences.
Can you declare my order as a gift?
No. A product purchased from Bazaar Of Designora is a commercial sale and must be declared accurately. We cannot mark it as a private gift simply to reduce or avoid customs charges.
Can you declare a lower value?
No. We must provide truthful customs information and cannot understate the price or provide misleading documentation.
Can you remove the value from customs documents?
No. Even if a retail receipt is not placed inside a parcel, the value may still appear on an electronic declaration, commercial invoice or shipping document where required.
Why might customs ask me for an invoice or proof of payment?
Customs may need to confirm the declared value, identify the product or calculate the correct charges. Your Bazaar Of Designora order confirmation can usually be used as purchase evidence.
Customs Clearance and Delays
Can customs inspect my parcel?
Yes. Customs authorities may inspect, scan or open a parcel to verify its declaration, value, safety, restrictions or compliance. This is outside Bazaar Of Designora’s control.
Can customs clearance delay my order?
Yes. A parcel may wait for inspection, classification, payment, documentation or release. Customs delays are separate from production and normal transport time.
How long does customs clearance take?
There is no universal timeframe. Some parcels clear quickly; others take days or longer depending on workload, destination, documents, inspection and how quickly the recipient responds.
Why does tracking say that my parcel is held by customs?
It generally means that the parcel is awaiting routine processing, payment, inspection or additional information. Check the tracking page and your messages for instructions.
What should I do if customs requests more information?
Respond through the official channel before the stated deadline. You may be asked for an invoice, proof of payment, identification or a clearer product description.
Can Bazaar Of Designora contact customs on my behalf?
We can provide order-related information or documents that we hold, but the recipient may still need to communicate directly with the customs authority or carrier. Local authorities may discuss an import only with the recipient or an authorized representative.
What should I do if the parcel remains in customs for a long time?
Check the carrier tracking page and contact the carrier first. Ask whether payment or documentation is missing. If you need an order confirmation or other store document, contact Bazaar Of Designora with your order number and tracking number.
Multiple Products and Separate Parcels
Can separate parcels from one order be charged separately?
Yes. Bazaar Of Designora products may be manufactured by different suppliers and arrive in separate packages. Customs authorities and carriers may assess each parcel independently.
Can one order have several customs declarations?
Yes. When products are produced or shipped separately, each parcel can have its own declaration, tracking number, value and customs decision.
Why might I receive more than one customs-payment request?
You may receive a separate request for each parcel, carrier or import entry. Match every request to the correct tracking number before paying.
Can items made in different countries have different customs charges?
Yes. Different origin, value, product category, carrier and import route can lead to different assessments, even when the products were bought in one checkout.
Refused or Unpaid Customs Charges
What happens if I refuse to pay customs charges?
The parcel may be held, returned to the supplier, abandoned or destroyed according to the customs authority’s and carrier’s rules. Storage, return, disposal or administration costs may also arise. In such cases, Bazaar Of Designora is not required to give refunds.
What happens if I ignore a customs-payment request?
After the carrier’s holding period expires, the parcel may be returned or disposed of. Please check the notice and tracking information promptly. In such cases, Bazaar Of Designora is not required to give refunds.
Will a parcel returned because of unpaid customs charges be sent again?
Reshipping is not automatic. Contact us after tracking confirms the return. If the parcel reaches the supplier and can be sent again, additional delivery or handling costs may apply, but the free shipping offer per product is only available once. The applicable result is explained on the Returns page.
Can I receive a refund if I refuse customs charges?
No automatic refund is available simply because customs charges were refused. Bazaar Of Designora’s products are made on demand, and the Returns page applies. Any review can take place only after the parcel’s final status and any return, storage or disposal costs are known.
Can Bazaar Of Designora refund fees collected by customs or a courier?
No. Customs duties, import taxes, brokerage fees and carrier handling charges are paid to third parties, not to Bazaar Of Designora. Any reimbursement request must be made to the authority or carrier that collected the amount.
Regional Information
Do customs charges apply to orders delivered within the European Union?
Goods shipped within the same EU customs territory generally do not face customs duty at an internal border. However, a product fulfilled from outside the EU may still go through import clearance before reaching an EU customer.
Can customs charges apply when a product is fulfilled outside the European Union?
Yes. A parcel sent from a non-EU customs territory to an EU destination can be subject to import VAT, customs duty or carrier charges according to the rules in force.
Can products in the same order be dispatched from different customs territories?
Yes. Our manufacturers operate around the world, so products can be made, packed and dispatched from different countries. Each parcel follows the rules for its own route.
Do the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway and other non-EU countries have separate rules?
Yes. These destinations have their own customs, VAT, thresholds, declarations and carrier practices. Please consult the official authority for the destination country.
Can customs rules change after I place an order?
Yes. Rates, thresholds, procedures, sanctions and carrier fees can change. Customs normally applies the rules in force when the parcel is imported or cleared.
Contact and Assistance
What should I do if I receive an unexpected customs charge?
Check the tracking number, product, amount and identity of the carrier or authority. Ask for a breakdown of duty, tax and carrier fees. If you believe the amount is incorrect, contact the collector before the payment deadline.
Who should I contact about the amount charged?
Contact the customs authority, courier, postal operator or broker named on the notice. They calculated or collected the charge and can explain the rate, value and fees.
Where can I find the dispatch country of a product?
The country in which a product will be made, packed and shipped from is listed in the “DELIVERY” tab on every product page. If more than one country is listed, the system will normally choose a facility in the same continent as the shipping address and, where possible, in the same country.
How can I contact Bazaar Of Designora?
For order documents or general assistance, use the Contact page or email info@bazaarofdesignora.com. We can explain our order and fulfilment information, but the customs authority or carrier remains responsible for the final import decision.
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