Is there a risk of customs duty fees?

Usually – No. However, international customers should be aware that we ship from the USA and even if most of the time there are no duty fees to pay upon delivery, there’s always an unpredictable risk that the package will be randomly picked by the border’s customs agency may occasionally ask you to pay fees. For US orders, there are never any customs duty fees to pay.

For international orders, some countries could charge an import tax when a package goes through the borders customs agency. Unfortunately, the process is random and unpredictable as it really depends on your country’s customs – there is no way to completely avoid the risk, so that’s why there are warnings on the website. All international orders are subject to the possibility of customs duties, no matter where you bought them from. Be assured that our shop doesn’t charge any hidden fee.

You don’t have to pay any sales tax when purchasing on this website. Customs duties must be distinguished from national taxes/sales taxes, such as VAT.

How to avoid customs fees?

The threshold is €150 for Europe or $150 for Canada. If the value of your order is higher than this amount, you must pay customs duties. Below this amount, only the sales taxes (around 15%) could be claimed, and since you have not paid sales tax on our site, it is the same price as if you would have bought from a local business.

Therefore, we recommend keeping the total order value under $150 or €150 to minimize the risk or placing multiple smaller orders instead of just one big order.

If asked to pay fees upon delivery, the recipient has the option to refuse delivery, so the postal service will return the package to the sender to cancel your order, without having to pay the fees. We issue a full refund of the product(s) once the order is returned back to us. 

Who has to pay customs fees?

Warnings are displayed in several places on the website as well as during payment and also in the order confirmation email. The responsibility is unfortunately upon the buyer to pay the amount claimed by the customs of their country.

We understand the frustration of taxed customers, but the shop cannot be held responsible for any charges imposed by the customs services of the recipient’s country. The import tax is the responsibility of the importer and not the sender. To complain, you have to go to customs, but their answer will be that the importer is always responsible for the charges and that’s the way it is everywhere for all international purchases.

What are customs duty fees?

The taxes or additional fees requested are from your government and we have no influence over the amount. Some postal services could add brokerage fees for customs clearance services. Since these fees are not charged by us, we are unable to reimburse you for them.

Custom duties on foreign products are one of the main instruments of capitalist protectionism. By taxing consumers who import international products, the government tries to recover a portion of the sales taxes that escapes it.

For more information about customs fees, we encourage you to speak with your local authorities or your postal service.

From Wikipedia:

Customs duty is a tax levied on goods imported when they cross the border. These duties may be flat or represent a percentage of the price (“ad valorem” duties).
By making foreign products more expensive, this practice seeks to discourage consumption and favor local industries. That is why customs duties are one of the main instruments of capitalist protectionism.
Customs duties are normally paid only on importation. They are the same regardless of the point of entry into the country. (…) Customs duties must be distinguished from national taxes/sales taxes, such as VAT.

 


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Posted on: September 16, 2017 Last update: April 28, 2023