Duties and taxes explained.
Duty and tax are charged by the country your box arrives in, not by Bringbox. For certain destinations we handle them up front so there is nothing to pay when the box turns up. For others they are settled on arrival, and we always tell you which applies before you pay.
Who is actually charging you
It helps to know that duty and tax are not a shipping fee. They are charged by the government of the country the goods are entering, based on what the goods are and what they are worth. Every country sets its own rates and thresholds.
Paid up front, or paid on arrival
There are two ways this works, and it depends on the destination.
Handled up front. Duty, tax and the customs clearance fee are worked out and collected before your box ships. The box then arrives with nothing more to pay, and we deal with the paperwork.
Settled on arrival. For some destinations, duty and tax are paid to the courier when the box is delivered. In that case they are not included in our price, and we say so clearly before you pay.
Your summary at the point of shipping always shows which applies to you.
Handled up front today: Australia, New Zealand, Dubai & the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. Your box arrives with nothing more to pay.
Settled on arrival today: Canada. Duty and tax are collected by the carrier when the box lands, so budget for them separately.
What the amount is based on
Usually the declared value of the goods, sometimes with shipping included, depending on the country. This is why we ask what is in your box and what it is worth. An honest declaration is both a legal requirement and the thing that keeps your box moving.
Do I pay customs when my box arrives?
This is the question people really want answered, so here is the plain answer. For destinations where duties are handled up front, no. Your box arrives and there is nothing to pay. For other destinations, duty and tax are paid to the courier on delivery.
Your shipping summary states which applies before you pay, and it never changes silently between ordering and arriving.
If duties were handled up front for your destination and the courier still asks for a payment, do not pay before speaking to us. Send us a photo of the paperwork and we will sort it out.
Can customs hold my box?
Any shipment can be selected for inspection, whether or not duties were paid up front. It is uncommon and it is not a sign anything is wrong. Customs or the courier may contact you directly for documents, so watch your email including spam and reply quickly, because that is usually what releases it fastest.
Personal shopping versus commercial
Customs are generally relaxed about personal shopping. Where people run into trouble is quantity. Ten of the same item looks like stock rather than shopping, and can be treated as a commercial import, which is a different and slower process.
Good to know.
Does Bringbox charge duty and tax?
No. Duty and tax are charged by the country your box arrives in. For certain destinations we collect them up front and handle the paperwork, so there is nothing to pay on arrival.
Do I pay anything when my box is delivered?
For destinations where duties are handled up front, no, there is nothing to pay. For other destinations, duty and tax are paid to the courier on delivery, and we tell you which applies before you pay us.
What is duty calculated on?
Usually the declared value of the goods, and in some countries the shipping cost as well. This is why we ask what is in your box and what it is worth.
Why does buying a lot of the same item cause problems?
Large quantities of one item can be treated as a commercial import rather than personal shopping, which is a different and slower customs process.
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