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Customs Clearance for Parcels: How It Works
What happens to an international parcel at the border, from the electronic data sent ahead to inspection and release, and who is responsible at each step.
Global Freight
Customs and Duties
Paperwork, taxes and rules for parcels that cross borders.
Commercial Invoices and Customs Declarations Explained
What a commercial invoice and a customs declaration contain, how the two relate, which details customs relies on, and the common errors that cause problems.
Customs Brokers and What They Handle
What a customs broker does, which tasks they take on for importers and exporters, how fees typically work, and when hiring one is worthwhile for parcel sellers.
De Minimis Thresholds for Low-Value Parcels
How de minimis value limits waive duties or simplify clearance on low-value parcels, why they differ by country and tax type, and why sellers should check them often.
Delivered Duty Paid vs Delivered at Place
Compares DDP and DAP shipping terms: who pays duties, taxes and fees, who handles clearance, and how each affects the buyer experience and a seller's costs.
Harmonized System Codes and Product Classification
How the Harmonized System organises goods into numeric codes, how to classify a product for customs, and why accurate codes affect duty, restrictions and delays.
Import Duties and Taxes: How They Are Calculated
How import duty is worked out from classification, customs value and origin, how sales tax or VAT is layered on, with a simple worked example for a parcel.
Incoterms for Small Parcel Sellers
An introduction to Incoterms and how these trade terms divide cost, risk and responsibility between seller and buyer, with the terms most relevant to parcels.
Restricted and Prohibited Items in International Shipping
Why some goods are banned or limited across borders, the categories commonly affected, the difference between prohibited and restricted, and how to check before you ship.
Why Parcels Get Held at Customs and How to Avoid Delays
The most common reasons international parcels are held at customs, from unpaid duties and vague descriptions to missing permits, and practical steps to reduce delays.
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