Customs and duties
How duty rates, customs valuation and import VAT combine into the price your buyer actually pays at the border.
The paperwork that clears a shipment is the same paperwork that decides what you pay, so getting it right the first time saves both delay and duty.
A tariff code sets the duty rate, and the same product can land in different codes depending on material or function. Build a written classification per SKU with the reasoning behind it, so a customs broker or auditor can follow the logic rather than guess at it.
Read the customs documentation articles
Declared value drives duty and VAT, and it has to include the elements the destination country counts, such as freight or royalties in some jurisdictions. Keep the commercial invoice consistent with the packing list and the order record; mismatches are what trigger holds and post-clearance audits.
Browse valuation and duty articles
Customs authorities can review entries years after the goods arrive. Store the invoice, classification note, proof of origin and shipping documents together per shipment, and note who changed what and when. Origin evidence matters most: a preference claim without supporting records can be reversed and billed later.
See recordkeeping guidanceHS codes decide your customs duty, delays and penalties. Learn how the six-digit code is structured, how to classify products correctly and keep codes stable.
Daniel R. Whitaker ·
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