Understanding Customs Duties and Import Taxes
What are customs duties, who pays them, and how to calculate import taxes when shipping internationally.
Customs duties and import taxes are charges imposed by destination countries when goods cross international borders. Understanding these costs is essential for accurate budgeting and avoiding unexpected fees.
What Are Customs Duties?
Customs duties are taxes levied by governments on imported goods. Rates vary by product category (HS code), country of origin, and destination. Some countries also charge VAT, GST, or sales tax on imported items.
Who is Responsible?
Unless you arrange Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping, the recipient pays all customs duties and taxes. Freight forwarders like Kassongo do not include these charges in shipping quotes because they're determined by destination customs authorities.
Use online duty calculators or consult with a customs broker to estimate costs before shipping. Declaring accurate values on commercial invoices helps avoid delays and penalties.
Need help navigating customs? Contact our compliance team for guidance.
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