How is a package cleared through customs in the destination country?
Upon arrival in the destination country, the cargo is sent to a customs terminal. A state customs inspector evaluates the value of the parcel by analyzing the amount declared in the documents and the data in their country’s customs databases. Following this, two scenarios are possible:
- Duty-free import. If the declared customs value of the parcel matches the country’s average and does not exceed the customs limit, the cargo is handed over to the courier and proceeds to the recipient.
- Payment of duties and import taxes. These are calculated if the value of the shipment exceeds the duty-free limit. You can check the de minimis thresholds for different countries via this link.
If duty payment is required, the recipient will receive a notification via email or WhatsApp. The message will look approximately like this:
“Dear customer, you have a parcel with tracking number RB*******78CN. You need to pay an import tax in the amount of 10 EUR. You can do this via the link in this message.”
Additionally, in this notification, the customs inspector may request additional documents or information regarding the parcel. Such a request is often related to local legislative requirements or additional questions concerning the value and contents of the cargo.
After the tax is paid, the courier service will deliver your shipment to the specified address.
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