Who is responsible for customs duties and fees on international orders?Updated a month ago
For international orders, shipping costs from our warehouse in Germany to the destination country are covered when shipping is included or paid at checkout. Everything that can be handled on our side — including export processing and any fees that can be prepaid — will be taken care of to ensure a smooth delivery experience.
However, the handling of customs duties, taxes, and import fees depends on the destination country and the shipping method:
United States (standard DHL shipments up to approx. 20 kg): Import duties are covered on the customer's behalf. No additional customs charges will apply upon delivery for standard parcels.
United States (bulky goods & freight shipments): Import duties cannot be covered and remain the responsibility of the recipient.
All other international destinations: Customs duties, taxes, and import fees are determined solely by the regulations of the destination country and are always the responsibility of the customer/recipient.
Every country has its own customs rules, and charges may vary depending on the product type, value, and local legislation. In many cases, shipments pass through without additional costs — however, this is entirely at the discretion of the customs authority in the destination country.
Important Notes
Where customs duties or import fees apply, they must be paid by the recipient. No exceptions can be made.
If duties or fees remain unpaid, the shipment will be returned by customs.
In such cases, the customer is responsible for:
the original outbound shipping cost,
the return shipping cost (often higher for international freight),
and any handling fees associated with the return.
Returned shipments due to unpaid duties may not be eligible for a full refund, depending on the condition of the product and the costs incurred.
What Is Covered
Everything that can legally and logistically be covered is taken care of on our side. This includes:
Export documentation
Carrier fees that can be prepaid
Import duties for standard DHL shipments to the United States
Any shipping-related charges that can be managed in advance
Anything that falls outside of our control — such as duties imposed by the destination country's government — must be handled and paid by the customer.
Recommendation
Checking the customs regulations of the destination country before placing an order is strongly recommended to understand any potential import charges. Tools such as Simply Duty can be helpful for this. This helps avoid unexpected costs and ensures a smooth delivery experience.