SHIPPING & LOGISTICS
Global Reach, Local Care
We offer three main ways to ship your order. Sea freight is the cheapest choice for large or heavy wholesale orders and usually takes the longest. Air freight is a middle ground between speed and cost, which suits mid-size orders that need to arrive sooner. Express courier is the fastest option for samples and urgent small parcels, with door-to-door handling. We share tracking details as soon as your shipment leaves, so you can follow it at every stage.
DUTIES & TAXES
How landed costs are calculated
Understanding the charges applied at the border helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises when your shipment arrives.
Import Duties
Duties are set by the destination country and based on each product's HS classification code, country of origin, and declared customs value. Rates vary by material, such as brass, wood, or textiles.
VAT & Sales Taxes
Many countries apply VAT, GST, or a similar import tax, usually calculated on the combined value of goods, shipping, insurance, and duties. These are collected at customs clearance.
Who Pays
Responsibility depends on the agreed Incoterm. Under DAP the buyer settles duties and taxes on arrival; under DDP they are prepaid by the seller and included in the quote.
TRADE TERMS GLOSSARY
Know who pays for what, and when
Incoterms define where responsibility, cost and risk pass from seller to buyer. Here are the terms you will see most often on cross-border quotes.
EXW — Ex Works
The seller makes goods available at their premises. The buyer arranges and pays for pickup, export clearance, freight, insurance and import duties, and carries the risk from collection onward.
FOB — Free On Board
The seller clears goods for export and loads them onto the vessel at the named port. Risk passes to the buyer once goods are on board; the buyer covers ocean freight, insurance and import costs.
CIF — Cost, Insurance & Freight
The seller pays freight and minimum insurance to the destination port. Risk still transfers to the buyer when goods are loaded at origin; the buyer handles import clearance and duties.
Duties & Taxes
Import duties and taxes are charged by the destination country's customs authority and depend on product classification (HS code), declared value and local regulations.
Common Questions
How are international shipments arranged?
We coordinate packing, documentation and freight for each order. Shipping method and timelines are confirmed with you before dispatch, based on order size and destination.
Who pays customs duties and import taxes?
Responsibility for duties and taxes depends on the agreed trade terms. We clarify these costs in your quotation so there are no surprises at the border.
Which trade terms (Incoterms) do you work with?
Trade terms define where risk and cost transfer from seller to buyer. Let us know your preference and we will confirm the terms in writing before your order is placed.
What documents come with my order?
Cross-border shipments typically require a commercial invoice, packing list and shipping documents. We prepare the paperwork your shipment needs and share copies with you.
Need a Custom Solution?
Every shipment is different. Speak with a trade specialist about your order, shipping route, duties or trade terms.