Duty and Tax Prepayment

Regulations set by your country impose duties and taxes on imports from foreign countries. The amounts vary based on the declared order value, commodity details, and country of origin. If a merchant does not collect duties and taxes at the time of purchase and does not designate the shipment as duties and taxes paid, it is ultimately the recipient’s responsibility to pay the import duties and/or taxes.

No. You may choose not to prepay by selecting “No thanks” or by waiting for the prepayment window to expire. Delivery of your package will proceed if prepayment is not received. However, once it arrives in the destination country, it will be subject to duties and/or tax collections from your local Customs agency or delivery service provider using their preferred method (collect on delivery, collect at post office, etc.). If you choose to prepay, your package will clear customs with the duties and taxes paid and there will be no additional charges due upon delivery.

DHL eCommerce will hold your package for up to 72 hours in the origin country to allow time for the prepayment of duties and/or taxes. When prepaid, your package will be delivered within 3-9 business days after payment is received. If prepayment is not received, your package will be subject to duties and/or tax collections from your local Customs agency or the delivery service provider using their preferred method (collect on delivery, collect at post office, etc.). 

The customs entry fee covers the added cost of collecting prepayment, remitting this payment to the local customs authority, and expediting the custom’s clearance process. Local customs agencies and delivery service providers charge a similar fee to collect duties and/or taxes from the recipient when they are owed. Customs entry fees may vary depending on the on party involved in the transaction.