1. Complete Accurate and Detailed Documentation

Accurate and detailed documentation is crucial for smooth customs clearance. Ensure that your customs declaration is meticulously completed and includes a clear description of the goods (Ex: “Men’s Cotton T-Shirt” instead of “Shirt”), their value, and quantity. Don’t forget to include your selling channel URL and any required tax IDs to assist with identification and compliance. Any errors or omissions can lead to delays, fines, or other complications. Additionally, provide the recipient’s full name, the company name when applicable, and a valid phone number. This information will also come in handy when your parcel is out for delivery–incorrect or incomplete data can lead to non-delivery, disposal, or returns.

2. Properly Classify Your Goods

Correctly classifying goods using Harmonized System (HS) codes is essential for smooth customs clearance. HS codes determine the duties and taxes applied to shipments. Inaccurate classification can lead to delays, fines, or even seizure of goods. Merchants should use available resources such as GlobalPost’s free HS Code Lookup Tool to ensure precise classification. Accurate classification not only expedites customs processing but also helps in maintaining compliance with international trade regulations.

3. Understand and Comply with Destination Country Regulations

Understanding and complying with the specific regulations of the destination country is crucial for successful customs clearance. Each country has unique requirements regarding prohibited items and restricted goods. Ensuring compliance with these rules minimizes the risk of shipments being delayed or rejected at customs, thereby facilitating a smoother shipping process and enhancing overall efficiency. Check out our FAQs  for more information on prohibited and restricted items, or contact us if you have questions about a specific destination country.

4. Consider Prepaying Duties and Taxes

Prepaying duties and taxes can expedite customs clearance and enhance customer satisfaction. By calculating and settling these fees in advance, merchants can avoid unexpected costs and delays at customs. This proactive approach not only speeds up delivery times but also provides a transparent and hassle-free experience for customers, fostering trust and loyalty. GlobalPost makes it easy to pay taxes and duties on your international parcels. GlobalPost Plus is a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) service that lets you ship parcels up to 66 lb to the world’s largest markets, including Canada, Mexico, Australia, Germany, France and the U.K. We also offer GlobalPost Go, a flat-rate shipping service for parcels up to 2 lb going to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong that’s inclusive of all taxes and duties. You can also use our free Duties & Taxes Calculator to estimate import duties and taxes for hundreds of countries worldwide.

5. Provide Accurate Valuations

Providing accurate valuations of shipped goods is crucial for customs clearance. The declared value on the commercial invoice must reflect the true market value of the items. Inaccurate valuations can lead to delays, fines, or additional scrutiny from customs authorities. Merchants should ensure all valuations are precise and well-documented to facilitate smooth processing. Accurate valuations help in avoiding complications and ensure a more efficient and transparent customs clearance process.

Experience True Hassle-Free International Shipping With GlobalPost

GlobalPost is the carrier of choice for growing businesses, designed from the ground up to make international shipping easy. Our hassle-free solutions help you reach new customers in new places. We handle the complexities so you can focus on what matters most: getting more products to more customers. From tariff codes to duties and taxes, we make global shipping as easy as local. Get in touch with our team to learn how we can help you with your international shipping needs.

Other Resources

Are you using ShipStation, Stamps.com, or ShippingEasy to create a GlobalPost label? Check out these Help Center articles for tips on how to encourage a smooth customs clearance.

• Ship Internationally on ShipStation
• Ship Internationally on Stamps.com
• Ship Internationally on ShippingEasy

The post 5 Shipping Tips For Streamlined Customs Clearance appeared first on GlobalPost.

Elevating Global Shipping for UK Retailers

GlobalPost’s entry into the UK is not just about expanding its footprint; it’s about transforming the way UK retailers handle international shipping. With an established reputation for delivering efficient, reliable, and cost-effective shipping solutions, GlobalPost is set to offer UK businesses a comprehensive suite of services designed to streamline cross-border transactions.

GlobalPost Makes International Shipping as easy as local

Through our world-class customer service, easy-to-use technology, and seamless integrations with the world’s top platforms, GlobalPost is modernizing international shipping. We handle the complexities so you can focus on what matters most: getting more products to more customers. From tariff codes to duties and taxes, we make global shipping as easy as local.

• Global reach: Ship to over 200 countries and territories easily.
• Simplified processes: Global address verification, and no need to print customs forms.
• Flexible weight limits: Ship up to 2kg maximum for Economy and 10kg maximum for Standard delivery.
• Fast and Reliable Delivery: International delivery times of 6-11 business days.
• Door-to-door tracking: You and your customers get full visibility into the status of your packages, all the way to delivery.
• Peace of Mind: Up to £50 in included coverage against loss or damage, plus shipping costs.
• Convenient Drop-Off: Easily use any Collect+ and Evri Parcel Stores to get parcels into the GlobalPost network.

GlobalPost’s expansion into the UK represents a significant leap forward for retailers seeking to optimize their global shipping strategies. With its proven track record and commitment to innovation, GlobalPost is poised to become a key partner in helping UK businesses thrive on the international stage. 

The post GlobalPost Brings its International Shipping Expertise to U.K Retailers appeared first on GlobalPost.

• Avoid fines, delays, and penalties associated with noncompliance.
• Reduce security and safety risks. 
• Ensure timely and efficient delivery.
• Prevent customs delays and/or return of non-compliant mail items.

What are Harmonized System Codes

Harmonized System Codes (also referred to as Harmonized Codes, HS codes, HS Tariff codes, etc.)  are universally recognized codes for imported goods. HS codes are used to describe and classify imported goods. They follow the “Harmonized System Nomenclature.” HS codes allow for smoother entry and accurate customs and tariff charges. Once an order reaches an international border, customs officials identify goods and assess appropriate taxes, duties, and fees for items you ship. 

HS codes allow customs officials to quickly identify the contents of a parcel. These codes are six digits long and are comprised of a chapter, heading and subheading. The first two digits are the chapter. This is the broadest category for the item. The second two digits are the heading. And the last two digits are the subheading—these are separated by a period. Let’s look at a cotton t-shirt as an example.

• Chapter 61 is for articles of knitted or crocheted apparel.
• Heading 09 is for t-shirts.
• Subheading .10 is for the material being cotton.

Tools like the Harmonized Tariff Schedule or the more premium Global Tariff Classification Research Tool for Trade.gov Users grant access to detailed lists of HS codes.

And that’s not all. This HS code will also allow you to determine the cost of duties and taxes for your parcel by using GlobalPost’s free Duties and Taxes Calculator

What are Customs Descriptions? 

An equally important requirement for shipping to the EU is providing detailed customs descriptions. These descriptions help provide the appropriate HS codes for each item shipped internationally. These are descriptions of each item that a parcel contains. Historically, the EU has not strongly enforced regulations based on what people write. However, vague descriptions like “gift,” “clothing,” or “artwork” will no longer be acceptable descriptions by the EU. 

Instead of generic terms like “Clothing” for a t-shirt, you would need to provide a detailed customs description such as “T-shirts, singlets and other vests, knitted or crocheted made of cotton.” This terminology is not something you are necessarily expected to know off the top of your head. Instead, there is a wide range of resources available to help you write the appropriate descriptions.  One such tool that provides descriptions is the EU’s Guidance on Acceptable and Unacceptable Terms for the Description of Goods. GlobalPost takes guesswork out of customs declarations by being able to add HS codes to a shipment’s customs forms when the correct customs descriptions are applied. 

Acceptable HS Code Descriptions

Benefits of the EU Requiring HS Codes

Properly filled-out customs forms have always ensured timely and efficient delivery to international recipients. A major benefit of HS codes is that they help you and customers avoid additional charges upon delivery. Additionally, they shorten transit times by moving goods through customs quickly—causing fewer delays for all senders and recipients. A quicker delivery time then leads to increased satisfaction buying internationally. 

Conversely, failure to comply with customs regulations can always lead to additional charges. Improperly applied customs can set unrealistic expectations that result in customers having to pay more duties and taxes to receive their goods. Or, if the sender covers the customs fees, you may be left paying the import fees. Either way, this may result in returned items or the shipment being treated as abandoned. In this case, no one wins. 

GlobalPost Free HS Classification Service: GlobalPost wants international shipping to be hassle-free

Here at GlobalPost we want to make shipping to Paris as easy as shipping to Portland, so we are waiving the requirement to include tariff codes on every shipment. Instead, focus on properly describing your goods (see above) and we’ll handle the work of applying tariff codes.

Still want to do it yourself? No problem, we also provide access to a free HS Tariff Code lookup tool. Use the tool to find your tariff code and include it with your shipment. Once you have your tariff code you can also use that tariff code to determine your duties and taxes with our free duty / tax calculator.

About GlobalPost

GlobalPost is the leading international shipping carrier for small and medium-sized businesses. Through our world-class customer service, easy-to-use technology, and seamless integrations with the world’s top shipping platforms, we help retailers expand into new international markets while saving them money. To learn more about GlobalPost, call us at (888)-899-1255 or send us an email.

The post The EU to Require Harmonized System Codes on Imported Goods appeared first on GlobalPost.