Customs, Duties, and Taxes
When you order from Kiwi Kandy, your parcel travels across international borders to get to you. Because of this, your order may be subject to import duties and taxes, which are determined by the customs authority in your country.
While most of our parcels clear customs without any extra charges, some countries are stricter than others. Customers in the UK, Canada, and Europe should be particularly aware that duties may be charged. Each country has its own laws regarding import fees for different types of goods. As an international seller, Kiwi Kandy must comply with all local legislation, which means any applicable duties are charged upon the parcel’s arrival in your country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t you include duties and taxes in your prices?
Import duties and taxes are charged by the government of the destination country, not by Kiwi Kandy. These fees are only determined when the parcel arrives and is inspected by local customs based on the value and contents. Because we have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they might be, we are unable to include them in our pricing.
Who is responsible for paying these fees?
The payment of any local duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees is the sole responsibility of the receiver of the parcel.
How are these charges calculated?
Customs authorities calculate duties based on several factors, including the value of the items, the type of goods, and the country of origin. Whether an item is marked as a gift or not, it must still go through the standard import procedures as required by law in the destination country.
My shipping was paid for. Why am I being asked to pay more?
The payment you made to us covers the cost of the products and the shipping fee to transport your parcel from New Zealand to your country. The additional charges you may be asked to pay are import duties and taxes levied by your government for bringing foreign goods into the country. These are separate from the shipping costs.
What kind of charges might I expect?
Depending on your country’s laws and the value of your order, potential charges could include:
- Customs import duties
- Local sales tax (e.g., VAT, GST)
- An administrative or “advance payment” surcharge from the courier for handling the customs process.