When a parcel crosses an international border, the destination country may charge import duty and taxes before it is delivered. This page explains, in plain terms, what those charges are, who pays them, and how they are worked out. It is general guidance only — the exact amount is always decided by the destination country’s customs authority.
What are duty and tax?
Import duty is a charge a country applies to goods brought in from abroad. On top of duty, many countries add a sales tax or VAT/GST. Together these are often called “duties and taxes” or “customs charges”.
Who pays?
Duties and taxes are almost always payable at the destination and are the responsibility of the receiver. If the receiver does not pay, the charges — and any return costs — may fall back to the sender. We collect the shipping charge from you; we do not collect destination duties on the receiver’s behalf unless specifically agreed.
How are they calculated?
Every country sets its own rules, so charges vary by destination. In general, duty and tax depend on:
- The declared value of the goods (and sometimes the shipping cost).
- What the item is — different product categories are taxed at different rates.
- The destination country’s thresholds and rates, including any low-value exemption (“de minimis”) below which small shipments may be duty-free.
Because these are set by customs at the destination, we cannot predict the exact amount in advance and cannot be held responsible for charges levied abroad.
Why an accurate declaration matters
Customs assess your shipment from the invoice or declaration you provide. An accurate description, quantity and value help your parcel clear smoothly. Under-declaring value to reduce duty is illegal and can lead to fines, seizure or long delays.
Sending to India (imports)
For shipments arriving into India, final billing may be confirmed on the actual or volumetric weight after customs, and applicable customs duty is payable by the receiver. Deliveries can be held until duties are paid and the required documents are provided.
A note on estimates
Any duty or tax figure we mention is an estimate to help you plan — not a quote from customs. The destination authority has the final say. We recommend the receiver is prepared to pay import charges so delivery is not delayed.
Questions?
For help understanding likely charges for a specific destination, contact us at hello@sagarairexpress.com or +91 99997 77651 before you ship.