Customs Duties, Taxes & Import ResponsibilitiesUpdated a day ago
Understanding Duties, Taxes & Import Fees
International shipments may be subject to duties, taxes, VAT, GST, brokerage fees, or other import charges imposed by the destination country. These fees are assessed by local customs authorities and are not controlled by PNW Sanitary or the shipping carrier.
The specific amount varies based on:
- Your country’s import regulations
- The type and value of the products ordered
- Your local customs tariff classifications
- The carrier service selected
Customer Responsibility for Duties & Taxes
All customs duties, taxes, and import fees are the sole responsibility of the customer. These charges are not included unless clearly displayed as part of a prepaid carrier service during checkout.
PNW Sanitary is unable to:
- Estimate or quote duties or taxes in advance
- Modify an invoice to reduce declared value
- Mark shipments as “gift,” “sample,” or assign inaccurate product descriptions
Prepaid Duties & Taxes (UPS / FedEx)
Certain international services from UPS and FedEx offer prepaid duties and taxes. When these services are available to your destination, the total charges will appear automatically during checkout.
These services provide:
- Upfront visibility of landed cost
- No payments due at delivery
- Faster clearance through customs
Non-Prepaid Services (USPS & Some UPS/FedEx Options)
For shipping methods that do not include prepaid duties and taxes:
- Your local postal service or customs agency will determine the amount due
- Payment is typically required before or at the time of delivery
- Additional handling or brokerage fees may apply
Checking Duty or Tax Rates
To estimate duties or taxes in advance, we recommend contacting your country’s customs office. You may be asked for:
- Product descriptions (stainless steel sanitary fittings, tubing, gaskets, etc.)
- Country of origin
- HS code information (provided on request)
Customs Delays
International shipments may be delayed during customs processing. This can occur due to:
- Random inspections
- Backlogged customs facilities
- Documentation review
- Local carrier capacity
These delays are not considered shipping failures and cannot be expedited by PNW Sanitary once the shipment is in the possession of the carrier or customs authority.
Refused or Returned International Shipments
If a shipment is refused, returned due to unpaid customs fees, or cannot be delivered for reasons outside of PNW Sanitary’s control:
- The order is considered final sale
- Shipping costs and duties are non-refundable
- We are unable to accept returns shipped back across international borders
Need Assistance?
If you have questions regarding international shipping services or documentation, please feel free to contact our support team.