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  Buyers: Receiving Internationally
Sellers handle all the shipping responsibilities for items that you purchase. Buyers typically pay all shipping costs. The international shipping tips below will help you better understand the few extra steps that sellers take to ship internationally.
What You need to know Back to top

Shipping Costs
International shipping costs are based on a combination of the following:

  • Weight and dimensions of package
  • Method of shipment such as Ground, Next Day Air, etc.
  • The location the seller is shipping from (city, state or province, country)
  • The location the seller is shipping to (also called the destination country) Therefore, costs may vary greatly depending on what, where and how the seller is shipping, and can be considerably higher for international destinations.

Generally, buyers pay additional costs that may apply such as duties, taxes and customs clearance fees. For example, international rates may or may not include pickup and door-to-door delivery with customs clearance. Your package will arrive at your door, but then you might need to pay extra international fees.

If you are a Canadian buyer purchasing goods from outside of Canada, you should check with the seller to determine whether the fees (including customs clearance charges), duties and taxes are included in the purchase price.

Transit Times and Services
The transit time for international shipments varies depending on the seller's country and your location. It varies depending on where you're located and where your package is coming from. International shipments, of course, usually take longer than domestic deliveries. Customs clearance can increase the delivery time if your package is held up by customs officials.

Insurance
It is usually best to insure packages when shipping internationally. You should ask sellers to insure international shipments if their carrier does not provide automatic coverage. Some carriers automatically protect your package from loss or damage up to $100 (this value depends on your carrier) of your item's value. If your item is worth more than $100 you may want the seller to purchase additional insurance on your behalf.

Customs and International Documentation
All shipments being exported or imported must clear customs and specific documentation is required. Customs is a government agency responsible for regulating shipments entering a country. All shipments being sent to and from a country must clear customs first.

The seller needs to provide the correct documentation so that your item won't be held indefinitely by customs. The carrier can easily arrange for customs clearance before the seller ships. Generally, there are two standard documents required; the customs clearance document and the NAFTA certificate of origin. However, depending on the commodity/product being shipped, documentation requirements may vary for shipping to either country.

Be aware that certain items are not permitted in various countries. It is the seller's responsibility to comply with government regulations or laws of each country.

Proper packaging is very important for international shipments as they will undergo much more handling than domestic packages. Proper packaging includes using a sturdy box, properly cushioning the contents, securely closing the package, and using proper labeling.

Please note: This shipping information is provided to you for your general information purposes and may not be applicable or accurate for shipments processed with certain carriers or for goods shipped across certain international borders. Please check with your carrier for any special rules that govern your shipment of goods. For international shipments, please also check with any countries whose borders your shipment may cross for any additional rules, regulations, duties, or taxes that may apply.





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