Customs regulations

What goods are prohibited from being sent across the border?

• Weapons and ammunition
• Explosives and pyrotechnics
• Narcotics and psychotropic substances
• Pornographic materials
• Endangered animals and plants
• Certain types of food, such as meat and dairy products.

For a more detailed list, see the following link.
Sending prohibited goods can result in confiscation of the package and legal consequences.

What are customs duties and how are they calculated?

Customs duties are taxes imposed by a country on goods imported into its territory. These duties are charged and paid in the destination country. The amount depends on the value of the item, its category, and the country of import. If the value of the parcel exceeds the duty-free limit, the recipient is required to pay a duty, which can range from 15% to 30% of the item’s value. The value is confirmed by receipts and invoices or determined by customs based on local regulations.

Who pays customs duties and taxes?

Usually, customs duties and taxes are paid by the recipient of the parcel. In some cases, the sender can choose to cover the fees in advance.

To avoid delays at customs:

• Fill out the customs declaration accurately and in detail. Avoid vague descriptions such as “clothes,” “used goods,” “humanitarian aid,” “souvenirs,” “parts,” etc.
• Keep all receipts for the items you purchased.
• Declare the actual value of the goods.
• Avoid shipping items that could raise questions with customs authorities.

What to do if your parcel is held at customs?

If your parcel is delayed, you will receive a notice with details about the reason. In most cases, customs will request additional documents or payment of duties. Please contact our support team for assistance.

What happens if customs duties are not paid?

If the recipient refuses to pay the customs duties, a notice will be sent to the sender. Usually, a period of 30 calendar days is given to make the payment (this may vary by country). If no payment is made within that period, the parcel will be disposed of by customs in the destination country.

If the parcel contains sanctioned or prohibited items:

• Customs may decide to destroy the parcel entirely.
• In some cases, sanctioned items will be confiscated, and the remaining contents may be delivered.
• For economy shipping (e.g., via Atlantic Express, Innovation), the parcel will be destroyed.
• For express shipping (e.g., via USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL), the parcel will be returned to the sender at their expense.
• Legal actions may be taken against the sender or recipient depending on the parcel’s contents, in both the sending and receiving countries.

Are there special rules for shipping commercial cargo?

Yes. Commercial shipments may require additional documents, such as invoices, certificates of conformity, etc., depending on the type of cargo. Customs duties and taxes may also apply based on the category of goods.

We offer a service for full customs clearance (including duty and tax payment) for shipments to Russia, Kazakhstan, and Armenia — simplifying the process for our clients. For other countries, customs clearance must be done by the recipient.