Paying Import Duties, Tariffs, and Customs Fees on International Orders

When you purchase an item located in another country, your order may be subject to import duties, tariffs, taxes and customs processing fees imposed by your local customs authority. These charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost and are your responsibility as the buyer.

At 1stDibs, we are closely monitoring changes to U.S. tariffs and international customs policies to understand how they may affect our buyers and sellers. Our goal is to ensure transparency and help you navigate any additional costs associated with international orders.

When Duties and Taxes Apply

When goods are shipped internationally outside of a single customs union (such as the European Union), you will be responsible for any inbound duties and taxes your item might incur as per your local customs authority.

These fees are calculated at the border and are based on:

• The price and nature of item
• The package weight and dimensions
• The origin country
• The destination country

They may be owed before delivery, at the time of delivery or at a later date, depending on your country’s customs process.

What to Expect: Step-by-Step

1. Place Your Order
   After you check out, your item will be prepared by the seller and shipped to your address.
2. Shipment Arrives at Customs
   

   Once the package arrives in your country, it is processed by your local customs authority.

   They assess whether any duties, taxes, or import fees apply based on:

   • The price and nature of item
   • The package weight and dimensions
   • The origin country
   • The destination country
3. Provide Required Personal Information
   

   To clear customs, you may be asked to provide personal identification information such as:

   • SSN (U.S. Social Security Number)
   • EIN (Employer Identification Number)
   • IRN / TIN (Tax Identification Number)
   • EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification)

   The shipping carrier (e.g., FedEx, UPS, DHL) will contact you (via phone, text, or email) directly to request any required information, provide instructions for completing a customs declaration, and notify you of any fees due.

   You must complete payment of any applicable charges before your purchase can be delivered.
4. Pay Any Duties and Taxes
   

   The shipping carrier will communicate to you their process for remitting payment of import duties and will collect any applicable payment owed. These may need to be paid:

   • Before domestic delivery is scheduled
   • At the time of delivery
   • Or in some cases, shortly after delivery, depending on your country’s process
5. Complete Delivery
   After the package has been released by your local customs authority,  the carrier will complete delivery of the package.

Shipping delays due to customs processing are not uncommon. Delays at customs are outside of 1stDibs' control and may extend the delivery date beyond the initial maximum delivery date provided. Delays at customs are unfortunately not eligible for shipping refunds, as they remain outside of 1stDibs' control.

As the buyer, you are responsible for paying any import duties in a timely manner. If import duties are not paid in a timely manner, you are responsible for any actions or charges that may occur. A failure to respond can result in a return-to-sender action by the carrier, incurred reshipment costs, storage fees, or even an abandonment notice. If an item is returned to the seller, you will be charged with any reshipment fees. If the additional expense is not approved, then the item will be discarded by the person / individual holding it. Once an item is discarded, no refund can be processed.

• Additional Resources

  
  For U.S. import questions, please refer to the Customs & Border Protection website.

  For EU import questions, please refer to the European Commission website.

  For UK import questions, please refer to the UK Government website.

  For CAN import questions, please refer to the Canada Border Services Agency website.