Every parcel that crosses a border passes through customs, and customs rely on what you tell them. When you book with Quantium Solutions from Singapore, the item list you fill in becomes the customs declaration. Getting it right is the simplest way to avoid delays and unexpected charges for the person receiving it.
Describe every item clearly
For each item in the parcel you enter a description, where it was made, the quantity and the value of each one in SGD. Customs officers need to understand what is inside without opening the box, so be specific.
- Write "cotton T-shirt", not "clothes".
- Write "ceramic coffee mug", not "gift".
- List different things as separate items, each with its own quantity and value.
Vague words such as "gift" or "personal items" tell customs very little, and a parcel they cannot understand is more likely to be held for questions.
Declare the real value
Customs use the declared value to decide duty. It can be tempting to write a lower figure, but under-declaring can mean delays, fines, or the parcel being returned or seized. Enter what each item is really worth. If something is a present, declare what it is actually worth, not zero.
For some destinations the booking form also shows each item's value, and the total declared value, in the destination's customs currency. That is how the figures will look to customs at the other end, so it is worth a quick look before you continue.
What an HS code is and how to find one
An HS code is an international product code that tells customs what kind of goods an item is. Our form accepts codes of 6 to 10 digits. You do not need to know them by heart: click the magnifier icon next to the field and search for the item.
Parcels to the United States need the full 10-digit US code. The lookup offers it, so choose the 10-digit option whenever you are sending there.
Who pays duty, and when
When you press Get prices, any duty we collect is included in the price shown before you pay. Where duty is not collected at booking, the receiver may be billed by customs on arrival, so it helps to let the person receiving the parcel know this can happen.
Duty rules differ from one destination to another, and we do not quote general thresholds or rates here. The price you see before paying is the place to check what is being collected now.
Parcels to the European Union work a little differently:
- With a valid IOSS number, which is usually provided by the online seller and entered at booking, we collect the EU import VAT and duty when you book. This is known as DDP.
- Without an IOSS number, customs bill the receiver on arrival. This is known as DDU.
A quick checklist before you book
- A specific description for each item.
- The real value of each item in SGD.
- Where each item was made.
- An HS code for each item, found with the lookup if needed, and 10 digits for the United States.
- An IOSS number, if you have one, for a parcel to the EU.
If you are not sure how to describe something, or whether it can be sent at all, contact us before booking.