Every international parcel passes through customs in the destination country, and the first thing customs look at is your declaration: the list of items, their descriptions and their values. Getting it right is the easiest way to avoid delays. This guide explains what to fill in when you book with Quantium Solutions, and who pays any duty.
Describe every item clearly and honestly
When you book, you list each item in the parcel with a description, the quantity and the value of each one in THB. Be specific. Write "cotton T-shirt" or "ceramic coffee mug", not "clothes" or "gift". A vague description gives customs a reason to stop and ask questions.
Declare the real value. Customs use the declared value to decide whether duty is due and how much. Under-declaring can mean delays, fines, or the parcel being returned or seized. It is not worth the risk, even for a small saving.
You also say where each item was made. This is the country where it was manufactured, not where you bought it.
What an HS code is
An HS code is an international product code that customs around the world use to classify goods. Our booking form accepts codes of 6 to 10 digits. If you do not know the code, use the lookup: press the magnifier icon next to the field and search for your item.
Parcels to the United States need the full 10-digit US code. The lookup offers it, so pick the 10-digit option when you are sending there.
For some destinations, the form also shows each item's value, and the total declared value, in the destination's customs currency. That is the figure customs there will see.
Who pays duty and taxes
Duty and taxes on an international parcel can be paid in one of two ways: collected by us when you book, or billed to the receiver when the parcel arrives.
When you send from Thailand, any duty we collect is shown in the price before you pay, as part of the full price of each service. Where duty is not collected at booking, the receiver may be billed by customs on arrival. It is a good idea to let the person you are sending to know this in advance.
Sending to the European Union
For EU destinations, an IOSS number makes a difference. If you have a valid IOSS number, usually provided by the online seller, enter it at booking. EU import VAT and duty are then collected by us at booking, so the receiver does not pay them on arrival (this is known as DDP). Without an IOSS number, customs bill the receiver on arrival (known as DDU).
A quick checklist before you book
- A clear, specific description for every item.
- The correct quantity and the real value of each item in THB.
- The country where each item was made.
- An HS code of 6 to 10 digits, or the full 10-digit code for the United States.
- An IOSS number, if you have one, for EU destinations.
If you are unsure how to describe something, or whether it can be sent at all, contact us before you book. A question is much easier to sort out before the parcel leaves than after.