All items entering a foreign country are subject to customs inspection and assessment of duties, taxes, and fees in accordance with that country’s national laws. This is not new. Customs duties and taxes are assessed, generally, if the item sent is dutiable and if the value of the item is above the threshold set by the country’s laws. Each country assesses customs, duties, and taxes. Check the Worlds Customs Organization Web site for general information or visit the web site of that country’s customs service.

It is important to understand that, if duties and taxes are assessed on an item mailed via the Postal Service, they are collected from the recipient. Postage is charged to cover the cost of delivery only. Postage does not cover charges assessed by customs in the destination country.