How are the goods declared on the package?

When we ship a package outside the European Union, we are legally required to accurately declare the contents for customs. We do this in a way that complies with all international regulations.

What does the declaration look like?

On the outside of the package, we attach a transparent sleeve with the necessary customs documents. These include:

• Description: A clear, English description (e.g., "Steel sword replica for decoration").
• Value: The actual value of the product as stated on the invoice.
• HS codes: International tariff codes that inform customs of the applicable tax rate.

Can you lower the value on the form so I have to pay less?

No, that is not possible. We understand that import costs can take a significant chunk out of your budget, but we cannot adjust the value on the customs forms or mark the package as a 'gift'.

• Legal obligation: As a registered company, we are legally required to declare the actual sales value. Deliberately declaring an incorrect value is considered tax fraud.
• Insurance: The package is insured based on the declared value. If we declare a lower amount and the package is lost, we cannot claim the actual value from the delivery service, which means we cannot offer you full compensation.

Why is this often possible with webshops from China and not with Celtic WebMerchant?

It is a well-known phenomenon that shipments from, for example, China are often declared with an extremely low value (e.g., $5), even though the contents are much more expensive.

• Legislation and enforcement: The rules in Europe (and for European companies) are very strict, and the controls are intensive. Webshops outside the EU often operate under different jurisdictions where enforcement in this area is less strict.
• Risk for the customer: However, customs are not unaware. They use advanced systems and often know very well what the average value of a product is. If they suspect that the value is declared too low, they can hold the package and ask you for an official proof of payment.
• Fines: When customs discover that the value is incorrectly declared, you as the importer (the recipient) risk not only having to pay the correct tax but also a hefty administrative fine.

At Celtic WebMerchant, we choose an honest and transparent approach. This ensures that your package is not unnecessarily held due to fraud investigations and that your shipment is fully insured during transport.