To provide a smoother cross-border shopping experience for customers worldwide, TCMBUY generally uses a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) model for most countries and regions. This means:
We cover the applicable duties and taxes, and customers usually do not need to pay additional customs duties or VAT when the parcel clears customs in the destination country.
However, customs policies vary by country and may change at any time. Certain product categories, such as traditional Chinese medicine, herbal products, and plant-based products, may also be subject to stricter import regulations. In addition, some countries may impose mandatory taxes or inspection-related fees. To keep our policy clear and transparent, please read the following information carefully.
1. DDP Countries and Regions
We support DDP duty-paid shipping for many countries and regions, including but not limited to:
- United States
- Canada
- Major EU countries, such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and others
- United Kingdom
- Australia and New Zealand
- Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and others
- Some Middle Eastern countries
- Most common international shipping destinations
For these destinations, customers usually do not need to pay any additional taxes or customs fees.
2. Possible Exceptions Where Taxes or Fees May Apply
Although we make every effort to clear shipments under the DDP model, customers may still be required to pay taxes or fees in the following situations:
1. Mandatory Customs Charges Imposed by the Destination Country
Some countries have mandatory tax systems or random customs inspection procedures, such as:
- South American countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, where customs duties may be strictly enforced
- Non-EU countries such as Norway and Switzerland, which have special tax systems
- Some Middle Eastern countries
- Cases where customs conducts random inspections and imposes mandatory charges
These charges are usually imposed by the government of the destination country and are beyond our control.
2. Special Product Categories
Traditional Chinese medicine, herbal products, and plant-based products may be classified in some countries as:
- Specially regulated goods
- Health or quarantine-related products
- Products requiring a higher level of inspection
If manual inspection, laboratory testing, or additional procedures are triggered, some countries may require the customer to pay:
- Health or quarantine inspection fees
- Review or processing fees
- Special inspection fees
- Additional customs duties or VAT
3. Import Declaration and Customer Information Requirements
Some countries may require customers to:
- Provide identification documents
- Complete import declaration forms
- Provide a recipient tax ID, such as Brazil CPF, Korea PCCC, or similar local tax/import identification numbers
If the customer fails to provide the required information in a timely manner, additional fees may be incurred and shall be borne by the customer.
3. Responsibility for Taxes and Fees
To clearly define the responsibilities of both parties, please note the following:
1. If the parcel clears customs normally in a DDP-covered country, the customer does not need to pay any additional fees.
2. If taxes or fees are mandatorily imposed by the destination country’s customs authority, such charges shall be borne by the customer.
These charges are beyond our control, and customs policies vary from country to country.
3. If the customer refuses to pay mandatory customs charges and the parcel is returned or destroyed, the order will not be eligible for a refund.
4. If the taxes or fees fall within the scope of our DDP service responsibility, we will cover them.
For example, this may include general customs duties or standard import VAT that are not classified as mandatory or exceptional charges by the destination country.
4. Important Notes for Customers
To help your parcel clear customs smoothly, please note the following:
- Please understand the basic import policies of your country or region before placing an order.
- If customs requires you to provide identification documents or a tax ID, please cooperate in a timely manner.
- Traditional Chinese medicine and plant-based products may be subject to stricter regulations in some countries.
- Tax and customs policies may change at any time due to changes in local laws and regulations.
5. Why We Use DDP Shipping
We use the DDP model because we aim to provide customers with:
- Faster customs clearance
- Lower delivery risk
- More transparent shopping costs
- A better cross-border shopping experience
Even so, we must comply with the customs laws and import regulations of each destination country. Therefore, the exceptions and disclaimers mentioned above shall still apply.
6. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our tax policy, please feel free to contact us:
- Customer service email: [[email protected]]
- Working hours: Weekdays, 10:00–18:00 (UTC+8)
We will do our best to provide support and assistance.