# Ecommerce Duties and Customs

> Use accurate classification, origin, value, and shipment data while making the customer’s duty responsibility clear.

- Type: Merchant guide
- Level: Intermediate
- Reading time: About 4 minutes
- Audience: Written for store owners, builders, and designers refining high-performance ecommerce stores.
- Last updated: 2026-11-04
- Canonical page: https://academy.getzenbasket.com/merchant-questions/ecommerce-duties-and-customs/
- Part of: [Merchant Questions](https://academy.getzenbasket.com/merchant-questions/) on ZenBasket Academy

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## What you need to know

### What are customs duties?

Customs duties are charges imposed on imported goods under the destination’s tariff rules. Classification, origin, value, and applicable arrangements influence the amount.

### Who pays customs duties on ecommerce orders?

Responsibility depends on the agreed delivery terms and import setup. State before purchase whether the merchant or recipient handles import duties and related taxes or fees.

### Should duties be calculated during checkout?

When the merchant promises a landed price, estimate or calculate applicable duties before payment using accurate product and destination data. Explain whether the amount is guaranteed or estimated.

### What happens if duties are not shown before purchase?

The recipient may face an unexpected collection request, delay, refusal or return, producing complaints and extra cost. Clear pre-purchase disclosure is essential even when the customer pays on import.

### What product data is needed for customs?

The international offer must connect to an approved customs record containing description, quantity, value, currency, classification, origin and route-specific documentation. **HS Codes, Origin and Customs Delays** explains how those product facts are prepared.

### What is an HS code?

An HS code is the customs classification assigned to a traded product under the Harmonized System and destination tariff schedule. Use the verified product record; see **HS Codes, Origin and Customs Delays** for classification detail.

### What is country of origin?

Country of origin is the legally determined production origin used for the shipment, not merely its dispatch location. This guide uses that governed value for landed-cost and eligibility decisions; **HS Codes, Origin and Customs Delays** covers how origin evidence is established.

### Why are international shipments held by customs?

Identify the exact hold reason and responsible party from the carrier or customs notice, then route the case to classification, document, permit, payment or importer-data owners. Use **HS Codes, Origin and Customs Delays** for the detailed investigation workflow.

### A quick store check

Review the description, classification, origin, value, and documents for the highest-volume cross-border product.

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## Frequently asked questions

### Can the warehouse invent an HS code from a product name?

No. Classification requires accurate product facts and qualified review.

### Is shipping origin always country of origin?

No. Origin follows applicable production rules, not the parcel pickup point.

## Related articles

- **International Ecommerce Shipping**
- **DDP and DAP for Ecommerce Shipping**
- **International Shipping, Duties, DDP and DAP**
- **HS Codes, Origin and Customs Delays**