When setting up a portal, a shipping method needs to be identified. There are factors that need to be considered when deciding which option is best for your company.

US Shipping Methods

• Economy: The most cost-effective option, best for small packages with no firm delivery date. This will typically ship USPS but may ship ground based on package size/weight. Economy is the only service that will deliver to PO boxes.
• UPS Ground/ FedEx Ground: Best for domestic shipments over 1lb. Will deliver anywhere in the US in less than 6 days. 
• UPS: Offers all UPS delivery services upon checkout - UPS ground, 3-day, 2-day, or next-day air. 
• FedEx: Offers all FedEx delivery services upon check out - FedEx ground, express saver, overnight. 
• Economy + UPS Expedited: Selecting this will allow users to choose at checkout between economy shipping or a specified expedited UPS service (3-day, 2-day, or next-day air).
• Economy + FedEx Expedited: Selecting this will allow users to choose at checkout between economy shipping or a specified expedited UPS service (3-day, 2-day, or next-day air). 

International Shipping Methods

• Economy: The most cost-effective option, best for small packages with no firm delivery date. This will typically ship FedEx DHL Connect. DDP is not available.
• UPS DDP Economy:  Choosing this option will use the most economical international shipping option via UPS with duties and taxes paid by the shipper (DDP). This is best used for time-sensitive packages and gifts, where the receiver is not responsible to pay for duties and taxes upon receipt.
• FedEx DDP Economy:  Choosing this option will use the most economical option via FedEx with duties and taxes paid by the shipper (DDP). Best use cases are similar to UPS.

Shipping International Best Practices

• Recipients must provide their full name, valid address, email address, and current phone number.
• Do not include a business name when shipping to a residential address.
• Addresses are limited to 30 characters max.
• When choosing a shipping method, decide if you would like the recipient to pay for all tax and duties upon receipt of the package or not.
• When shipping to EU (European Union), provide Kotis your EORI #.
• Hazmat items cannot ship internationally.
• When shipping to India, the consignee is required to fill out Know Your Customer (KYC) forms to be released to customs. We suggest they they complete the KYC form as soon as they receive tracking to avoid delays in customs.

Commonly Used Terms:

DDP - Delivery Duty Paid – The receiver is not responsible to pay duty/tax when receiving the package. The supplier or shipper is responsible for all costs associated with the delivery of goods

EORI # - Economic Operator’s Registration and Identification – European Union Identification number used in all customs procedures performed by economic operators

VAT - Value Added Tax – Known in some countries as the goods and services tax

Understanding Customs, Duty/Tax

There are almost always duty or taxes issued on every international shipment. Customs is the official department that administers and collects the duties/taxes charged by a government on imported goods.

The duty/ tax is determined by:

• Product type
• Value of the product
• Destination Country
• Shipping cost

Who pays the duty/ tax?

Economy – When shipping FedEx International Connect, the receiver is responsible for any and all duties and VAT imposed by the destination country. DDP is not available.

Shipping DDP – DDP or Delivery Duties Paid is when the receiver does not pay any duties/tax when receiving the item. This will be billed to your account during quarterly billing.

Common Reasons for Customs Clearance Delays when shipping international are:

• Missing information(Address, phone #, tax ID, Document, ie.KYC)
• Receiver does not have import rights at destination
• Hotels, Convention Centers, and other public delivery locations may not be able to accept international shipments on behalf of someone

For more detailed information on International Shipping Procedures, please read the article here and here

Please also read the guideline for shipping Hazmat items here