INFORMATION ABOUT CUSTOM FEES
Please note that orders shipped to countries outside the European Union may be subject to customs duties and import taxes. These costs are determined by the customs authority of the respective recipient country and are not included in our product prices or shipping fees.
The recipient (you, the customer) is responsible for the payment of these charges.
HOW ARE THE CHARGES CALCULATED?
The total costs consist of two parts:
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Government Charges (Duties & Taxes): The actual import duties and the country-specific value-added tax (Import VAT).
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DHL Service Fee: A handling or advancement fee charged by DHL for processing and pre-financing the customs clearance.
ESTIMATE COSTS IN ADVANCE (Reference Price)
To get an approximate idea of the potential costs, you can use an external calculator.
Important: The values calculated here are only estimates and serve as a reference price. The final amount of the duties will always be determined by the responsible customs authority in the destination country.
https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/
WHY ARE THESE FEES SO HIGH?
Due to recent political and trade policy changes in certain countries, import duties on European goods have increased significantly. This affects all independent designers and brands shipping from the EU to destinations outside the European Union.
DOES ESTHER PERBANDT BENEFIT FROM THESE FEES?
No. These charges are set entirely by the respective customs authorities and DHL. We do not receive any portion of these fees.
WHY IS THE SHIPPING FEE NOT COVERING THESE COSTS?
Shipping fees only cover the transportation cost. In fact, our DHL Express prices are higher than the amount we charge customers — we personally absorb part of the shipping cost to keep it as manageable as possible for our clients outside the EU.
CAN CUSTOM FEES BE REFUNDED?
Unfortunately, customs duties are non-refundable, even if you return your order. This is a regulation of the respective customs authorities.
WHY SHOULD I STILL ORDER FROM A EUROPEAN INDEPENDENT DESIGNER?
Because you’re supporting a small, independent Berlin atelier — every piece is produced ethically, in small quantities, with artistic ambition and craftsmanship.
We deeply value our international community and do everything we can to keep your experience positive.
