When customs fees apply
Depending on your location and the price of the final bid, we, as a facilitating marketplace, may need to collect import tax. If so, import tax will be charged on top of the final bid and shipping costs (and Buyer Protection fee for Norwegian buyers) for applicable orders. We then transfer the import tax to your local tax authorities, so you won’t have to pay that import tax VAT when your order arrives. Whether you need to pay customs fees depends on where the seller ships from and where you’re located. Other import costs, such as handling fees or customs duties, may still be due upon import.

• If you’re in the EU. You’ll only need to pay customs fees if the seller ships from:
  • outside the EU, or
  • an EU territory with special tax rules, such as the Channel Islands, Canary Islands, or Vatican City.
• If you’re outside the EU or in an EU territory not part of the EU VAT or customs area
  Customs fees may apply if the seller ships from another country. Check with your local tax or customs authorities for details about your country’s import requirements.
  
  
• If you’re buying within the same country
  No customs fees apply.
  
  

You can find more details about EU-specific customs procedures on the official EU customs website. You can always check where an object ships from on its object page before placing your bid.

When are customs fees charged?
Customs fees are usually charged when your order arrives in your country. As the buyer, you’re responsible for paying all customs fees and import charges unless explicitly stated otherwise. Your order will only be delivered once these fees have been paid.

What customs fees will be charged?

Import costs are determined by local customs authorities and carriers. Catawiki has no influence over customs procedures or local import taxes. These are set by your country’s authorities. We can’t tell you the exact customs fees you’ll be charged before the parcel arrives because customs duties and taxes are determined by destination country authorities at import. Fees depend on several factors that are usually confirmed only at arrival, for example:

• how the item is classified under the international tariff (HS code)
• the declared customs value, which commonly includes the item price plus shipping and insurance
• the country of origin of the goods, and the destination country’s tariff and VAT rules
• whether special excise duties apply for the object type, eg. alcohol or tobacco
• whether the carrier or customs agent charges additional brokerage or handling fees

How to check or estimate the fees before you bid or buy

• Check the object page to see where the item will be shipped from before you place a bid, so you can estimate cross-border costs and rules in advance
• Use your country’s customs website or duty calculators to estimate import VAT and duty using the object value plus shipping and insurance. SimpleDuty https://www.simplyduty.com/ offers a calculator covering over 100 countries. It can be useful as an indication, but we can’t guarantee the accuracy.
• Ask the seller for customs information or the HS/tariff code if you need a more precise duty estimate.
• Ask the carrier. Carriers often provide duty calculators or a brokerage estimate and will tell you whether they charge an extra handling fee.

Custom fees may delay delivery, but most deliveries continue with no issues

If your order is delayed beyond the estimated delivery date, Catawiki will contact you to help resolve it.

Catawiki aims to make customs and tax information easy to understand. Because rules differ by country, buyers are responsible for complying with their local regulations. Catawiki is a marketplace platform and is not involved in customs clearance, tax representation, or providing fiscal advice. For personalised guidance, please consult your local customs or tax authority.