Payment Methods
Part of Cross-border checkout
Explaining duties before an overseas buyer pays
Tell overseas buyers who handles import clearance, what checkout collects and which estimated or later charges remain possible.
Before payment, tell an overseas buyer which import charges checkout collects, who is responsible for import clearance and what might be collected later. Base that explanation on the sale and shipping route the store can actually fulfil. A duty estimate on a screen does not, by itself, make an order duty paid.
Establish responsibility for the route
Incoterms rules such as DAP and DDP allocate responsibilities between seller and buyer, including which costs each side must assume and who is responsible for completing export and import formalities. Neither label arranges clearance on its own. Check the destination rules, carrier service and who can meet importer requirements before offering a DDP route.
Check taxes collected at sale separately from charges due on import. Do not infer that every tax is excluded from checkout because a route is DAP, or that every possible carrier charge is covered because a route is called DDP.
The buyer-facing message should say what the merchant will collect and what the chosen shipping arrangement covers.
DAP vs DDP: Responsibility for Import Charges and Clearance
- Import Duties & Taxes
- Buyer responsible (DAP), Seller responsible (DDP)
- Import Clearance
- Buyer arranges (DAP), Seller arranges (DDP)
- Carrier Fees
- Buyer may pay later (DAP), Covered by seller (DDP)
- Customs Form Completion
- Buyer provides details (DAP), Seller completes (DDP)
Separate known amounts from estimates
At order review, show the item and delivery amounts and identify any import duties or taxes calculated at checkout. State who collects each amount. If the store cannot calculate a charge reliably, do not invent a firm figure. Explain who may request payment later, and give the buyer that information before the final payment action.
Shopify's guidance includes a section on duties and import tax estimates. Inspect the calculator, carrier contract and route the store actually uses. Incorrect goods classification or declaration details can also change what customs assesses.
A DAP message might say that import duties, taxes or carrier fees may be requested before delivery, then identify anything already collected at checkout. For a supported DDP route, identify the import charges the seller covers and any known exclusions. Use wording that matches the actual destination and service.
Key Facts for Overseas Buyers Before Payment
- Duty Estimate Accuracy
- Not guaranteed – may vary at customs
- Australia Post Customs Forms
- Must be completed online before sending
- DDP Service Availability
- Varies by carrier and destination country
Make the declaration agree with the sale
Customs information needs accurate goods descriptions, values and tariff classifications. For Australia Post services, complete the customs form online for available services and show the confirmation QR code when lodging the parcel. Check that quantities, discounts, origin information where required and the selected service reach the declaration used for the order.
Before enabling a destination, compare the checkout wording, calculated charges, carrier service, declaration and buyer confirmation for the same basket. Repeat the review when products, destination rules or carrier arrangements change.
If the store cannot establish those answers for a route, hold that route until it can.
