Online shopping abroad: what to look out for?

By siliconindia  |  Thursday, 20 January 2022, 08:07:35 PM IST

Online shopping abroad: what to look out for?

Nowadays, people like to order products abroad. But what do you have to watch out for when purchasing goods from foreign online stores?

Purchases outside the EU

If the desired product is ordered in a country that is not part of the European Union, it depends on the individual case which law is applied regarding shipping. This depends on several factors that the buyer cannot influence. Information about the conditions can be obtained directly from the dealer. If necessary, legal advice can also help.

Fees for customs and taxes

For parcels purchased from abroad, it is important to bear in mind that parcels from abroad may involve high shipping costs or taxes. If the value of the goods including shipping is less than 150 euros, the import sales tax, which is usually 7 or 19 percent, is due. However, there is then no charge for customs duties.

Depending on the type of product and the value of the goods, fees for taxes or for customs duties are payable. Information can be obtained from customs before ordering.

Whereabouts of the package

If the location of the package is to be determined, the use of a global tracking package websites is recommended. The my-package-tracking.com is such a global tracking package website, which allows to check the status of the expected package. The condition of the website is straightforward. By providing the shipment number, the global tracking package website checks the retrievable location of the package within a few seconds and displays it to the user. In this way, the user can track where his package is. In the event of difficulties or delays in delivery, the location can also be used to draw conclusions about possible complications. For example, if the package has been at customs for a long time, it may be that the package has been randomly selected for closer inspection. If this is the case, the package may be at customs for up to three weeks before it can be transported further. Furthermore, there is the possibility that parcels only receive a new shipment status in Germany. Thus, for those who have ordered goods abroad, it may look for a while as if the package will not be sent on.

The bottom line

For orders shipped from abroad, additional fees for customs or applicable taxes are to be expected. Furthermore, the cost of shipping may turn out to be quite high. In addition, complications may arise if German law does not apply in individual cases. However, this depends on each case individually and must be considered individually. If any ambiguities arise during the ordering process, the retailer can be contacted or questions can be asked of customs to avoid nasty surprises from the outset. Once the package has been shipped, the status of the package can be checked via a global tracking package website. Checking using the shipment number is straightforward and takes just a few 

seconds. In most cases, however, patience is all that is required until the package reaches its destination. It may be subjected to a more detailed inspection at customs, so that the onward transport is delayed.

 

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