mark your parcel as GIFT. We can also mark it as Merchandise.
declare and insure at the FULL value of the products. We can declare lower, but, a parcel can only be insured not more than its declared value. The risk is yours.
eg. If a parcel is declared as 40euros, then, it is only insured for 40euros. If the parcel is lost or damaged, the delivery company will only pay 40euros.
attach an invoice outside the parcel (usually required by most country's postal rules). We can don't attach any invoice, but the risk is yours.

When you buy something from overseas, you are importing it. Your country's Customs Department may charge you, the importer, with tax (Import duty, VAT, GST, etc ..) according to your country's customs law.

There is NO way any overseas seller can GUARANTEE you will not be taxed. Any seller that claim they can is just saying anything to get your sale, or is taking some risk without telling you such as not insuring the parcel.

Every country has a postal import duty free limit PIDFL. This is an amount set by your Customs Department, and is different for each country. A parcel declared more than this PIDFL value is likely to be taxed. A parcel declared less than this PIDFL value is likely not taxed.

Declaring it as gift usually doesn't help (otherwise, there wouldnt be this page). Gift or no gift, if the value is more than the PIDFL, it can be taxed.

For a parcel to be taxed, the customs officer has to read what is the declared value. Different country has different level of alertness. German and New Zealand officers are usually very alert, and will usually get every taxable parcel. Others can be more lax, so there is a higher chance of escaping their notice.

Postal Import Duty Free Limit		Tax Rate
Australia	AUD1000
Canada	CAD30
Europe (EU)	20euros
Malaysia	MYR200
New Zealand	NZ$30
Singapore	SG$400	7% + $10
Thailand	THB1000
UK	GBP20
US	US$2000
We do try to update these figures. Do not hold us responsible for them. You can help by checking with your Customs Department.

What can Bluetin do?

We can declare less to help your parcel pass thru customs more smoothly. But, a parcel can only be insured not more than its declared value. The risk is yours.

Eg. If a parcel is declared as 40euros, then, it is only insured for 40euros. If the parcel is lost or damaged, the delivery company will only pay 40euros.

Since we started business, there has not been a lost EMS/DHL/Fedex parcel. We feel it is reasonable risk to declare/insure at a lesser amount, or even no insurance. Again, the risk is yours.

For Air Mail, we had 3 lost parcels to Australia until 2007 when it was discovered that postal staff there were stealing. Ever since, there has been no problems.

We recommend declaring at a lower but believable value, eg. 40euros for headphones. Declaring very low, eg. 10euros for a luxuriously looking headphones may be asking for trouble. If the officer noticed it, and doesnt believe the declared value, he has the right to open it, re-value, and tax base on the new value.

Having said that, we can declare (and insure) at any amount you want since the risk is yours.

We still recommend declaring it as gift (or whatever you want).