What Do International Customers Need to Know About Global-E, Customs Duties, and Tracking?

Ordering from outside the United States? Here’s important information regarding international shipping, our partner Global-E (when applicable), customs procedures, and how tracking works for your Skybound order.

Global-E Orders: For many international destinations, Skybound partners with Global-E to facilitate a smoother international shopping experience. If Global-E is involved in your order (often indicated during checkout or on your order confirmation):

• You may see prices in your local currency.
• You often have the option to pre-pay customs duties and taxes during checkout. We highly recommend this to avoid unexpected charges or delays upon arrival.

Customs, Duties, and Taxes:

• Pre-Paid Duties: If you chose to pre-pay duties and taxes at checkout (e.g., through Global-E), these costs are typically covered, and you should not face additional customs charges from your local authorities for those specific fees.
• Paying Duties on Arrival: If duties and taxes were NOT pre-paid, you (the customer) are responsible for any import duties, VAT, taxes, or brokerage fees levied by your country's customs office or the shipping carrier. These charges are separate from your Skybound shipping fees and must usually be paid before your package is released for final delivery. Skybound does not cover these costs. (This aligns with information in Solution ID 30000030841: "Do you ship internationally?")
• It's important to be aware of your country's import regulations to avoid surprises.

Why International Delivery Takes Longer:While typical international shipping estimates are 3-5 weeks (see our "Why Isn't My Order's Tracking Updating and How Long Will Shipping Take?" article for specific timeframes), several factors can influence this:

• Customs Processing: This is the most common reason for extended delivery times. The time it takes for a package to clear customs can vary significantly from country to country and is outside of Skybound's or the carrier's control.
• Local Postal Service Efficiency: Once a package clears customs, it's handed over to your country's local postal service for final delivery, and their timelines can vary.
• Remote Delivery Locations: Areas further from major postal hubs may experience longer delivery times.

Tracking Your International Order:

• You will receive an initial tracking number when your order ships (often via carriers like Landmark Global, EPG, or Chronopost, especially for Global-E orders).
• Once your package arrives in your destination country and clears customs, the tracking responsibility often transfers to your local postal service. You can frequently use the same initial international tracking number on your local post's website to get more detailed local updates. Sometimes, a new local tracking number might be assigned by customs or the local post.

Who to Contact for International Shipping Issues:

• If your order was processed via Global-E: Check your Global-E order confirmation or their tracking portal for specific support options related to duties or the international leg of the shipment.
• For customs delays: Unfortunately, once a package is with customs, we have limited ability to expedite it. Contacting your local customs office directly with your tracking number may provide more information.
• If your order is significantly delayed beyond the 6-week mark (after the first tracking scan) and you cannot get updates from the carrier or customs: Please contact Skybound support with your order number, and we will assist as best as we can.

We appreciate your understanding of the international shipping process!