Shipping, Tax and Compliance
Find out which tax and compliance processes Swap can automate to save you stress, and the data we need from you to make it happen.
By Rez and 2 others3 authors26 articles
Shipping & Delivery Methods
Learn how international shipping works, including DDP vs DAP, landed cost calculations, and delivery expectations across markets.
- Understanding Billable WeightHow carriers calculate billable (chargeable) weight for international shipments, and how volumetric weight and rounding rules affect the final cost.
- Understanding landed costThis article explains what landed cost is, what it includes, and how Swap calculates and guarantees it for every international order.
- Understanding duty calculation methodsHow customs authorities calculate import duties, and which method applies in different countries.
- Understanding de minimis thresholdsWhat de minimis thresholds are, how they vary by country, and what the global trend toward removing them means for cross-border merchants.
Cross-Border Compliance & Strategy
Explore broader trade strategy topics, including regulatory changes, Incoterms, returns, and how to scale globally with the right tools.
- Understanding cross-border complianceWhat cross-border compliance means for e-commerce sellers, the consequences of non-compliance, essential documentation for customs clearance, and best practices for smooth international shipping.
- Understanding IncotermsWhat Incoterms are, which ones matter for B2C e-commerce sellers, and how DDP and CIF affect the customer experience and duty obligations.
Customs Documentation & Paperwork
Find out which documents are required for customs clearance, how to complete them correctly, and what to avoid.
- Understanding customs clearanceWhat happens during customs clearance, the steps involved, how DDP and DAP affect the process, and how to avoid common delays.
- Understanding commercial invoicesWhat a commercial invoice is, the information it must include, and best practices for keeping it accurate for customs clearance.
- Modifying the commercial invoiceHow to correct commercial invoice overages and shortages, handle a wrong shipping address, and keep duty and tax calculations accurate.
- Handling commercial invoice discountsHow to correctly reflect discounts, BOGO offers, free items, samples, free shipping, and gifts on a commercial invoice without triggering customs issues.
- Understanding Air Waybills and Bills of LadingWhat an Air Waybill (AWB) and a Bill of Lading (BOL) are, how they differ, and which one applies depending on whether you're shipping by air, sea, or land.
- How to Generate a Manufacturer Identification (MID) Code for U.S. ImportsWhat a MID Code is, when you need one, and how to generate one manually for U.S. imports if you don't have Compliance Hub to do it for you.
- Understanding Certificates of Origin and Countries of OriginWhat a Certificate of Origin and Country of Origin are, why they matter for both Swap Global and Returns, and where to manage them depending on which Swap product you…
- Understanding drop ball certifications for eyewear shipmentsThis article explains what drop ball certifications are, why they're required for eyewear shipments entering the United States, and what to do if you don't have one.
- The Swap guide to EEI and ITN filingThis guide explains what EEI and ITN filing requirements mean for your US outbound shipments, and what to expect as Swap builds a solution to handle this automatically.
Taxation & Duties
Get guidance on how duties and taxes are applied, calculated, and vary across countries in the cross-border trade process.
- Understanding taxation methodsThis article explains the main forms of indirect tax used in international e-commerce — VAT, GST, and sales tax — and how each affects cross-border transactions.
- How to create a DAP/DDU shipping zone in SwapHow to set up a dedicated DAP (Delivered At Place) shipping zone in Swap for countries that don't accept DDP, including the full list of countries where DAP is required.
- Troubleshooting tax discrepanciesIf a shipment sent as DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) still results in taxes or duties being charged to the recipient, there are several common causes to investigate. This article walks…
- Country-specific import tax ratesA country-by-country reference for import tax rates and de minimis thresholds, plus a guide to how VAT, GST, and other import tax names vary around the world.
- Understanding CBP Form 5106Why CBP Form 5106 is required for U.S. imports, when it’s needed, and how it affects customs clearance and shipment delays.
- Tax ID and National ID requirements for returnsWhy a Tax or National ID is required for international returns and how missing it can block label creation or delay customs.
- How to handle Letter of Acceptance (LOA) requirements for shipment returnsHow to obtain and complete a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) with DHL or FedEx for shipment returns, and how to spot phishing emails posing as LOA requests.
Product Classification & Harmonised Codes
Understand how to classify your products correctly using HS codes, GRIs, and other international standards to stay customs-compliant.
- Understanding HS CodesWhat an HS Code is, why it matters for both Swap Global shipments and Returns, and where to manage it depending on which Swap product you use.
- How to write product descriptions for customs complianceHow to write product descriptions that allow customs authorities to classify your goods correctly, reducing the risk of delays and incorrect duty assessments.
- Understanding the General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs)The six sequential rules used to classify goods under the Harmonized System (HS), and what they mean for e-commerce merchants.
- How to classify bundles, kits, and setsHow to determine the correct HS code for bundles, kits, and sets — known as composite goods in HS classification.