5 tips for getting customs declaration information right when sending parcels overseas with MyPost Business

MyPost Business helps take your business to the world. Customs regulations are strict, so we’ve put together five tips to help you successfully send parcels overseas.

Key points

  • Getting customs details right is essential to ensure parcels arrive overseas successfully.
  • MyPost Business has features that make providing correct customs information easy.
  • The HS tariff code and prohibited/restricted status are now automatically generated based on the item description.

Keep these tips in mind when providing details for your parcels and improve delivery success.

1. Complete the HS tariff code 

An Harmonised System tariff code (HS tariff code) is a code assigned to items which helps customs authorities easily identify which taxes or duties to charge. When creating the label in MyPost Business, you can easily search for the item you’re shipping, and the HS tariff code will be populated automatically. Learn more about HS Tariff codes here.

2. Be aware of restricted and prohibited items

Check the goods you’re sending aren’t restricted or prohibited in the destination country. When sending parcels overseas using MyPost Business, restricted or prohibited articles are flagged automatically when you complete the Item description for HS tariff code field. You can learn more about prohibited and restricted items here. 

3. Correct addresses 

Sometimes the simplest things hold up a parcel. Double-check the addresses for your business and customer are complete and correct. 

4. Complete details

Having complete details including a phone number and/or email address for both your business and your customer gives customs an easy way to reach out to query any issues. It could be the difference between your parcel arriving on time - or making a round trip.   

MyPost Business’ new features simplify sending parcels overseas

MyPost Business has two powerful features that make sending parcels overseas a whole lot easier.

These features automate the HS tariff code and restrictions/prohibitions processes without sending you to an external website.

Previously, you had to look up the appropriate HS tariff code for the item when creating an international label. Then you had to research whether that item was restricted or prohibited by customs regulations in the delivery country.

Those two manual steps are now automated and embedded into the MyPost Business label creation process.

Save time when sending parcels overseas

Peter Cristiano, a MyPost Business Senior Manager, says the new features are a huge time-saver for merchants.

“They no longer have to go offline to look up information. It’s now an intuitive process. They type in the item description and the HS tariff code will populate automatically.”

At this stage, you will be alerted if the item is a dangerous or prohibited good in the country of destination.

Peter says, “We’re more proactive with prohibited goods because sometimes the merchant only realises it’s prohibited when they’re notified by customs in that country. So we’re helping them be on the front foot with that.”

Unlock more savings with international parcel sending

The more you send, the more you save – on both domestic and international deliveries. Moving up the five savings bands could earn businesses up to 35% off international parcel sending.

Peter says, “Sending 10 parcels overseas will obviously cost more than sending 10 parcels domestically. But where businesses reap the reward is when their revenue unlocks a higher tier that lets them access more savings.”

Want to save on parcel sending?

With MyPost Business, your savings grow as you move up the five savings bands.

Sign up for free today

Recommended reading

1 Cyber Weekend: An ‘Extraordinary Year for Online Retail’, Power Retail, December 7 2020; Australia Post data
2 Inside Australian Online Shopping update, September 2020, Australia Post
3 Consumer Parcel Receivers Survey – March 2018 update, Australia Post
4 Australia Post Monthly consumer parcel receiver survey (n=2,000 per month), 2020. Base: Received an online shopping related parcel in the last month

This advice is general in nature, and doesn't consider your personal situation. You should consider your own needs and the terms and conditions before making a decision to buy the product.

 

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