Q: Does consolidation mean that you combine all my items into one package?

Not exactly. Consolidation means we ship all your packages together in one shipment —but each item stays in its original box unless repacking is requested or possible. 📦 Multiple packages shipped together = one shipment = savings. Want them combined into one box? That’s where our OneBox or Repack service comes in.

Question 1

Does consolidation mean that you combine all my items into one package?

Accepted Answer

Not exactly. Consolidation means we ship all your packages together in one shipment—but each item stays in its original box unless repacking is requested or possible.

📦 Multiple packages shipped together = one shipment = savings.

Want them combined into one box? That’s where our OneBox or Repack service comes in.

Question 2

When do I use the BuyForMe Service?

Accepted Answer

Some merchants only accept payments by credit cards with a U.S. billing address

(eg, apple.com, drugstore.com, sephora.com, 6pm.com, bathandbodyworks.com)

For these online stores, this is how BuyForMe works:

Submit your request
Tell us what you want using the BuyForMe form in your dashboard.
We place the order
We’ll buy it on your behalf and have it shipped to your U.S. address.
You manage delivery
Once it arrives, consolidate, repack, and ship it to your doorstep—your way.

Please note that there is a service fee for BuyForMe.

This fee is of 10% of (total cost of items purchased + domestic shipping, if any).

Prime customers enjoys a reduced service fee of 7%

Question 3

Are there any taxes and duties?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All international shipments are subject to import duties and taxes based on your destination country’s rules.

These charges vary by:

Item value

Product type

Country of delivery

📦 comGateway does not control or collect these fees. You’ll be notified by the courier if payment is required.

Country-Specific Guidelines

Here are some general import rules for common destinations. For exact details, please check with your local customs authority.

As of 1 January 2024, GST in Singapore is 9% and applies to all imports, including:

Low-value goods (S$400 or below)

Items shipped via air or post

For more info, visit the IRAS website

A GST Calculation Example:

Cost of Goods: S$390

Freight: S$30

Insurance: S$4.20

GST (9%) = S$38.20 on the full sum

GST Handling Fee:

A 5% administrative fee is charged on the GST amount.

What is the GST handling fee?

It is the processing/administrative fee (5%) levied on the GST amount payable.

Shipments to Australia are delivered duty paid (DDP)—this means all GST and duties are included in your shipping cost at checkout.

No additional payment is needed when your package is delivered.

Key notes:

A 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to most imported goods, regardless of value. Customs Duty (typically 0-10%, depending on the goods) & import processing fee applies if the value exceeds AUD 1,000.
GST/Duties Handling Fee : A 5% administrative fee is charged on the total GST/Duties amount
This tax is automatically calculated and collected by comGateway at the time of payment
There are no customs clearance delays due to unpaid taxes

✅ Everything is prepaid, and your items arrive ready to open—no surprise fees, no fuss.

Since the UK’s exit from the EU, all imports—including personal goods—are subject to VAT and potentially customs duties, depending on the value and item type.

General guidelines:

VAT (20%) is applied to most imported goods

Items valued under £135: VAT is applied at checkout if the seller is registered, or charged on delivery

VAT Handling Fee:

A 5% administrative fee is charged on the VATamount.

Items over £135: May be subject to both VAT and customs duty, payable to the courier upon delivery

📦 You’ll receive a notification from the courier (DHL or FedEx) if any payment is required before delivery.

Important: Aways check the latest updates via UK HMRC .

Shipping to the Rest of the World

All imported goods are subject to a country's customs and duties. As limits and regulations vary in different countries, we encourage you to check on the website of your country's governing authority.

Shipments to the rest of the world, are delivered with duty unpaid (DDU). This means duties and customs will not be included on your final checkout during shipment.

Duties and custom payments will be made to the courier delivering your package.

Question 4

How do I use my U.S. address?

Accepted Answer

When making a purchase at a U.S. merchant website and prompted to fill in your Shipping Address, please ensure you enter your U.S. address correctly.

Your U.S. address is displayed in the top right corner of the website when you sign into your account.

Please be sure to include your Suite ID in your U.S. address. Your Suite ID is unique to your account and enables us to identify that your packages belong to your account when they arrive at our warehouse. Your Suite ID is included in your US address displayed under tab 1, prefixed by ‘c/o’.

Under the name field when filling in your shipping address, please also be sure to fill in the same name that you use for your comGateway account. We use both your Suite ID and your name to match your packages to your account.

Due to our large volume of packages and to enhance sorting and delivery performance, the United States Postal Service has provided us with our own ZIP code (97253). However, some online stores may not recognize this yet, so we encourage you to use the old ZIP code (97220); you may use 97253 but only if a store prevents you from using the other. Both zip codes are valid.

Additionally, some online stores require a ZIP+4 code. The first five digits indicate the destination post office or delivery area. Whereas, the last 4 digits represents a specific delivery route within that overall delivery area. If asked by the online store, please use the ZIP+4 code below:

97253-1777 (primary)

97220-1696

Question 5

Can you buy the item for me when the online store does not accept my international credit card?

Accepted Answer

Yes we can! Simply follow these steps to place your BuyForMe order with us.

Login to your account and click on Buy For Me on your dashboard or BFM Orders in your sidebar. Then click on BuyForMe Cart.
A BuyForMe form will appear. Fill in your order details. You may fill in as many items as you wish from the same merchant
We will place your order(s), checkout and pay the merchant. Your shopping will be sent to your U.S. Address
We will send you an email once we have placed your order(s)
If you wish to shop from another online store, please fill out a new BuyForMe form. Please note that we require one form (regardless of the items required) for separate merchants.
Your packages have arrived at your U.S. Address. What's next!Receive an email from us 1-2 days after your packages arrive with details includingYou can also view your packages at your Dashboard Only when your packages arrive, will we be able to inform you of the international shipping weight and other applicable fees.
- your package(s) individual weight
- date of receipt
- scanned invoice(s)
When all your packages arrive at your U.S. Address, manage how you want them shipped home in My Packages.

We have optional add-on services for savings on shipping. Learn about it at Ship Smarter: Add-On Services

Shipping to Ghana

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