Question 1

How do I estimate international shipping weight for delivery time and cost?

Accepted Answer

We can only calculate your final shipping cost once your packages arrive at your U.S. address and have been weighed.

But to get a rough estimate:

Refer to our Rates Table below

Use the Shipping Calculator on our home page

Check your item’s dimensions or ask the merchant if it’s a bulky product

📦 Don’t forget to factor in fuel surcharge, insurance, and other applicable fees.

For large or unusual items, we recommend contacting the merchant directly to get estimated package dimensions.

See FAQ - What is fuel surcharge? , FAQ - What are insurance fees?, FAQ - Are there other fees?

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How can I lower my shipping weight?

Repackaging: Removes unnecessary boxes and reduces bulk
Consolidation: Combines multiple packages into one shipment
OneBox: Optimizes your packaging for the lowest possible volumetric weight

💡 Learn more about it here: Ship Smarter: Add-On Services

Question 2

Are there items I can’t purchase that are prohibited for international shipping?

Accepted Answer

Dangerous / Combustive Materials

Flammable Liquids- • perfumes • colognes • eau de toilette • fragrance sprays • nail polish & nail polish removers • toners • sanitizers • after shaves • essential oils & diffuser oils • alcoholic beverages • compressed gas cylinders • sprays • aerosol cans • hairsprays • shaving creams • hair mousse • treatments containing alcohol (Rogaine) • fuels • battery fluids • gasoline • lighters with lighter fuel • petroleum • gas torches	Oxidizing Substances & Organic Peroxides • bleach • paint thinners & removers • adhesive products (glue, silicone) • turpentine • fertilizers • weed killers • insecticides	Flammable Solids Lithium batteries unless they comply with the following packaging requirements; • contained in properly packaged equipment • batteries securely cushioned & packed to prevent short circuiting
ExportControlled Items (any product which can be used in military, chemical or biological weapons, missile technology, or nuclear proliferation) • handcuffs • leg cuffs • ankle cuffs • police-type batons • spraying & fogging systems	Firearms &Weapons / Firearms(or parts thereof) and associated equipment & offensive weapons • sharp items such as hunting knives and swords • imitation arms including toy guns, toy pistols, hand grenades • firecrackers and fireworks • cigarette lighters resembling weapons	Drugs • controlled chemicals including substances used for the manufacture of dangerous drugs or psychotropic substances • narcotic drugs • prescription drugs • unlicensed drugs
Valuables • antiques • art works • precious metals & stones • jewelry / luxury Watch • diamonds • gold & silver • currency • bullion	Others • pornographic materials • counterfeit/replica goods • magnetic material • radioactive material & waste • items requiring temperature-control/ perishable goods

You will be held responsible and liable for paying any related cost occurred should you choose to ship these items.

All shipments must comply with the import laws of the country of your shipment destination.

When in doubt, please contact our Customer Service team.

Question 3

What if I want to ship fragile items like LED/Plasma television sets?

Accepted Answer

Yes—but fragile items like LED/Plasma TVs must be crated to qualify for shipping insurance.

📦 Crating fee: approx. $300 USD and above (Crating fees are quoted individually based on your item’s size and fragility)

🚚 Your shipping cost will be based on the total crated weight

🧱 Crating helps protect your fragile item during transit and ensures it qualifies for insurance.

If your item arrives at our U.S. warehouse and is flagged as needing extra protection, you’ll have two options:

Ship it as-is
We’ll send it without crating
Insurance will only cover loss, not damage

Approve crating
Your item will be professionally crated for safety
Insurance will then cover damage as well

The following items are usually fragile and subject to crating

Big/flat screen TVs

Chandeliers

Large porcelain/glass figurines

Mirrors

How much does crating cost?

Crating fees are quoted individually based on your item’s size and fragility

Crating adds weight and volume, which may increase your shipping cost

Only select couriers accept crated packages

📦 If crating is required, we’ll contact you with full details before proceeding.

⚠️ Crating increases your package’s dimensions and weight.

Your shipping rate will be based on the greater of the two actual weight or volumetric weight.

Question 4

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 5

Why have I received more than one package at my U.S. address for a single merchant order?

Accepted Answer

If you buy more than one item within a single order, U.S. merchants sometimes send the items in more than one package.

This usually happens because:

Items are shipped from different warehouses

Some items were out of stock and shipped later once available

Each package will still be routed to your U.S. address and reflected individually in your comGateway account.

Shipping to Samoa

Estimate Shipping Cost to Samoa

$98.04

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