Why was I charged taxes or duties on my order?Updated 10 days ago

United States: Sales tax is calculated and displayed at checkout, so you'll always see the full amount before you pay. Like most retailers, ALPAKA collects sales tax in states where we meet local requirements.

Australia, United Kingdom & European Union: VAT (GST in Australia's case) is already included in your order total. No surprise charges at the door.

All other countries: Local taxes, duties, or VAT may be applied by your country's customs authority. These charges are set by your government and are outside ALPAKA's control — we're unable to predict, waive, or reimburse them.

A few things worth knowing:

• Customs hold times vary by country. We're unable to contact customs offices on your behalf, so if your package is held, you'll need to follow up directly with your local customs authority.

• If a package goes unclaimed, it will be returned. In this case, original shipping charges are non-refundable.

We ship to 90+ countries and do everything we can to make the experience as seamless as possible, but customs processes are ultimately in the hands of your local authorities.