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Customs information you may need to provide

Most of the time, customs clearance on a cross-border order is handled for you. But occasionally customs needs specific details about the piece itself — and you're the only one who has them. Providing them quickly is what gets the parcel moving.

Written by The Oblist

What customs may ask for

  • HS (customs) code — the tariff classification of the piece.

  • A precise description — what it is, and what it's made of (materials).

  • Country of origin — where the piece was actually made.

  • Declared value — usually already on the commercial invoice, but sometimes re-confirmed.

  • Extra documents for certain goods — e.g. licences or certificates for protected/regulated materials (exotic woods, shell, hides, antiques…).

The best fix is prevention

Holds caused by missing or wrong data are the most common — and the most avoidable. Keep each product's customs details accurate in your catalogue:

  • a clear description and material composition,

  • the HS code (we can help generate one when it's missing),

  • the country of origin.

Accurate data up front means far fewer holds, faster delivery, and happier collectors.

If we ask you for something

When customs needs your input, our Customer Care team contacts you with exactly what's required. Reply as quickly as you can — the parcel stays on hold until the information reaches the carrier, so every hour counts.

Good to know

  • You'll only be asked when customs genuinely needs it — we handle everything we can on our side first.

  • Once you provide what's needed, we pass it to the carrier and clearance resumes.

Where to find it

Keep customs details on each piece in your catalogue. If a live order is held and we need your input, you'll hear from Customer Care, and the case shows in After-sales.

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