If you've shopped with Renew Bohemian from outside Australia, there's a good chance you've wondered about or encountered customs fees, import duties or taxes.
Right now, questions about these charges are among the most common we receive, and honestly, we understand why.
International shipping can be confusing at the best of times, and customs rules, tariffs and import taxes are constantly changing in different parts of the world.
So we thought it was time to explain what these charges actually are, who charges them, where you can find information about them when shopping with Renew, and what happens if a parcel is returned because the fees haven't been paid.
Most importantly, there's one thing we'd really like to make clear:
Renew Bohemian does not charge or set your country's customs fees, import duties or tariffs.
We wish they didn't exist too.
First things first: who is actually charging these fees?
When you order something from another country, your parcel is being imported into the country where you live.
That means it may be subject to the customs, tax and import rules of your destination country.
Depending on where you live, you may be charged things such as:
Import tax
A tax applied by your country when goods enter from overseas. This may take the form of VAT, GST, sales tax or another local consumption tax.
Customs duty
A charge that can apply to imported goods depending on things such as the type and value of the goods, their country of origin and the customs rules in your destination country.
Tariffs
A type of customs duty imposed on imported goods. Tariffs can be used as part of a country's wider trade policy and can change as governments introduce new measures.
Carrier or customs processing fees
Sometimes the delivery company handling your parcel may charge an additional fee for processing customs clearance or collecting the amount owed.
Not every parcel will attract every type of charge.
Whether you are charged, and how much, depends on the rules of the country you're importing into and the circumstances of your particular shipment.
And that's the important bit:
These charges are determined by the destination country, not by Renew Bohemian.
Brooke in India
Why can't Renew just tell you exactly what you'll have to pay?
We wish we could.
The difficulty is that customs rules aren't universal. Every country has its own system, and those systems can (and do) change.
Some countries have value thresholds or allowances where certain import charges may not apply. Others may collect taxes at checkout or at the border. Some charges depend on the type of product, its declared value or where the materials originated.
Even within the same country, different types of charges can apply in different circumstances.
That's why we don't want to put a list of specific thresholds or percentages here and pretend they'll always be correct.
Instead, we encourage you to check the current import rules for your own country before placing an international order.
Search for information from your country's official customs or tax authority and look for guidance around online purchases, personal imports, import duty, VAT or GST and customs thresholds.
We know that's an extra step, but we'd much rather help you understand the rules before you order than have you receive an unexpected customs bill afterwards.
Where will I see this when shopping with Renew?
We know customs information isn't always the most exciting part of buying something beautiful, but we believe transparency matters.
We include information about potential customs charges during the checkout process so that international customers have an opportunity to understand that additional fees may apply before completing their purchase.
You will find them mentioned in our shipping policies (accessible via the links at the bottom of the site), on you cart page and in the checkout under "shipping method"
If you're shopping from outside Australia, we strongly recommend taking a moment to read the information shown during checkout before placing your order.
It won't tell you exactly what your country's customs authority will charge, because that's not something we can determine for you, however it serves as a reminder that international orders can be subject to charges in the destination country.
How can I find out if I'll be charged?
The best place to start is your own country's official customs or tax authority.
Look for information about:
- importing goods for personal use
- online shopping from overseas
- customs duty or import duty, VAT, GST or sales tax
- low value imports or customs thresholds
- customs clearance fees
It's also worth remembering that rules you find in an old blog post, Facebook group or Reddit thread may no longer be current.
Customs regulations can change. What applied to an order six months ago may not necessarily apply to an order today.
If you're unsure, check the most current information available from the relevant government authority or speak with your delivery carrier before ordering.
Kaitlin making sure every order is folded with care
A note for our US customers
If you're shopping with us from the United States, you may have noticed that tariffs and import requirements have become particularly difficult to navigate.
Currently all businesses outside the US are required to collect your tariff and ensure payment is made to customs before your parcels reach US borders. You will see this percentage charge included in your total shipping cost at checkout on our website. We make this payment on your behalf to US customs.
The rules have been changing rapidly since 2025, and the situation can be confusing for customers and businesses alike.
Unfortunately, this is not something Renew can control.
We are an Australian small business shipping your order internationally. We don't decide what tariffs the United States applies to imported goods, and we don't receive those charges as part of your purchase price.
The changes have also created enormous uncertainty for small businesses around the world that sell into the United States, while putting additional pressure on small businesses within the US itself.
If you're ordering from the US, we recommend checking the latest information from US Customs and Border Protection before placing an international order, as the rules can change.
A pretty stack of kantha
What happens if I don't want to pay the customs fees?
This is another question we receive from time to time.
If your parcel arrives in your country and you decide not to pay the customs duties or taxes that have been assessed, the parcel will likely be refused or left unclaimed and eventually returned to us. This isn't treated as a normal return.
Once a parcel has been refused because of unpaid duties or taxes, it has to make its way back to Australia before we can process your refund.
Per our Shipping Policy, the following applies to parcels returned to us because of unpaid duties or taxes:
- a 15% restocking fee will be deducted from your refund
- original shipping costs are non-refundable
- if your order qualified for free shipping, the applicable shipping cost will be deducted from your refund, as we are unable to absorb carrier costs for refused parcels
- your refund will only be processed once the parcel has physically returned to us here in Australia
Please be aware that returned-to-sender parcels are most often sent via the slowest and cheapest available route, so it can take some time for them to make their way back. Once we receive and process your return, you'll automatically receive an email confirming your refund.
If you're unsure about anything along the way, please get in touch with us; we're always happy to help where we can.
Our wonderful postie picking up all of your orders!
We wish customs fees didn't exist either
We know it can be frustrating to place an order, fall in love with your new Renew pieces and then receive a message from a carrier telling you there's another charge to pay.
We hate surprise fees too, but the reality is that Renew is just as much at the mercy of international customs systems as our customers are. We don't set these charges, we don't decide whether your country applies them, and we don't receive the money when they're paid to your country's customs authority or tax office.
What we can do is be transparent about the possibility of them, make the information visible during checkout and help our customers understand what they're agreeing to when they place an international order.
Why we're talking about this
Our community matters enormously to us.
The last thing we want is for someone to order something they love from Renew and then feel caught out because they didn't realise additional import charges might apply.
We also don't want customs fees to become something that feels mysterious or intimidating. Knowledge gives you the opportunity to make an informed choice.
Before ordering internationally, take a few minutes to check the rules that apply where you live. It may save you from an unpleasant surprise later, and if you're ever unsure about something on our end, ask us. We may not be able to change your country's customs rules, but we're always happy to help you understand what we can.
Because at the end of the day, we'd much rather have you feeling informed and confident about your order than caught off guard.
We wish international shopping were simpler. Until it is, we'll keep doing our best to make the process as transparent and enjoyable as possible.
As always, we appreciate your support and are eternally grateful to have the amazing, kind, thoughtful and joyous community that we have. We do our best to keep you updated on any major updates regarding international shipping via Instagram, Facebook and our newsletter, so be sure to find us there to stay in the loop and to dive into the colourful world of Renew.
