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FAQ

U.S. tariffs frequently asked questions

Tariff is a tax or customs duty imposed by a government on imported or exported goods. Different tariffs applied on different products by different countries or territories. The tariff, along with the other assessments, is collected at the time of customs clearance in the foreign port.

Please view our guide on managing U.S. Tariffs here

In general, the responsibility of tariff is agreed between a shipper and a recipient. Payment can made by the shipper, the recipient, or a third-party account.

What is De Minimis?

De Minimis is the valuation ceiling that allow for duty or tax-free entry of a shipment. This threshold varies across markets.

The HS code (Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System) is a code used by customs worldwide to help categorize imported and exported goods. For shipment declared in the U.S., a 10-digit HS code is required.

HS codes for textile and apparel products importing into the U.S. can be found here.
http://trade.gov/data-visualization/us-textile-and-apparel-correlation

The HS Code might have different names depending on where the shipment is going and who is in charge of it. Some of these names include Harmonized Tariff Schedule code (HTS), Harmonized System Nomenclature code (HSN), commodity code, or tariff.

Regardless of the name, the description of your products determines such codes. This code is important because it determines the duty and tax rates that apply to your shipment.

MID code is used as an alternative to the full name and address of a manufacturer, shipper or exporter and is required for U.S. customs entries for certain shipments. Properly constructed MID code must be shown on the air waybill and commercial invoice for import clearance of certain shipments.

Changes to U.S. tariffs may impact the duties and taxes charged on goods shipped across borders. Understanding how to estimate and pay duties and taxes help facilitate smooth customs clearance and prevent unexpected costs to your shipments.

Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) is an identification number assigned to individuals or businesses that are required to pay taxes in the U.S. The EIN or SSN of the recipient is required for formal customs entry. Missing EIN or SSN information will lead to shipment being caged by the U.S. customs and returned to the shipper. The EIN or SSN of the recipient should be provided in the Tax ID field of FedEx shipping tools.

To expedite your shipment, we may pay the duties and taxes to customs on your behalf, and then deduct this expense from your main wallet balance. Receipts will be uploaded to your online account. This service may incur a Disbursement Fee (applies to duty and tax payors) or Duty and Tax Forwarding Fee (applies to duties and taxes invoiced to third-party payors outside the destination country/ territory), depending on the shipment destination.

Package sizes and consolidation

With DashShipper, you get the convenience of consolidating multiple purchases from Chinese e-commerce apps into one smart, budget-friendly global shipping plan. Each **5kg box** from Hong Kong equals “1 quota”, and we manage every step of the journey — from pickup in China/Hong Kong to final delivery worldwide.

Let us simplify your cross-border shopping with transparent quotas, real-time tracking, and reliable service tailored to your needs.

How are shipping quotas calculated for my monthly plan?

Each package of up to 5kg box shipped from Hong Kong to your final international destination (e.g., USA, Europe, etc.) counts as “1 quota” under your monthly plan.
For example, if your shipment weighs more than 5kg but less than or equal to 10kg, it will be packed into two 5kg boxes and will count as “2 quotas” from your monthly Basic or Super subscription.

This allows you to plan ahead and know exactly how many shipments you can send.

Yes! You can shop from different merchants across popular Chinese platforms like Taobao, Pinduoduo, and others. All your purchases will be consolidated in China, then shipped to our warehouse in Hong Kong. We will provide you the Hong Kong pick up address to ship to, which you then provide to the ecommerce app you are buying from. Please note, this is solely your responsibility to manage, but our team will be there to support you and on-board when you start.

Once received in Hong Kong, we’ll visually inspect exterior only and optionally repackage your items into the most efficient shipping boxes — either 5kg (for Basic, Super plans) or 10kg (Premium plans only) — depending on the total weight and dimensions. Please note while we try tp consolidate for cost efficiency, we will not hold items for consolidation for over 7 days. Items collected and consolidated are shipped out within 7 working days, unless otherwise advised, we will ship out within 3 working days. 

Once you have signed up and been on-boarded by one of our specialists, you will be provided with a specific Hong Kong mailing address to use, depending on the apps you are shopping on, e.g. merchants across popular Chinese platforms like Taobao, Pinduoduo, and others. All your purchases will be consolidated in China, then shipped to Hong Kong, and consolidated again in our Hong Kong warehouse. 

*Please note, this is solely your responsibility to manage shopping on the apps, but our team will be here to support you.

 

We handle all the logistics seamlessly. Packages may go through intermediate hubs like Singapore for customs processing or to optimize delivery routes.

However, when calculating your monthly quota usage, only the final leg of the journey — from Hong Kong to your final destination — is counted. So even if your package goes through multiple stops, we still calculate based on the outbound shipment from Hong Kong. This is normally charged as one shipment/ quota deducted from your monthly quota plan.

Yes. Our fixed monthly subscription plans DO NOT include any shipping charges, customs duties, taxes, or other fees. These costs are calculated separately and deducted from your Main Wallet.

You must maintain a sufficient balance in your Main Wallet to cover these expenses before we can process your shipment(s).

The Main Wallet is your personal account balance used to pay for all variable costs, including:
– International shipping fees
– Customs duties and taxes
– Additional services (e.g., insurance, inspections)

To activate your Main Wallet and start using DashShipper, you must deposit a minimum of USD $100. You can top up anytime, and funds never expire.

DashShipper supports a wide range of personal-use and small parcel items, including:
✅ Fashion & clothing
✅ Cosmetics & beauty products
✅ Small electronics (non-battery, non-restricted)
✅ Small home goods & decor

We do not accept prohibited, hazardous, or oversized items. Please review our full list of restricted items before placing orders. For small businesses with larger volumes, please speak to our team for our personal shopper services. Please note the volume restrictions per package for your specific monthly plan.

Monthly quotas are strictly for the current month and will not be carried forward to the next month. Should there be any issues, we will be glad to take a look case-by-case and provide solutions or a refund for unforeseen circumstances.

When we pick up your purchases in Hong Kong, you will get a notification from the app or on SF Express app. It is the buyers’ responsibility to track and acknowledge receiving the packages. 

Due to the lengthy shipping periods, the lapse in time between pick up in Hong Kong and arrival to your e.g. U.S. home address may be significant. However, you can follow up with the merchants on  each shopping app at any time if a problem arises. Please note that some merchants may mislead with false advertising and product photos, and you can file a complaint to each ecommerce app customer representatives to get refunds. This is solely your responsibility to manage. 

Liability for lost packages

At DashShipper.com, we are committed to providing exceptional service and transparency in the shipping process. While we cannot accept liability for lost packages, we are here to assist you in facilitating your shipments and ensuring a smooth process at every stage.

Is DashShipper responsible for lost packages?

No, DashShipper is not responsible or liable for lost packages. Once your shipment is handed over to the selected courier (e.g., Hong Kong Post, Singapore Post, DHL, FedEx), the responsibility for handling and delivery lies entirely with that courier.

If your package is lost, it is the responsibility of the courier to investigate and address the issue. Each courier has its own policies and procedures for lost packages, and we recommend contacting them directly to initiate a claim or inquiry.

If your package has been tracked but has not been delivered, you should contact the courier directly to investigate the delay or issue. DashShipper does not have control over the courier’s operations once the package is in their possession.

Compensation for a lost package depends on the courier’s terms and conditions. Some couriers offer insurance or limited liability coverage for lost or damaged packages. If you purchased additional insurance through the courier, you can file a claim with them for compensation.

DashShipper acts solely as a freight forwarder, facilitating the shipment process and handing over packages to third-party couriers for delivery. Once the package is with the courier, we no longer have control over its handling, tracking, or delivery. For this reason, liability for any loss or damage lies with the courier.

To minimize the risk of lost packages:

  • We always use a reliable courier with a good track record.
  • Consider purchasing additional insurance for valuable items.
  • Ensure the shipping address and contact details are accurate and complete.
  • Track your package regularly to stay updated on its status.

We work with reputable couriers such as Hong Kong Post, Singapore Post, DHL, FedEx, and others. However, please note that the terms and conditions of these couriers govern the handling and delivery of packages once they receive them.