Tips
5 Common Mistakes When Shipping a Parcel Abroad
Half of all international parcel claims trace back to the same five mistakes: vague item description, poor packaging, using postal services instead of couriers, false "gift" declaration, and ignoring prohibited items. Here's what each mistake actually costs and how to avoid it.
International shipping has a surprisingly short list of things that go wrong — and most problems trace back to the same five mistakes. If you’ve ever had a parcel stuck at customs, refused at a collection point, or delivered damaged without compensation, one of these was probably the cause.
Mistake 1: Vague customs description
Writing “personal items”, “gift”, “goods”, or “clothing” on a customs form is the single most common reason for customs holds. Customs officers need to classify your shipment by HS tariff code — and they can’t do that from a one-word description.
What goes wrong: The parcel is held at customs. The recipient gets a request for additional information. This can add 3–10 days and may result in a physical inspection. If customs decides the declared description is evasive, they may apply the highest possible duty rate for that product category.
The fix: Be specific and commercial. Instead of “clothing” → “2 cotton T-shirts, size M”. Instead of “electronics” → “USB-C laptop charger, 65W, value €45”. Include quantity, material, intended use, and value in the local currency.
Mistake 2: Underestimating packaging
Standard courier networks sort parcels mechanically and stack them. A box that seems solid at home can be crushed by the weight of other parcels in transit. The carrier’s standard liability for damaged goods without declared-value insurance is typically €50–100 — far below the value of most electronics or fragile items.
What goes wrong: Item arrives damaged. Carrier compensates at basic liability rate. You absorb the difference. Filing a claim without photo documentation of both the damaged packaging and contents is almost always unsuccessful.
The fix: Use double-walled cardboard for heavy or fragile items. Fill all empty space with bubble wrap or paper — parcels that shift internally are more likely to be damaged. Photograph both the packed item and the sealed box before handing it to the carrier. Add declared-value insurance for items over €100.
Mistake 3: Using postal services for time-sensitive or valuable items
National postal services (Royal Mail, Deutsche Post, La Poste) are cheaper for international shipments but significantly slower and offer limited compensation for lost or damaged items. For non-EU destinations, postal services route through national postal networks at the destination, which have unpredictable customs processing times.
What goes wrong: A parcel to the USA via postal service takes 14–28 days vs. 3–5 days via DHL Express. For non-EU destinations, postal services often provide no real-time tracking once the parcel leaves the country of origin. Loss rates are higher on postal routes.
The fix: For anything above €50 in value or with any time sensitivity, use a tracked courier (DPD, GLS, DHL Express, FedEx). For EU routes, Eurosender often offers carrier rates close to postal prices with far better tracking and reliability.
Mistake 4: Declaring commercial goods as “gifts”
The EU removed the €22 VAT-free threshold in 2021. A “gift” exemption still technically exists for genuine personal gifts up to €45 (no commercial value). Some senders mark commercial goods as gifts to avoid VAT — this is customs fraud.
What goes wrong: Customs recognises the discrepancy (commercial invoice attached, but “gift” declared). The parcel is seized. The recipient may face fines. Repeat offences can result in shipping bans for the sender’s account.
The fix: Declare the accurate commercial value. VAT at the destination is the recipient’s responsibility — inform them in advance. For genuine private gifts between individuals (not commercial purchases), a “gift” declaration is legitimate, but it does not exempt from VAT above €45.
Mistake 5: Not checking the destination’s prohibited items list
Every country has prohibited and restricted import items — and they vary significantly. Alcohol to the UAE. Prescription medication without documentation to Japan. Pork products to Islamic countries. Certain supplements to Australia. Lithium-ion batteries as standalone items on certain air freight routes.
What goes wrong: Parcel is seized at destination customs with no refund. The sender is liable for return shipping costs if the item is returned (not all items are). Some seizures result in fines.
The fix: Check both the carrier’s prohibited items list and the destination country’s customs regulations before shipping. Our prohibited items guide covers the most common restrictions by country category.
Summary
Most international shipping problems are preventable: describe items accurately, pack properly, choose a tracked courier for anything valuable, declare the real value, and verify destination restrictions. The cost of getting these right is near zero — the cost of getting them wrong is a parcel held for weeks or a compensation claim denied.
Quick facts
5 Common Mistakes When Shipping a Parcel Abroad
schedule Updated
Summary
The five most common international shipping mistakes: (1) vague customs item description (causes holds and fines), (2) insufficient packaging (carrier liability is limited), (3) choosing postal services over couriers for speed-sensitive or valuable items, (4) false "gift" declaration on commercial goods (customs fraud), (5) ignoring the destination country's prohibited items list. Each mistake has a concrete cost and a simple fix.
- Most common customs issue
- Vague description — "personal items", "gift", "goods"
- Carrier damage liability (DPD/GLS without insurance)
- Approx. €50–100
- EU customs duty threshold
- €150
- False customs declaration fine
- Item confiscation + potential fine or ban
- Average postal service delay vs. courier (non-EU)
- 3–10 extra days