Falsely declaring a customer order as a GIFT is illegal.
Business customers must declare the correct Reason for Export as ‘Sale of Goods’ for all items with a commercial value. This includes situations where goods are provided in exchange for services, such as sending products to influencers for promotional purposes.
Items acquired through purchase are not considered a “bona fide gift” by US Customs and Border Protection. As a result, goods shipped from a business to an individual will not be accepted as gifts. This applies to all international destinations.
What happens if you declare incorrectly?
If an order is incorrectly declared as a Gift, customs authorities may:
Review or hold the parcel
Contact the recipient to request proof of purchase (e.g. invoice)
Apply duties and taxes based on the full value of the goods
Return the parcel to the sender in some cases
If a parcel is returned, it must be resent with the correct declaration of ‘Sale of Goods’ and the full retail value.
Declaring items as SAMPLE
In many countries, SAMPLE cannot be used as a declaration unless the item is in an unsaleable state (for example, clearly marked or altered so it cannot be sold).
How to stay compliant
To avoid delays, returns, or additional charges:
Always declare the true Reason for Export as ‘Sale of Goods’
Declare the full and accurate value of the goods
Further information on “Bona Fide Gifts” and international shipping requirements can be found on the AusPost website. This guidance also applies to other international carriers.
Information on complying with shipping to the EU is also available via AusPost or other carrier you use for international parcels.