When sourcing from suppliers on the Pietra Marketplace, it's important to understand how shipping fees and duties are handled. This article explains how shipping costs are assessed for sample and inventory/bulk production orders.
How are shipping costs determined?
Shipping costs are generally determined between you and your supplier via your Inbox chats. If shipping costs are not explicitly discussed, your supplier will follow some best practices to assess your shipping and potential duties that may be due.
For sample orders, either the supplier or Pietra will typically include a standard shipping fee directly in your invoice. This fee typically reflects the supplier’s expected shipping cost and may also account for duties or tariffs but not always.
For inventory/production orders, the supplier may issue a separate invoice, depending on whether expected shipping costs are known when the invoice is generated.
You can always message your supplier to discuss shipping fees and timelines, paying duties upfront, or shipping DDP versus DDU. It's best to communicate directly via your Inbox messages.
Will I have to pay duties or tariffs on my order?
While the importer (the purchaser) is technically responsible for any tariffs, suppliers may handle and pay these duties on your behalf when shipping samples or production orders. It is important to check with your supplier for guidance on if you will be subject to duties or tariffs on your order.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may assess additional tariffs if they determine more are due. These decisions are made at their discretion and are not something Pietra or your supplier can always predict or control.