#ask-the-community

Thread

Rachel Lorenzon - HEiST February 21, 2025 at 11:28 AM

Hey all, looking for advice from fellow product founders on sending commercial samples abroad.

We’re a UK-based business shipping samples to the EU and beyond for wholesale/retail distribution. We currently send a Proforma Invoice with the true replacement value (up to £55) on highest value item), but some shipments have been held up at customs.
Do you declare the replacement value or a nominal value? Also, do you mark or modify the product to clarify it's a sample

Gaia Tonanzi February 22, 2025 at 01:08 PM

I put the replacement value, but honestly shipping into the EU has been our biggest nightmare so far 🫠 my advice would be to send with duties pre-paid because there is always a chance customs will stop it otherwise