Sending a package to American Samoa – costs and customs

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Customs data collection

Enter the product description, customs tariff number, value and origin directly during the booking process.

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Shipping from

32.95 €

Delivery in

5-20 days

Guaranteed total cost for Platinum customers

Clarify DDP shipping to American Samoa in advance.

With DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), the sender covers the agreed import costs. This allows the recipient to plan a more predictable delivery.

However, DDP shipping to American Samoa is not available with every shipping provider. Additionally, local fees and excise taxes may apply.

The following points should be clarified before booking:

• Does the service provider DDP offer services in American Samoa?
• Who is acting as the importer?
• Is the recipient allowed to import the goods?
• What local taxes apply?
• Is there an import permit?
• Can the sender pay the fees in advance?
• Is a local customs representative necessary?

DDP can be useful for:

• Spare parts with a fixed agreed total price
• regular deliveries to companies
• high-quality business mailings
• Guaranteed deliveries
• Online orders with transparent final costs

Alternatively, DAP (Delivered on Delivery) is an option. In this case, the recipient usually pays the local import duties.

The recipient should be informed before shipping. Otherwise, processing may be delayed.

Read more about Incoterms.

What customs duties apply in American Samoa?

American Samoa is politically part of the United States. However, the territory lies outside the regular US customs territory.

Therefore, the same rules do not automatically apply as for California, Florida, or New York. American Samoa conducts its own customs inspections. The territory also largely manages its own border affairs. US Department of the Interior

Traditional import duties have been generally abolished under local law. Instead, excise taxes may be levied on imported goods.

General excise tax on commercial goods

For many products that are used commercially or resold, the newer version of the law provides for an excise tax of 8 percent .

The rate was increased from 5 percent to 8 percent by Public Law 37-2. Public Law 37-2

Different rules apply, among other things, to:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco products
• Firearms and ammunition
• Vehicles
• certain fuels
• lubricant
• soft drinks
• certain building materials

The exact load therefore depends on the specific product and its intended use.

Basis of the calculation

Local regulations generally base their calculations on the purchase price. Additional costs may be incurred for packaging and preparing the goods for shipment.

Freight, transport insurance and other purely shipping costs are generally not included according to the legal calculation rule. American Samoa Code § 11.1001

Nevertheless, shipping service providers may charge their own fees for handling, presentation, or storage.

Is there an import sales tax in American Samoa?

American Samoa does not use a value added tax system comparable to the German import sales tax.

Instead, the focus is on local excise taxes on imported goods. For many products used commercially or intended for sale, the general rate is 8 percent.

However, the actual amount depends on several factors:

• Type of goods
• Usage
• Purchase price
• tax exemption
• Import procedures
• Recipient status
• local special rules

The duty-free allowance of US$800, familiar from the rest of the USA, cannot be applied to American Samoa without verification. The territory has its own customs jurisdiction.

Especially with DDP shipments, the specific tax amount should therefore be confirmed before booking.

Which documents are required?

For goods from Germany, a commercial invoice or pro forma invoice is usually required.

The invoice should contain the following information:

• Full name of the sender
• Sender's address
• complete recipient details
• detailed English product description
• number of pieces
• Price
• Total value
• Currency
• Net and gross weight
• Customs tariff number
• Country of origin
• Reason for shipment
• Delivery terms
• bill number
• Date of invoice

For multiple items or packages, a packing list is also useful.

Depending on the goods, further documents may be required:

• Import permit
• Certificate of Origin
• technical product description
• Safety Data Sheet
• health certificate
• Plant health certificate
• Proof of conformity
• Dangerous goods declaration
• Battery documentation
• medical certificate

Use accurate product description

Terms like "parts", "goods", "samples" or "gift" are not sufficient.

A better description would be:

“Two stainless steel replacement valves for a commercial water pump”

The description specifies quantity, material, product, and use. This helps customs to classify the goods more easily.

American Samoa should not be confused with Samoa.

American Samoa and the independent state of Samoa are two different shipping destinations.

Therefore, when booking, it should be explicitly stated that American Samoa can be selected. The ISO country code is AS.

Selecting "Samoa" may result in an incorrect route or incorrect billing.

Common mistakes when shipping to American Samoa

Many delays occur as early as the booking stage. American Samoa is particularly often confused with the independent state of Samoa.

Other typical mistakes include:

• Only "USA" was selected as the destination country.
• The selection "Samoa" was used.
• The country code AS is missing.
• The postal code 96799 is incorrectly entered.
• The recipient's phone number is missing.
• Only one post office box was provided.
• The parcel service does not deliver to post office boxes.
• The commercial invoice is missing.
• The product description is too general.
• The value of the goods was stated as zero.
• The country of origin is missing.
• The customs tariff number is incorrect.
• The local excise tax was not included in the budget.
• DDP availability was not checked.
• An import permit is missing.
• No plants or foodstuffs were registered.
• Dangerous goods were booked as normal goods.
• Delivery to a neighboring island was not checked.

Weather-related disruptions can also affect delivery times. Therefore, a time buffer should be planned for important shipments.

What goods are shipped to American Samoa?

Many everyday products are imported into American Samoa. This is partly due to its remote location and small local market.

Frequently sent:

• clothes and shoes
• Computers and accessories
• Smartphones and spare parts
• Tools
• housewares
• Electrical devices
• Machine components
• car parts
• Measuring devices
• medical aid
• Office supplies
• Spare parts for businesses
• Product samples
• Business documents
• Sports and leisure goods

Food, plants, seeds, animals, and animal products are subject to strict controls. Medicines, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, and hazardous materials also require separate inspection.