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Cross-border shipping boundaries
Uisce can display your shipping information — a shipping-info section, delivery estimates, a "where we ship" note — but the zones, rates, carriers, and duty settings that actually govern cross-border orders live in Shopify shipping settings. And customs treatment, prohibited-goods rules, and the duties a shopper pays at the border are determined by the destination country and your arrangements, not by the theme.
Not legal or customs advice. This page explains the theme's boundary for cross-border shipping.
Who does what
| Owns | In practice | |
|---|---|---|
| The theme (Uisce) | Display | Shipping-info section, delivery-estimate copy, "ships to…" wording you write |
| Shopify admin | Zones, rates & duties | Settings → Shipping and delivery — zones, rates, carriers; duty collection at checkout where configured |
| You + carriers + customs | Movement & rules | Customs paperwork, prohibited/restricted goods, which countries you serve, duty arrangements |
Duties & import taxes — the boundary
Whether duties and import taxes are collected at checkout (DDP-style) or fall due at delivery (DDU-style) depends on how you've configured Shopify and the destination's rules. The theme can show a line like "duties may apply at delivery" if you write one — it does not calculate duties or guarantee a landed cost. For low-value imports into the EU, see the IOSS note on EU VAT, OSS & IOSS boundaries.
Restrictions & prohibited goods — the boundary
Every destination has its own list of prohibited and restricted goods, and some products you sell freely at home can't cross certain borders at all. Set the countries you actually serve in Shopify shipping zones, and state real restrictions plainly. Don't let "worldwide shipping" copy imply you ship anything anywhere — that's both untrue and a customs problem waiting to happen.
Delivery estimates — the boundary
Cross-border transit times swing with customs. Present delivery windows as estimates, never guarantees: "typically 5–10 business days, customs permitting" is honest; "guaranteed delivery in 5 days" invites a complaint you can't always answer.
Safe vs. unsafe wording
From storefront wording guardrails:
- ✅ "Shipping options and rates are set in your Shopify shipping settings" · "Duties and import taxes may apply at delivery, depending on destination" · "We ship to the regions listed at checkout" · "Delivery times are estimates."
- ❌ "Duty-free to every country" · "No customs surprises" · "All duties included, guaranteed" · "Worldwide shipping with no restrictions" · "Guaranteed delivery in X days."
Where to go next
- Shipping info section — the storefront surface for your shipping details
- EU VAT, OSS & IOSS boundaries — import VAT and IOSS at the border
- EU & UK readiness checklist — the shipping-settings step
- Storefront wording guardrails
What this page is — and is not
This explains the boundary between the theme, Shopify shipping settings, and cross-border rules. It is not legal or customs advice. The theme displays the shipping information you provide; zones, rates, and duty collection are configured in Shopify admin, and customs treatment, restrictions, and landed costs are determined by carriers, customs authorities, and your arrangements. Confirm your position with the relevant authority and a professional where it matters.