Buying a rug from Morocco: shipping, customs and duties explained
How long a rug takes to arrive from Morocco, what DAP and DDP mean, and why you should never have to pay duties on your doorstep.
Buying a rug from Morocco used to mean a long wait, a vague tracking number, and sometimes a surprise bill from customs on the day it arrived. It doesn't have to work that way. Here is what to know before you order a rug from abroad, and how delivery works with us.
How long it takes
A rug that is made to order takes two kinds of time: making and shipping.
- Making: a hand-knotted rug is woven after you order it. With us, that takes four to eight weeks, depending on its size.
- Shipping: once it's ready and you've approved the photos, your rug travels by DHL Express and usually arrives in about 5 business days.
If a seller promises a "hand-knotted, made to order" rug at your door in a week, ask how. Either it was already made, or it isn't knotted by hand.
Customs, duties and taxes: the part people forget
When a parcel crosses a border, the destination country may charge import duties and taxes, such as VAT or GST. Someone has to pay them, and when that someone is you, the courier usually asks for the money before handing over the parcel, often with a handling fee on top.
Who pays depends on how the seller ships. You will see two terms:
| Term | What it means | Who pays duties |
|---|---|---|
| DAP | Delivered At Place. The seller pays the shipping only. | You, on delivery |
| DDP | Delivered Duty Paid. The seller pays shipping, duties and import taxes in advance. | The seller |
With DAP, the price you see online is not the full price. With DDP, it is. If a shop doesn't say which one it uses, ask before you order.
How we shipEvery ZenRug ships DDP, free, by DHL Express, worldwide. We pay the import duties and taxes in advance, so there is nothing to pay when your rug arrives.
What happens after you order
- You order. You can cancel for a full refund within 24 hours.
- We weave your rug. Four to eight weeks of knotting by hand.
- You approve the photos. When it's finished, we email you photos of your rug. It only ships once you've seen it.
- DHL delivers. Usually in about 5 business days. Your tracking number arrives by email.
A few tips for any rug you buy from abroad
- Check the address before it ships. Changing it once a parcel is moving is much harder. With us, contact us before your rug ships.
- Keep an eye on tracking in the last days, and make sure someone can receive a large parcel.
- Open it soon after delivery. If anything is wrong, photos of the rug and its packaging make it quick to sort out.
- Give it a day to settle. A rug that traveled rolled or folded may show creases at first. Lay it flat, and they relax within days.
If something goes wrong
If your rug arrives damaged, is the wrong rug or size, or is not as described, email us with your order number and photos of the rug and its packaging. We will replace it or refund you in full, your choice. Full details are on our shipping and returns page.
Ready to choose?Free worldwide shipping, duties paid, and photos of your rug before it ships. See every design.
