Customs and duties are taxes your government may require you to pay. This money stays in your country for the benefit of your citizens.
When cosmetics are imported from a foreign country, taxes and duties may be imposed if your government taxes its citizens to pay for the needs of the people who live in this country.
Athena Institute charges for the product itself and the cost to ship it to you. However, the taxes that your government may charge are defined by your laws and the monies collected do not come back to Athena. They stay in your country.
Sometimes the mailing service must prepay your tax before they may deliver your package. Any duty and tax bill that Airborne Express or Federal Express prepays on your behalf will be charged to your credit card.