US, UK & EU customs: import charges and parcel clearance
Understand customs duty, import tax and clearance charges for parcels entering the US, UK or EU. Check the destination rules and documents needed, and keep import charges separate from shipping costs.
Check duty, VAT or other import taxes and carrier charges separately. A low item value does not automatically make the parcel tax-free. The US low-value duty-free treatment is suspended; EU low-value e-commerce duty changed from 1 July 2026. Ask which charges are prepaid and which remain with the recipient.
Quick checklist
- Keep accurate product descriptions and payment records.
- Distinguish prepaid charges from charges due on arrival.
- Check the actual destination and product rules.
- Respond promptly to a genuine clearance request.
Which charges can appear on an international parcel?
Paying for international shipping does not automatically settle customs duty, import tax or a carrier’s clearance charge. Ask which charges the quote includes, who makes the declaration and whether the recipient may need to provide documents or pay an additional amount.
| Charge | What to check |
|---|---|
| International freight | The transport price for the actual packed parcel |
| Customs duty | Applicable goods classification, origin, entry method and value |
| VAT / import tax | Where collected, taxable amount and whether already paid |
| Clearance / carrier charge | The provider’s processing fee and what it includes |
| Additional handling or other charge | The stated basis, effective date and whether prepaid |
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Are US purchases under $800 still automatically duty-free?
No. US duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments from all countries has been suspended since 29 August 2025. Do not budget from the former $800 exemption. The applicable duty and entry process still depend on the goods, origin and shipping method. Obtain the current carrier calculation rather than applying one percentage to every parcel.
How do UK VAT and the £135 goods threshold differ?
For a non-excise purchase sent to Great Britain, goods worth £135 or less generally have VAT collected at sale and no Customs Duty; this is not a VAT-free allowance. Above £135, import VAT and any applicable duty can be collected through the delivery company. Northern Ireland has separate arrangements, so confirm the actual destination and treatment. Keep proof of VAT already paid.
What changed for EU low-value parcels in July 2026?
From 1 July 2026, eligible low-value e-commerce consignments up to €150 are subject to temporary €3 customs duty per distinct tariff-classified item type, not simply per physical piece or per box. VAT remains separate. Multiple identical goods can share a classification; different types can attract separate €3 amounts. Confirm how the seller or declarant handles it and what is passed through in the quote.
EU duty example, before VAT and other charges
For an eligible consignment, three identical cotton T-shirts in the same tariff classification can count as one item type: €3. One T-shirt and one watch in two classifications can count as two types: €6. The classification and eligibility determine the calculation; this is not a complete delivered-price estimate.
Which documents should I keep for clearance?
Keep descriptions, quantities and values consistent with the real contents and payment records. Do not mark a purchase as a gift or invent a lower value to avoid charges. If a carrier needs more information, provide the correct documents through its verified channel.
| Record | What it should explain |
|---|---|
| Seller order / purchase record | The real item, selected option, quantity and price |
| Payment evidence | The amount paid and matching order reference |
| Packing list | What is actually inside the parcel |
| Freight and insurance record | Separate charges where required for valuation |
| Tax-payment receipt | Which tax was collected, for which order and by whom |
| Requested identity or import detail | Only the information the verified clearance process requires |
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What should I do if customs or the carrier asks for information?
Match the notice to the tracking reference, confirm the deadline and ask what document or charge is outstanding. Keep copies of submissions and receipts. If you believe a charge is incorrect, request the calculation and the relevant review process; ignoring the notice does not resolve it.
How can I avoid paying the same charge twice?
Keep the receipt showing what was collected at purchase or prepaid with the shipping quote. Match any new bill to the same parcel and charge type. VAT, customs duty and a carrier processing fee are different items, so a new bill is not necessarily a duplicate. Ask for a breakdown and the correction process before assuming the full amount is wrong.
Where can I check current destination rules?
Tax and customs details checked 28 October 2026. Confirm the rules and charges applying on the actual import date, especially when a new measure is approaching.
Common questions
Does “tax included” cover every charge?
Ask for the named taxes, duties and handling charges included, any exclusions and the process if the recipient receives a further bill. Correct declarations and any requested clearance information are still required.
Is Europe one customs destination?
No. Confirm the receiving country and whether it is in the EU; do not apply EU guidance automatically to the UK, Norway or Switzerland.
Are perfumes treated exactly like ordinary clothing?
No. Product classification, import requirements and carrier acceptance can differ. Confirm the actual fragrance and route rather than applying clothing assumptions.
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