Shop the UK, Ship Anywhere: Import Rules by Region 2026
Shop the UK, Ship Anywhere: Import Rules by Region 2026
TL;DR: Buying from British stores is the easy part. What happens at your border is where shoppers get caught out, because import rules in 2026 vary more than ever. The EU now charges a flat €3 duty per item category on low-value parcels, the USA has no duty-free threshold at all, Switzerland charges no duty on most goods, and Australia only applies formal clearance above AUD 1,000. This guide compares what to expect region by region, and how to keep your total cost down wherever you live.
One Address, Every Destination
A single Send2Hub address at our Stoke-on-Trent warehouse lets you shop British retailers that never ship abroad, and we ship to virtually every country with Royal Mail, Parcelforce, UPS, DHL, FedEx or DPD. If you want to know how forwarding itself works, our parcel forwarding guide walks through it step by step. This guide picks up where that one stops: what changes once your parcel leaves Britain, from customs duty and VAT to who pays, when, and how much.
Europe: Inside the EU
Shipping into the EU has changed twice in 2026. Since 1 July, parcels valued at €150 or below pay a flat customs duty of €3 per item category, on top of local VAT. From 1 November, EU customs add a handling fee of €2 per item at any value, and Product Identifiers become mandatory on customs declarations. In most EU countries the recipient pays these charges on delivery. The exception is Royal Mail shipments to Germany, Denmark and Luxembourg, where import charges are paid upfront before dispatch.
Tip for EU shoppers: consolidating your orders means each item category pays the €3 duty once, rather than in every separate parcel.
Read more in our 2026 EU customs changes guide and our guide to EU Product Identifiers, or go straight to your country: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark.
Europe: Outside the EU
Switzerland and Norway follow their own rules rather than the EU's. Switzerland, for example, has abolished duty on industrial goods such as clothing, beauty and electronics, and does not collect VAT when the tax would come to less than CHF 5, so small orders can sometimes travel more cheaply on their own. Our guide to buying from the UK in Switzerland explains when it pays to combine orders and when it doesn't.
North America
The USA suspended its $800 duty-free threshold in August 2025, so every parcel from Britain to the USA is now subject to import duty, whatever its value. With Royal Mail, the estimated charges are paid upfront when you pay for shipping. With other carriers they are not paid upfront and may be collected on delivery. Our USA forwarding guide covers the details.
Australia and New Zealand
Distance makes consolidation especially valuable here, because one well-packed box usually costs far less than several small ones. Australia applies 10% GST, and imports above AUD 1,000 go through formal customs clearance. See our Australia forwarding guide before you plan a big order.
Middle East
The Gulf and the wider Middle East are among our busiest destinations, with regular shipments to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel. Each country sets its own duty and VAT rules, so check our UAE shopping guide, Israel shopping guide and Saudi Arabia page before you order.
Asia
British books, outerwear and skincare travel well to Asia, but rules vary widely from one country to the next. Mongolia, for example, charges 10% VAT and 5% duty on most goods, with an exemption for small personal parcels. Our Mongolia shopping guide explains how that works, and for other destinations our customs duty estimator gives you an idea of duty and VAT before you ship.
What Stays the Same Wherever You Are
Whichever region you ship to, a few things never change. Storage is free for 30 days on Individual, 45 on Business and 60 on Premium. Consolidation is free and typically saves 40 to 60% on shipping. Every parcel gets a standard arrival photo in your dashboard. If a store won't take your card, our Shop & Ship service buys for you for 3% + £5. The prohibited items list is the same everywhere, so perfume, aerosols and standalone batteries can't be forwarded to any country. And our price match guarantee applies to shipping wherever you are.
Not sure where to start shopping? Our UK Shopping Directory lists British retailers across every category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you ship to my country?
We ship to virtually every country in the world from our warehouse in Britain. Enter your destination in the shipping calculator to see live rates from all six carriers.
Will I pay customs charges on my parcel?
That depends on where you live and what you buy. The EU, the USA, Switzerland and Australia all apply different thresholds and rates. Our customs duty estimator gives you an idea of duty and VAT before you ship.
Do I pay import charges upfront or on delivery?
For most destinations, the recipient pays on delivery. With Royal Mail, charges for the USA, Germany, Denmark and Luxembourg are paid upfront before dispatch.
Which carrier is best for long-distance shipments?
For distant destinations, express carriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS are usually fastest, while Royal Mail and Parcelforce are often better value for lighter parcels. Compare live rates before you choose.
Can I combine orders from different British stores?
Yes. Consolidation is free and typically cuts shipping by 40 to 60%, which matters most for long-distance destinations.