Worldwide Customs Duty & Tax Estimator — Calculate Before You Ship
When you ship a parcel internationally from the UK, the recipient may be required to pay import duties, taxes or customs fees before their parcel is released for delivery. The amount varies significantly by country, item type and declared value. Our free worldwide customs duty and tax estimator gives you an indication of what your recipient may need to pay — helping you plan costs, set expectations and avoid unpleasant surprises at delivery. Use the calculator below, then read our guide to understanding how international customs charges work.
Understanding International Customs Duties and Taxes
Customs duties and import taxes are charges levied by the destination country's government on goods arriving from abroad. They apply to parcels shipped from the UK to virtually every international destination — though the rates, thresholds and calculation methods vary considerably from country to country.
The Three Main Types of International Import Charges
Customs Duty (Import Duty) — a tax calculated as a percentage of the declared value of the goods. The percentage varies by product type (based on the HS tariff code) and by destination country. Common rates range from 0% to 20% or more for certain product categories.
Import VAT — most countries apply their standard VAT rate to imported goods, calculated on the declared value plus any customs duty. In the EU this is typically 20–25% depending on the member state. In the UK, import VAT of 20% applies to goods arriving from abroad valued above the de minimis threshold.
Customs Handling or Clearance Fees — many carriers charge a one-off customs clearance fee for processing the import paperwork. This is separate from duty and VAT and is charged per shipment regardless of value.
What Is the De Minimis Threshold?
Most countries apply a de minimis threshold — a minimum declared value below which no customs duty or import VAT is charged. Shipments valued below the threshold pass through customs without charges. Above the threshold, full duty and tax rates apply. Key de minimis thresholds for common destinations:
EU (all member states): €150 for customs duty — no duty below this value, though VAT applies from €0 for B2C shipments under the EU VAT OSS rules introduced in 2021.
Australia: AUD $1,000 — no duty or GST below this threshold for most goods.
Canada: CAD $20 — one of the lowest thresholds. Most shipments above CAD $20 are subject to duty and GST.
Norway: NOK 350 — goods above this value are subject to Norwegian VAT at 25% plus any applicable duty.
Israel: USD $75 — duty and VAT (17%) apply above this relatively low threshold.
UK to EU Customs — Post-Brexit
Since Brexit, the UK is treated as a third country by EU customs authorities. All goods shipped from the UK to EU member states are subject to EU import rules — including customs duty where applicable and VAT in the destination country. Key documents required for UK to EU shipments include a commercial invoice, HS tariff code and where required, an EORI number for the sender. Send2Hub prepares all required customs export documentation for outbound international shipments from our UK warehouse.
Returned Goods Relief — Avoiding Double Taxation on Returns
If you are re-importing goods that were originally exported from your country — such as UK customer returns being shipped back to your home warehouse — you may be eligible for Returned Goods Relief (RGR). This allows you to re-import goods without paying customs duty or import VAT again, provided you can demonstrate the goods were previously exported and are returning within the required timeframe. Send2Hub declares consolidated return shipments as "Returned Goods" to support your RGR claim. We recommend retaining your original outbound shipping invoices as proof of export.
How Send2Hub Handles Customs Documentation
For every outbound international shipment, Send2Hub prepares all required customs export documentation — commercial invoices, CN22/CN23 customs declarations and any carrier-specific documentation required for your destination country. You provide the item descriptions, HS tariff codes and values; we handle the rest. Accurate customs documentation reduces the risk of delays, unexpected charges or seizure at the destination border.
Frequently Asked Questions — Customs Duty and Import Tax
Who pays customs duty — the sender or the recipient?
In most cases, customs duty and import VAT are paid by the recipient in the destination country. However, some carriers offer Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) services where the sender pays all duties and taxes upfront, resulting in a smoother delivery experience for the recipient. This is particularly useful for ecommerce sellers who want to offer transparent pricing to their customers.
What is a customs duty calculator and how accurate is it?
A customs duty calculator provides an estimate of the import charges likely to apply based on the declared value, product type and destination country. Our estimator is a guide only — actual charges may vary depending on the carrier, the customs authority's assessment of the goods, the HS code applied and any applicable trade agreements. Always consult a customs broker or the destination country's official customs authority for definitive rates on high-value shipments.
What documents are needed for international customs clearance?
Standard documents required for international customs clearance from the UK include a commercial invoice (showing sender, recipient, item descriptions, HS codes and declared values), a CN22 or CN23 customs declaration form for postal shipments, and a packing list for larger consolidated shipments. For EU shipments post-Brexit, an EORI number is required. Send2Hub prepares all standard customs documentation for every outbound shipment.
What is Returned Goods Relief and how do I claim it?
Returned Goods Relief (RGR) allows you to re-import goods that were previously exported without paying customs duty or VAT again. To claim RGR you typically need proof of the original export — such as the original shipping invoice or export declaration — and the goods must be returned within the permitted timeframe (usually 3 years). Send2Hub declares consolidated return shipments as "Returned Goods" to support your RGR claim. We recommend consulting your customs agent for country-specific RGR requirements.
Does Send2Hub handle customs documentation for all international shipments?
Yes. Send2Hub prepares all standard customs export documentation for every outbound international shipment from our warehouse. You provide accurate item descriptions, HS tariff codes and values; we handle the rest. For complex shipments or specific country requirements, we recommend consulting a licensed customs broker.
Want to estimate your international shipping costs? Use our shipping cost calculator. Shipping returns internationally? See our returns handling guide for details on how we manage customs for consolidated return shipments.
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