Guide · 2026-11-05
Customs, by destination
The rules changed in 2026. A parcel that cleared cheaply in 2025 can land with a bill in 2027.
Customs is the least predictable line in any haul and the one buyers estimate worst. The 2026 EU change removed the €150 duty-free threshold for most parcels and introduced a flat per-item charge plus VAT. The UK and US kept their structures but tightened enforcement.
European Union
From July 2026, most low-value parcels attract a flat duty of about €3 per item plus local VAT. VAT is charged on the goods value plus freight, which is why the freight line matters more than it used to. A five-item parcel can add €15 of duty before VAT.
United Kingdom
VAT applies from the first pound on most imports. Duty starts above £135 of goods value. Couriers often collect VAT plus a handling fee, which is where the surprise £12 comes from.
United States
The $800 de minimis still covers most personal parcels. Above that, duty depends on the classification and origin. Enforcement on repeated shipments to the same address has increased, so resellers should not assume the threshold is unlimited.
DDP lines
A DDP (delivered duty paid) line bundles duty and VAT into the freight quote. It costs more upfront and removes the doorstep bill. For a first haul, the certainty is usually worth the premium.
How to estimate
Use the landed-cost tool with the destination VAT rate and a flat duty figure. Treat the result as a ceiling, not an average. Then decide whether the row still looks cheap.