Whether you have to pay clearance fees, duties and taxes for your delivery depends on the country you are shipping to, the value and type of your items as well as local legislation. We can not make a binding prediction on what the customs fees are going to be as rules vary greatly between destinations.
EU and non-EU destinations
For EU destinations no clearance fees, duties and taxes are applicable as shipments do not need to clear customs to these destinations.
Please note that some destinations while being part of the EU are not part of the customs union, this is the case for:
- Åland islands (Finland)
- Mount Athos (Greece)
- Campione d’Italia (Italy)
- Italian part of the Lugan Lake (Italy)
- Canary Islands (Spain)
- French Overseas Departments French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion (France)
- Northern Cyprus (Cyprus)
For non-EU destinations shipments will have to pass through customs and may incur fees when entering the country.
When are the fees collected
Clearance fees, duties and taxes are generally collected at the time of delivery. Depending on the carrier and destination country you may also receive a notification and be able to make the payment online.
Country details
To find out if clearance fees, duties and taxes may be applicable for your shipment we recommend to check out the information provided by your local customs agency.
Please note that the below information are based on our best knowledge and own research, they may change over time and we do not take responsibility for them being correct or up-to-date.
Australia
The Australian Border Force has put together the most important information for imports here: https://www.abf.gov.au/buying-online/importing-by-post-or-mail.
Canada
You can find all information about importing to Canada on the Canada Border Services Agencies website:
- English: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/courier/menu-eng.html
- French: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/courier/menu-fra.html
Israel
The Israel Tax Authority has compiled all information for importing into Israel by parcel here: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/guides/guide-to-importing-personally-via-parcels-or-shipping-companies.
New Zealand
The New Zealand Customs Service has compiled all information on parcel imports here: https://www.customs.govt.nz/personal/send-and-receive-items/receive-items-from-overseas/.
Singapore
Singapore Customs has compiled all relevant information for imports here: https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/importing-goods/import-procedures/importing-by-post-or-courier-service/.
Switzerland
Swiss Customs Agency have summed up the most relevant information on importing to Switzerland here:
- English: https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/en/home/information-individuals/online-shopping--mail-and-courier-consignments/importation-into-switzerland/receipt-of-letters-and-parcels.html
- German: https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/de/home/information-private/interneteinkauf--post--und-kuriersendungen/einfuhr-in-die-schweiz/empfangen-von-briefen-und-paketen.html
- Italian: https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/it/home/informazioni-per-privati/acquisti-in-internet--invii-postali-e-di-corriere/importazione-in-svizzera/ricevere-lettere-e-pacchi.html
- French: https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/fr/home/infos-pour-particuliers/achats-effectues-sur-internet--envois-postaux-et-envois-expedies/importation-en-suisse/reception-de-lettres-et-de-paquets.html
United Kingdom
You can find all information on parcel imports at https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty.
Exception Northern Ireland: While not being part of the EU anymore, Northern Ireland is still part of the EU Customs union and shipments to Northern Ireland do not have to clear customs.
United States
The CBP has put together an FAQ with the most relevant questions on importing into the United States here: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/e-commerce/faqs. There also is an article on internet purchases here: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/internet-purchases.