No rule is worldwide
Start with the customs or tax authority for the country where the parcel will arrive. Check the guidance date, whether the rule covers personal imports, and whether values include postage, insurance or duty.
Build a cost checklist
- Product price and the currency actually charged
- Shipping and optional insurance
- VAT, sales tax or other destination tax
- Customs duty and product classification
- Carrier or customs-clearance handling fees
Use the authority, not a product category label
A website’s “footwear” category is not a customs tariff classification. Do not under-declare value, mark a purchase as a gift or assume consolidation removes tax.
See the UK, EU and US authority links on the homepage. This directory was checked on 7 September 2026 and is not personal legal advice.