Import taxes
Customs and duties
Rules for small parcels from China changed in the US, the EU and the UK between 2025 and 2026. Here is what applies now and how we handle it.
Rules here were checked in November 2026. They change often, so we confirm the treatment for your parcel in every shipping quote.
Quick overview
| Country or region | What applies to a typical Taobao parcel |
|---|---|
| United States | The $800 de minimis has been suspended since 29 August 2025. Every parcel pays duty by product classification, plus Section 301 duties on most China-made consumer goods. Most China-made goods can no longer use the informal postal route since 22 October 2026. Details |
| European Union | Import VAT from the first euro. Since 1 July 2026 parcels up to €150 pay a flat €3 customs duty per item category. Details |
| United Kingdom | 20% VAT. No customs duty on parcels worth £135 or less for now; the relief is planned to end by October 2028. Details |
| Canada | No duty or tax up to CAD 20; above that duty, GST/HST and PST on the full value. Details |
| Australia | Up to A$1,000 no duty at the border; 10% GST collected by registered sellers and shopping services. Details |
| New Zealand | Up to NZ$1,000 nothing collected at the border; overseas suppliers may charge 15% GST. Details |
| Switzerland | 8.1% VAT unless VAT and duty total under CHF 5; clearance fee from the carrier. Details |
| Norway | 25% VAT on all imports, duty on clothing, carrier handling fee. Details |
Tax-included lines versus paying on delivery
Tax-included (or duty-paid) lines add the import tax to the shipping price. The parcel is cleared before it arrives and the courier delivers it without asking for money. For the UK and the EU this is often the cheapest total, because you avoid the carrier's handling fee.
Paying on delivery is how express couriers and postal lines usually work. The carrier pays the tax at import, adds a handling fee and asks you to pay before delivery, usually by text or email with a payment link.
What the value is based on
Customs looks at what you paid for the goods, and in most countries also the shipping and insurance. Our invoice lists the items at the price paid. Keep your quote as proof of value.
Restricted goods
Some items need permits or are banned regardless of value: weapons and replicas of weapons, drugs and many medicines, plants and seeds, some cosmetics, and counterfeit goods. See prohibited and restricted items.
Questions
Will you mark my parcel as a gift or lower the value?
No. We declare the real contents and value. Under-declaring is illegal, can get parcels seized and makes insurance claims impossible.
Who pays the duties?
You do, either in the shipping price of a tax-included line or to the carrier on delivery. Your shipping quote says which.
What happens if I refuse to pay?
The carrier returns or destroys the parcel and the shipping cost is not refunded. Please check the tax for your country before choosing a line.