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Customs charges calculator

See what you pay when a parcel or gift arrives from abroad.

Rates checked 18 October 2026Great Britain

By the ComputeNow team, checked against GOV.UK and HMRCSources (5)How we calculate

Price or value of the goods

What you paid, or the gift's value. Not postage.

Is it a gift from someone abroad?

No, I bought itYes, a gift

Postage

What are the goods?

Duty rates from the UK Trade Tariff, 19 October 2026.

Where were they made?

The country of origin, not where they were posted from.

I have proof they were made there (for a trade agreement rate)

Goods made in the EU, Japan and many other countries can pay less or no duty, if the invoice or seller confirms where they were made.

Or enter your own duty rate

Optional: we use the Trade Tariff rate.

Is any of it alcohol or tobacco?

NoAlcoholTobacco

These pay Excise Duty as well, whatever their value.

Type of drink

Strength (ABV)

Total litres

12 bottles of 75cl is 9 litres.

Type of tobacco

How many cigarettes, or grams

UK retail price of the cigarettes

Cigarettes only: duty is partly a share of it.

More optionsInsurance, VAT rate, handling fee

Insurance

VAT rate on the goods

20%5%0%

Most goods are 20%. Children's clothes and books are 0%.

Delivery company handling fee

The courier's fee for collecting the tax. Optional.

No sign-up. No bank login. What you type stays in your browser.

You pay on delivery

£73.96

Goods worth over £135 pay Customs Duty and import VAT.

How it adds up

Item	Amount
Goods	£200.00
Postage	£15.00
Value for duty (goods, postage and insurance)	£215.00
Customs Duty for t-shirts and vests (cotton) (code 6109100010): 12%	£25.80
Import VAT at 20% on £240.80	£48.16
You pay on delivery	£73.96

The delivery company asks for this before handing over the parcel. Check any letter or text is really from them before you pay.

This is an estimate, not advice. For parcels to Great Britain; Northern Ireland has different rules. The duty rate depends on what the goods are and where they were made: check it in the UK Trade Tariff.

Next steps

Import duty and VAT calculatorFor businesses importing goods to sell.
VAT calculatorAdd or take VAT off a price.

What's Left adds up your monthly figures from each calculator and shows what is left each month.

You pay on delivery £73.96Breakdown

How customs charges are worked out

A gift worth £39 or less, sent by someone abroad, has nothing to pay. If you buy goods worth £135 or less, the seller adds UK VAT at checkout and there is nothing more to pay at the door.

A gift worth more than £39 and up to £135 pays import VAT. Over £135, goods pay Customs Duty as well, on the value including postage and insurance, and VAT is charged on the total including the duty.

Alcohol and tobacco always pay Excise Duty, Customs Duty and VAT, whatever their value. The delivery company collects the tax and usually adds a handling fee.

Common questions

Do I pay customs charges on a gift from abroad?

Not if it is worth £39 or less. A gift worth more than £39 and up to £135 pays import VAT; over £135 it pays Customs Duty too. Alcohol and tobacco are always taxed.

Do I pay customs on things I buy from abroad?

For goods worth £135 or less, the seller should add UK VAT at checkout and there is nothing to pay on delivery. Over £135 you pay Customs Duty and import VAT when the parcel arrives, usually with a handling fee.

How much is customs on a £200 order?

With £15 postage and a 12% duty rate (common for clothing): £25.80 Customs Duty and £48.16 import VAT, £73.96 before any handling fee. The duty rate depends on the goods and where they were made.

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Guides and help

Official services and free advice

Tax and duty on goods sent from abroadGOV.UK: parcels, gifts and paying charges Find your commodity codeUK Trade Tariff: the duty rate for your goods Import goods into the UK: step by stepGOV.UK: for businesses and individuals

Sources

Each source was last checked on 18 October 2026.

These results are an estimate, not financial advice. They use the 2026/27 rates in force on 24 October 2026 and the inputs shown, so your actual tax, pay or costs may differ. Before making a decision about your money, check the figures with HMRC or your provider, or speak to a regulated financial adviser. Free, impartial guidance is available from MoneyHelper.

This page explains the rules using the 2026/27 rates in force on 24 October 2026. It is general information, not financial advice. For decisions about your own money, speak to a regulated financial adviser, or get free, impartial guidance from MoneyHelper.