Calculate your import duty charges
See what upfront customs fees you could pay if you import goods to the UK.
Our free tool gives an accurate breakdown of customs charges so you know what import fees you can expect to pay next time you order something from abroad.
Our free tool gives an accurate breakdown of customs charges so you know what import fees you can expect to pay next time you order something from abroad.
How does the UK charge import duty?
If you’ve purchased something from abroad, you may be aware that the UK charges import duty and taxes
on most items over £135 in value. For gifts, the import duty threshold is £630.
See how much you could be charged for import duty fees in the table below. Or for a more accurate breakdown of customs charges, use our UK import tax calculator for free.
See how much you could be charged for import duty fees in the table below. Or for a more accurate breakdown of customs charges, use our UK import tax calculator for free.
| Type and value of goods | Import duty rate |
| Any goods under £135 | No charge |
| Gifts worth £135 – £630 | 2.5% (though this could be lower for some items) |
| Gifts above £630 or any other goods above £135 | This depends on the type of goods being sent and where they’ve come from. Use our UK import tax calculator for an accurate quote. |
UK Import Duty Calculator
Who are Duty Refunds?
Getting a customs fee refund should be easy and simple, no matter where you are.
We simplify the process and save you the time and stress of having to deal with HMRC.
Read more about us here.
We simplify the process and save you the time and stress of having to deal with HMRC.
Read more about us here.
Have you returned an item abroad from the UK?
Getting your customs duty back from HMRC is mind-blowingly time-consuming. Let us handle it for you.
How do I pay import tax charges?
If you’ve purchased something from abroad, you may receive an email from the seller’s
courier stating how much needs to be paid for import duty and VAT. They’ll usually send
you a payment link too. Once you pay the import duties, the courier will deliver your parcel.
If something seems off or incorrect, or if you need more information, you can ask the courier for a breakdown of customs fees.
If something seems off or incorrect, or if you need more information, you can ask the courier for a breakdown of customs fees.
How does customs duty work?
Believe it or not - international importing and exporting is fascinating stuff.
There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that most people aren’t aware of.
For UK shoppers, the process of paying customs duty is pretty straightforward.
But the process of getting customs duty refunded back from HMRC on your own is no picnic.
Here’s how the customs duty process works with Duty Refunds.
For UK shoppers, the process of paying customs duty is pretty straightforward.
But the process of getting customs duty refunded back from HMRC on your own is no picnic.
Here’s how the customs duty process works with Duty Refunds.
Pay import duty
If you’ve purchased something from abroad worth over £135, you’ll need to pay import fees to receive the parcel. Make sure to keep delivery documents.
Return the goods
If your purchase doesn’t work out, contact the seller and send back the items according to their returns policy.
Reclaim import duty
After the item is returned, you can reclaim customs duty. Just give us your tracking number, and we’ll handle it all for you.
Get your refund
Once your claim is approved, you get your money back - usually in around 3 weeks.
Are you a retailer?
We’re building a cross-border solution for online retailers who want to integrate UK
customs duty processes into their sales journeys.
How much does it cost?
We charge a flat 15% service fee on the total amount of your refund.
There are no hidden costs
and you only pay when we’re successful in reclaiming your customs duty.
and you only pay when we’re successful in reclaiming your customs duty.
01
You buy a sofa from France
02
You pay £500 for the sofa and £100 in customs duty to HMRC
03
You return the sofa and receive a £500 refund
04
You contact Duty Refunds and we reclaim your customs duty from HMRC on your behalf
05
You receive £85 straight into your account, which is £100 minus our 15% fee
Questions?
Got any questions for us? We’d love to hear from you.
You can get in touch with us by email on
[email protected]
or via our
live chat.
Can I get my customs duty refunded?
If you’ve returned an item to a retailer abroad worth over £135, then most likely yes! There are a few caveats though. Certain items like alcohol and tobacco aren’t eligible.
And there are time limits too.
If you returned the item because it was damaged or defective, it can’t have first entered the UK more than 365 days ago. And if you returned the item because you didn’t want it anymore, it can’t have entered the UK more than 90 days ago.
And there are time limits too.
If you returned the item because it was damaged or defective, it can’t have first entered the UK more than 365 days ago. And if you returned the item because you didn’t want it anymore, it can’t have entered the UK more than 90 days ago.
How long does it take to get my refund?
How much will I get back?
Who will handle my claim?
What is a letter of authorisation?
Who are Duty Refunds?