Litbuy customs & import taxes by country

The rule of thumb: it depends on the line and your country

Whether you pay customs on a Litbuy order comes down to two things: the shipping line and where you live.

Import rules by region

European Union. Since 1 July 2021 there is no VAT-free threshold: import VAT applies from the first euro, and customs duty applies above €150 in goods value. On DDP lines these are prepaid and included in the shipping price.

United Kingdom. Import VAT applies to goods from abroad; for consignments above £135, customs duty can apply on top. On DDP lines Litbuy prepays; on other lines the carrier collects VAT (and any duty) before delivery.

United States. This changed recently. The $800 "de minimis" duty-free threshold was suspended — for goods from China and Hong Kong on 2 May 2025, and for all countries on 29 August 2025 — and the suspension has continued into 2026. In practice this means low-value parcels are no longer automatically duty-free: duties and fees can apply regardless of value. On a DDP line the duty is prepaid, so you pay nothing on delivery; on a non-DDP line, CBP or the carrier will bill you before releasing the parcel. Always confirm the current handling for your parcel at checkout.

Other countries. Import VAT/GST and duty thresholds vary widely. Check your national customs rules, and prefer a "tax free" (DDP) line if you want no surprises on delivery.

Why the shipping price can look higher

On a "tax free" line the displayed shipping price is "all-inclusive": it already covers the duties and import taxes for your country. Don't compare it directly with plain freight quotes where customs is added later — on those, the bill simply arrives at delivery instead.