ImportChecker

Import planning guide

Import fees, thresholds and low-value rules

A zero duty result does not mean a parcel will arrive with no charge. Taxes, processing fees, carrier disbursement, brokerage and product controls can still apply.

Official source links checked 5 August 2026.

Short answer

There is no safe global low-value threshold. Check the destination, shipment date, entry method, product and tax separately. Budget carrier and government fees outside the percentage-duty calculation unless they are explicitly included.

Separate duty relief from tax relief

A country can waive customs duty below one value while still collecting VAT or GST from the first unit of value. A marketplace may collect tax at checkout, but that does not necessarily cover duty, excise or carrier fees. Relief can also exclude alcohol, tobacco, regulated goods or commercial consignments.

Thresholds can use customs value, intrinsic value or another defined amount. Currency conversion and split consignments can have their own rules. Use the authority’s definition rather than comparing the invoice total with a remembered headline figure.

US low-value treatment changed

Do not rely on old articles that describe a universal US $800 duty-free rule. CBP states that duty-free de minimis treatment under the relevant provision was suspended for imports from all countries from 29 August 2025, subject to stated exceptions. The current entry method and applicable tariffs must be checked.

This is a good example of why static threshold claims age badly. ImportChecker does not subtract a universal US exemption from estimates.

Common charges outside a base duty rate

Government and commercial charges are different. Some can be calculated from value or transport mode, while others depend on the carrier, port, broker, inspection or storage event.

  • Customs processing or entry fees.
  • Harbour, port, terminal and security charges.
  • Broker entry, classification and bond charges.
  • Carrier advancement, disbursement or collection fees.
  • Biosecurity, inspection, permit and agency fees.
  • Storage, demurrage and correction costs caused by delays.
  • Excise, environmental levies and trade-remedy duties.

Build a cautious landed-cost budget

Calculate goods, transport, insurance, duty and import tax first. Then obtain a carrier or broker quote for entry and handling. Add a contingency when classification, origin, trade remedies or inspection are unresolved. This makes the unknown part visible instead of hiding it inside a confident total.

Official sources

Next step

Use the import duty calculator for an early estimate, then open the destination’s authority in the source register. Read the estimator limitations before making a buying decision.