UK Customs Calculator: Import Duty & Tax
Use our free import duty calculator for the UK to estimate the total tax and customs charges for goods sent from abroad.
Import Cost Calculator
Enter the details of your import to estimate the costs.
Import Cost Breakdown
An estimate of the total landed cost of your goods.
Estimated Total Landed Cost
£703.80
Value of Goods (CIF)
£560.00
Customs Duty
+£14.00
Import VAT (20%)
+£114.80
Courier Handling Fee
+£15.00
Total Taxes & Duties
£128.80
Understanding Tax and Customs for Goods Sent from Abroad
When you buy goods from outside the UK, the price you pay to the seller isn't the final cost. Your total customs charges depend on the value and type of goods, as different tax and duty rules apply.
Goods worth £135 or less
VAT is charged at sale, no Customs Duty for non-excise goods.
For most items valued at £135 or less, the overseas seller is responsible for charging you UK VAT at the time of purchase. This means you should not have to pay any additional VAT when the item arrives in the UK.
There is no Customs Duty on non-excise goods in this price bracket. This threshold does not apply to excise goods (e.g. alcohol and tobacco).
Goods worth more than £135
VAT and Customs Duty are charged on arrival.
For goods over £135, VAT is not charged at the point of sale. Instead, Import VAT and any applicable Customs Duty are charged when the goods arrive in the UK. The courier will typically pay these on your behalf and then bill you before delivering your items.
Our customs duty calculator UK is designed for this scenario to help you estimate these costs. The duty rate depends on the type of goods and their origin, so always check the Trade Tariff service.
Don't Forget Carrier Fees
Most courier companies (like DHL, FedEx, etc.) will pay the duty and VAT on your behalf to get the package through customs quickly. They will then bill you for these taxes and add their own administration or handling fee (customs fee), which is typically around £10-£25.
What about Excise Duty?
Excise Duty is an additional tax on specific goods like alcohol and tobacco. It is charged regardless of the value of the goods and is separate from Customs Duty. If you are importing these items, you will have to pay Excise Duty, Customs Duty, and Import VAT. You can estimate this with our alcohol duty calculator.
Returns & Overcharges
If you return goods to the seller, you can claim a refund on any Customs Duty and Import VAT you paid. Similarly, if you think you've been charged too much tax and duty, you can apply to HMRC for a refund by submitting the correct forms and evidence.
How to Calculate Import Costs: An Example
Imagine you're using a UK import tax calculator for a shipment of leather handbags worth over £135 from Turkey.
- Goods Cost: £8,000
- Shipping & Insurance: £1,500
Check Threshold
The shipment is worth more than £135, so Customs Duty will apply.
Find Duty Rate
Using the UK Trade Tariff tool, the commodity code for leather handbags shows a duty rate of 3.5%.
Calculate Duty
Duty is on the goods value + shipping + insurance: (£8,000 + £1,500) * 3.5% = £332.50.
Calculate Total Cost
VAT is 20% of (Goods + Shipping + Insurance + Duty). So, (£9,500 + £332.50) * 20% = £1,966.50 in VAT.
Total landed cost is £9,500 + £332.50 Duty + £1,966.50 VAT = £11,799.