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Import Duty Calculator
Duty, tax and fees on the landed cost.
What it does. Import charges usually stack in a specific order: duty is calculated on the goods value plus shipping and insurance, then VAT or sales tax is charged on that total including the duty. You are taxed on the duty, which is why the final figure is higher than people expect.
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How to use Import Duty Calculator
- Enter the goods value, shipping and insurance.
- Set the duty rate for the commodity and the tax rate.
- Read the landed cost with each charge itemised.
Tax is charged on the duty
The usual sequence is: customs value equals goods plus freight plus insurance; duty is a percentage of that; then VAT or sales tax applies to the customs value plus the duty.
So a 20% tax on top of a 12% duty is not 32% of the goods value — it is meaningfully more, because the tax base includes the duty and the shipping.
Add the carrier's handling or clearance fee, which is a flat charge for presenting the declaration, and a cheap item can arrive with charges approaching its own value.
Everything depends on the commodity code
Duty rates are set per commodity code — a classification number that determines the rate for that specific product. Rates vary enormously, from zero on many goods to double digits on textiles and footwear.
Getting the code wrong is the most common reason a shipment is charged unexpectedly or held.
Trade agreements can reduce or remove duty where goods genuinely originate in a partner country, but origin means where the goods were made, not where they were shipped from — and claiming it usually needs documentation.
Thresholds and who pays
| Term | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| De minimis | Below this value, duty is often waived |
| DDP | Seller pays duty — the price you saw is final |
| DDU / DAP | You pay on delivery, plus a handling fee |
| Gift | Sometimes relieved, with a low limit and conditions |
| Returns | Duty on a returned item is often reclaimable |
That last row is worth knowing. If you import something, pay duty and then return it, the duty is frequently reclaimable — but it requires a claim, and it is not refunded automatically.
Frequently asked questions
How is import duty calculated?
Usually on the customs value — goods plus freight plus insurance — then VAT or sales tax is charged on that total including the duty. You are taxed on the duty, which is why the final figure surprises people.
Why am I paying tax on the shipping cost?
Because most systems define the customs value as goods plus freight plus insurance. The shipping is inside the base that both duty and tax are calculated on.
What is the handling fee on my parcel?
A flat charge from the carrier for presenting the customs declaration and paying on your behalf. It is separate from duty and tax, and on a low-value item it can be the largest single charge.
What is DDP?
Delivered Duty Paid — the seller has already covered duty and tax, so the price you paid is final and nothing is due on delivery. DDU or DAP means you pay on arrival plus a handling fee.
Can I get duty back if I return the item?
Usually yes, but it requires an active claim with evidence of the return. It is not refunded automatically, and many people never claim it.