Question 1

Why am I being charged when I already paid for the item?

Accepted Answer

Import duty, import VAT/GST and the carrier's handling fee are separate from the price, unless the seller collected them at checkout (IOSS, UK seller VAT, Australian GST, or delivered duty paid).

Question 2

Do the rules on my order date or the arrival date apply?

Accepted Answer

The arrival date. A parcel ordered before a rule change but arriving after it pays the new rate.

Question 3

Does it matter where the item was made?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The US Section 301 tariffs and Canada's US-goods surtax depend on the country of origin, not the shipping address.

Question 4

Is post or courier cheaper for import charges?

Accepted Answer

It depends. Posts charge flat fees (e.g. Royal Mail £8, Canada Post C$9.95); couriers charge a percentage with a minimum (e.g. FedEx UK £12.90 minimum). Canada also has higher courier thresholds for US/Mexico shipments.

Sources: royalmail.com, cbsa-asfc.gc.ca, fedex.com, cbsa-asfc.gc.ca · reviewed 9 Nov 2026

Post vs courier →

Question 5

How long will customs hold my parcel?

Accepted Answer

There is no reliable public data on typical release times, so Parcelsline doesn't predict them. Legal clocks do exist: e.g. US goods go to a general order warehouse after 15 days, and UK posts keep a fee-to-pay parcel 21 days.

Sources: ecfr.gov, personal.help.royalmail.com · reviewed 9 Nov 2026

Decode a status →

Question 6

Can I refuse to pay?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes. Refused parcels go back to the sender and you ask the seller for a refund. Express carriers may charge return or duty costs to the shipper.

Question 7

I got a text asking me to pay a customs fee. Is it real?

Accepted Answer

Treat it as suspicious. USPS does not text payment links. Type the carrier's address yourself and check the tracking number there.

Question 8

Can I get the handling fee back?

Accepted Answer

Generally not. USPS states its fee is non-refundable even if CBP refunds the duty. Ask the carrier if it was charged in error.

Question 9

Are gifts exempt?

Accepted Answer

Some are: US gifts up to $100 and UK private gifts up to £39 (VAT). The gift must be between private individuals.

Question 10

What counts as an 'item' for the EU €3 duty?

Accepted Answer

A distinct tariff subheading, not each unit: 5 T-shirts count once; a T-shirt and a watch count twice. PostNL counts the product lines the sender declared.

Question 11

How accurate is Parcelsline's estimate?

Accepted Answer

It applies dated, sourced rules to your inputs, but product duty rates depend on classification you enter yourself. Unconfirmed figures are shown separately and kept out of the total. It is not a bill.

Sources: taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu, zonos.com · reviewed 9 Nov 2026

See all rules →

Question 12

Is the $800 de minimis back after the Supreme Court tariff ruling?

Accepted Answer

No. The ruling struck down IEEPA tariffs, but the de minimis suspension was continued by EO 14388 and codified by CBP on its own authority.

Question 13

What will a $100 parcel made in China cost by post?

Accepted Answer

From 24 Jul 2026: MFN duty for the product (often 0%) + 12.5% forced-labor tariff + any China list rate, and USPS's $9.35 fee. With 0% MFN and no list rate that is $21.85.

Question 14

Do postal parcels to the US need prepaid duties?

Accepted Answer

Yes, postal shipments under $2,500 arriving from 24 Jul 2026 require prepaid duties, with entry filed by the buyer or a licensed broker.

Question 15

I paid tariffs before 24 Feb 2026. Can I get them back?

Accepted Answer

IEEPA duties are refundable. UPS reimburses the payer after CBP pays UPS; FedEx has a portal; DHL generally refunds automatically; importers of record use CBP CAPE.

Question 16

Why did UPS add a fee on top of the duty?

Accepted Answer

UPS charges 2.5% of duties/taxes it advances, minimum $17.50 (from 7 Sep 2026), plus $12 if you pay at the door instead of online.

Question 17

My parcel says 'Held in Customs'. What happens next?

Accepted Answer

CBP decides to release or detain within 5 business days; if no decision within 30 days it is treated as excluded. Unentered goods move to a general order warehouse after 15 days.

Question 18

How long do I have to dispute US duty?

Accepted Answer

A CBP protest is due within 180 days of liquidation. Informal entries are generally treated as liquidated at entry; ask a licensed broker.

Question 19

Can my sender still post to the US?

Accepted Answer

Most major posts have resumed, often prepaid-only. Canada Post lists all US services available; Finland's Posti still suspends goods as of 17 Oct 2026.

Question 20

What is Entry Type 13?

Accepted Answer

A new electronic informal entry for mail. Its mandatory date was pushed from 22 Oct 2026 to 20 Jan 2027.

Question 21

Do I pay €3 on every parcel to the EU?

Accepted Answer

€3 per distinct tariff subheading in consignments up to €150, since 1 Jul 2026 (IOSS or postal). It is levied on the declarant, so with IOSS it is usually in the price.

Question 22

Is there a new €2 EU fee?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Since 1 Nov 2026 a €2 Union handling fee applies per distinct customs item (two identical pens count as one) at any parcel value, on top of the €3 duty. The seller or delivery company pays and may pass it on. It is never refunded, even if the goods are faulty. Example: a €10 parcel with three different items is €9 duty + €6 fee = €15, plus VAT.

Sources: eur-lex.europa.eu, revenue.ie, eurlexa.eu · reviewed 9 Nov 2026

EU rules →

Question 23

Is VAT charged on cheap parcels?

Accepted Answer

Yes, from the first euro since 1 Jul 2021: at checkout via IOSS (up to €150) or at import.

Question 24

What does Deutsche Post charge in Germany?

Accepted Answer

€7.50 when import charges arise and DHL advances them.

Question 25

Is France's €2 parcel tax still charged?

Accepted Answer

No. It ran from 1 Mar 2026 and was abolished on 1 Jul 2026, replaced by the EU €3 duty.

Question 26

Does Italy charge an extra €2?

Accepted Answer

Italy's €2 per consignment (up to €150) is postponed to 1 Jan 2027 by DL 193/2026 (Gazzetta Ufficiale 23 Oct 2026). Status possible: the 2027 Budget Bill proposes repealing it. What this means for you: not charged in December 2026. From January it is a possible extra that is not added to the main total. On a €25 order the EU fees already apply; the Italian €2 would be additional only if enacted. Not refunded if you return the item. Check whether checkout already includes fees and keep your receipt.

Sources: gazzettaufficiale.it, normattiva.it · reviewed 9 Nov 2026

EU guide →

Question 27

What does PostNL charge?

Accepted Answer

€10 per parcel up to €150; €16 above or for extended declarations. You can object via PostNL's chatbot after paying, or refuse the parcel.

Question 28

Is there a Romanian parcel fee?

Accepted Answer

Yes, 25 lei per non-EU parcel under €150 since 1 Jan 2026, on top of the €3 duty.

Question 29

How do I get EU import charges back after a return?

Accepted Answer

IOSS VAT: from the seller. Netherlands: within 90 days after the return. Ireland: Revenue's claim route. Elsewhere, ask the carrier for the national procedure. The €2 Union handling fee is never refunded, even if the goods are faulty.

Sources: taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu, douane.nl, revenue.ie, eur-lex.europa.eu · reviewed 9 Nov 2026

EU refunds →

Question 30

Do I pay customs on orders under £135?

Accepted Answer

No customs duty on non-excise goods up to £135; the seller charges VAT at checkout.

Question 31

What will a £140 order by Royal Mail cost?

Accepted Answer

20% VAT on goods + postage (£28 on £140 with free postage), duty if the product's rate is above 0%, plus the £8 Royal Mail fee: £36 at 0% duty.

Question 32

What do UK carriers charge to clear a parcel?

Accepted Answer

Royal Mail £8, Parcelforce £12 (£25 above £900), DHL Express 2.5% min £11, FedEx greater of £12.90 or 2.5%. UPS is reported at 3% min £14.35.

Question 33

How long do I have to pay a Fee to Pay?

Accepted Answer

21 days from the card (pay online by day 19); after that it is returned to the sender.

Question 34

How do I claim back UK import VAT or duty?

Accepted Answer

BOR286 for Royal Mail/Parcelforce; C285 for couriers. Claim the Royal Mail handling fee from Royal Mail.

Question 35

Is Northern Ireland different?

Accepted Answer

Non-business consignments up to £135 that are 'at risk' of entering the EU pay €3 per item, charged in sterling.

Question 36

Are gifts to the UK taxed?

Accepted Answer

Private gifts up to £39 carry no VAT.

Question 37

Is the £135 relief going away?

Accepted Answer

Yes, by October 2028 at the latest, under the low-value imports reform.

Question 38

When do I pay duty and tax in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Mail: above C$20. Courier from US/Mexico: tax above C$40, duty above C$150. Courier from elsewhere: above C$20.

Question 39

Why was I charged a surtax on a small US order?

Accepted Answer

Since 8 Sep 2026 Canada charges 15%, 25% or 50% on 700+ listed US-made goods, even below the low-value thresholds.

Question 40

What is Canada Post's C$9.95 fee?

Accepted Answer

A handling fee per dutiable or taxable mail item, on top of the duty and tax.

Question 41

What does DHL Express charge in Canada?

Accepted Answer

2.75% of duty and tax, minimum C$18, for customers without a DHL brokerage account (2026 guide).

Question 42

How do I dispute Canadian charges?

Accepted Answer

Use Form B2G for casual imports, including surtax adjustments.

Question 43

Which sales tax rate applies?

Accepted Answer

GST 5%, or HST 13% (ON), 14% (NS), 15% (NB, NL, PE). Provincial sales tax at import is not modelled in Parcelsline.

Question 44

Do UPS and FedEx charge brokerage in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Yes, value-banded entry fees are reported (e.g. C$19.10 and C$17.25 for C$40.01-60), but only the lowest band was found.

Question 45

Do I pay customs on orders under A$1,000?

Accepted Answer

No duty or border GST (except tobacco and alcohol); the seller charges 10% GST at checkout.

Question 46

What happens above A$1,000?

Accepted Answer

You need an import declaration and pay duty, GST and charges, including an A$50 import processing charge (electronic, under A$10,000) and A$48 biosecurity charge for air.

Question 47

I returned an item. How do I get the GST back?

Accepted Answer

GST charged at checkout is refunded by the seller or marketplace.

Question 48

Can I split orders to stay under A$1,000?

Accepted Answer

The threshold applies to the consignment's customs value, and GST is still charged at checkout below it, so splitting doesn't avoid GST.

Question 49

What duty rate applies above A$1,000?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the tariff classification; Parcelsline did not verify a general rate, so enter your product's rate.

Question 50

Will the courier add a fee?

Accepted Answer

Couriers and brokers add their own clearance fees above A$1,000; amounts were not verified.

Frequently asked questions

General

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Australia