Startxpress | Import Duty Calculator | Free Customs Duty Calculator UK

Free UK Import Duty Calculator

This free import duty calculator will help you determine customs duties, including UK import tax, and provide an estimate of the potential amount you may have to pay when importing goods into the UK.

Want to trade in the UK but you have no company over there? Learn how Startxpress can help you manage your UK based business across borders.

How to calculate import duty in the UK?

If your package is subject to import duties, Royal Mail or your courier will advise you how to pay. You'll usually have three weeks to pay any charges before the parcel is returned.

Parcels from outside the EU may be subject to VAT, customs or excise duties. This also applies to gifts and items from the EU over a certain value.

Use this import duty calculator to estimate the duty and assess your potential tax liability before you receive an invoice.

How to use the Import Duty Calculator?

This import duty calculator simplifies the process of determining potential duties when importing goods into the UK.By following the steps outlined in the table, users can easily calculate duties.

The calculator automatically assesses whether duty is applicable based on the commodity code provided. It will display either "estimated duty free" or a duty rate (cents/kg). The Import Duty Calculator then provides an estimate of the total duty owed.

It's important to note that these are only estimates derived from the UK Customs Tariff. Startxpress is not responsible for any misinterpretation or errors and omissions resulting from the information provided by this tool.

Step	Field	Actionsto calculate UK import duty
1	Shipment Origin	Select the import country from the available options.
2	Shipment Destination	This import duty calculator only applies to imports into the United Kingdom.
3	Cost of the imported goods	Add the estimated value of the product.
4	Shipping Costs/Insurance	Enter any shipping and insurance charges for the product in the field provided.
5	Type of goods	Select the type of goods if it’s a gift, excise goods or ‘other’ that you are shipping.
6	CIF OR FOB	Select whether you want to include shipping and insurance costs in the value for duty and tax calculation (CIF), or if you prefer not to include them (FOB).
7	Commodity code OR product description	Type in a specific product or try to get as close as possible with your description, or you can type in the exact commodity code. If more than one product or commodity code is related to that word, a drop-down list will appear. Simply browse and select the commodity code description that best describes your product.

What does the customs duty calculator not do?

This calculator will not help you determine the origin of your goods or which rules of origin apply. In addition, it does not provide information on any quotas or special procedures that may reduce your overall tax liability.

How do you calculate import duty in the UK?

Suppose you're importing a shipment of car parts from China into the UK. The goods are valued at £15,000, with additional shipping and insurance costs of £7,000.

1	Since the shipment exceeds £135 in value and cannot be classified as gifts, a specific import duty rate will apply.
2	To determine the amount you'll need to pay, you'll need to check the commodity code for car parts and then apply the import duty rate for that specific code, which is typically 2%.
3	Tax will be due on the total cost of the goods and shipping, which is £22,000 (£15,000 for the goods + £7,000 for shipping).
4	2% of £22,000 is £440 (£22,000 × 0.02). Therefore, the total payment for the goods, shipping and import duty would be £22,440. In addition, because it's from outside the EU, VAT would also apply to this amount.

How to pay import tax?

UK Customs will immediately notify either Royal Mail or your designated courier if import duty is due on a shipment. They will then contact you with the amount due and the deadline for payment. As a result, you do not need to worry about calculating the tax unless you suspect there has been an error.

To streamline the process, it's often beneficial to request the shipping invoice from your supplier prior to delivery. This will allow you to inform Royal Mail or your courier in advance and facilitate payment of the charges before the goods arrive in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the import duty rate for sample products?

If you purchase goods solely for sampling purposes, with no intention of resale, you may be able to reduce your import duty and VAT expenses. To qualify for this benefit, the goods must meet certain criteria:

1. They must be of negligible value.

2. They must be used exclusively to solicit future orders for the same product.

However, if the cumulative cost of the products, shipping, duty and insurance exceeds £15, VAT will still apply. In addition, if this total exceeds £135, UK customs duty will also be charged.

Use the free import duty calculator to estimate your potential tax liability.

What's the difference between duty and tax?

Tax is the broad term that encompasses money owed to the government for various transactions, including the transportation of goods.

• Import duty, a specific type of tax, is charged on the purchase price of imported products.

• Another tax paid by the final consumer is Value Added Tax (VAT).

Additional taxes, such as Excise Duty, are applied to certain imported goods, such as alcohol and petrol.

In the UK, HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) negotiates preferential rates of import duty with certain countries.

HMRC also imposes anti-dumping duties on goods that it believes have received unfair subsidies from foreign governments. This levy is intended to create a level playing field for UK manufacturers.

Can this duty calculator calculate duties for both inbound and outbound shipments to and from the UK?

Yes, this import duty calculator has been designed to assist in calculating the duty and VAT obligations associated with importing certain goods into the United Kingdom.

How much is import duty after Brexit?

From January 1, 2021, the rules for importing goods from outside the UK will be the same, regardless of whether the goods come from an EU or non-EU country.

How much can I import without paying duty?

Generally, goods valued at £390 or less can be imported without paying duty. However, items purchased from a foreign retailer are only exempt if they are valued at £135 or less and do not contain alcohol or tobacco. These limits also apply to gifts.

FREEUK IMPORT DUTY CALCULATOR