The customs question stresses out a lot of first-time buyers. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how it actually works.
Common Thresholds by Country
- European Union: €150 — below this, no customs duty
- United Kingdom: £135 — no customs duty below this
- United States: $800 — no duties below this
- Canada: CAD $20 — most packages are taxed
- Australia: AUD $1000 — GST applies above this
DDP vs DDU
Some shipping lines offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) — the agent pre-pays VAT and customs electronically before the package ships. This means it clears customs smoothly without you getting a bill at the door. YunExpress offers DDP on most routes — a major reason it’s the preferred carrier for most buyers.
Declared Value
Most agents let you set a declared value on your parcel. Understand your country’s customs thresholds. Never lie about what’s in the parcel — describe items accurately.
What Gets Seized?
Most hauls clear without issue. Packages that look suspicious (unusually heavy for declared value) get more scrutiny. Describing items generically helps — “clothing” rather than brand names.