A shipping quote for a parcel going to the United States is not automatically a quote for customs clearance and import charges. Budget for both stages before buying, even when the purchase value is below $800.
Old advice about routine duty-free shopping under the $800 de minimis exemption is outdated. CBP’s June 2026 rules suspend that exemption for non-postal merchandise imports and international postal merchandise. This does not mean every product has the same duty rate.
Start with a useful product description
Give the carrier or broker the actual article, material, intended use, quantity, price and known manufacturing origin. ‘Accessories’ or ‘clothing’ alone is too vague to support a reliable estimate. Keep the invoice and the product page for the exact version purchased.
The warehouse country and the product’s origin are different pieces of information. A purchase from a UK store may have been made elsewhere. Do not replace missing origin evidence with the warehouse address.
Find the classification before the percentage
Use the official US tariff schedule and confirm the classification and applicable measures with the declarant. A base tariff line may not show every additional duty or exception relevant on the entry date. CBP’s entry rules explain why the exact product matters.
For one confirmed ad valorem component, the calculation is customs value × rate. A purely arithmetic example: if a broker confirms a 10% component on a customs value of $200, that component is $20. The 10% is hypothetical, not a current rate for your goods or a complete import quote. Specific duties can use a different calculation.
Do not confuse a simpler entry with an exemption
Postal and courier procedures differ. CBP’s postal guidance describes an informal entry process generally available for eligible mail merchandise up to $2,500. That figure concerns the procedure, not a new duty-free allowance. Ask which entry process the chosen service supports for your goods.
Ask what the quote includes
Request separate amounts for international transport, duty, any applicable government fees, broker clearance and carrier handling or advancement charges. Confirm whether payment is collected from the sender or recipient. Do not count a charge twice if it is already included.
Keep warehouse services and any optional Parcel Protection separate too. A parcel quote does not establish coverage or remove customs obligations. Check the current service rates and the conditions of the selected delivery.
Confirm the final parcel before dispatch
Use final packed weight and dimensions in the parcel delivery calculator. Then ask for the import estimate using the same contents and destination postcode. Save the estimate date and assumptions so a later change can be explained.
Declare the purchase accurately. Splitting a purchase or describing commercial goods as a gift is not a reliable budgeting method. If the goods or entry requirements are unclear, contact our support before placing the order.
Rules checked on 16 October 2026. Recheck the applicable rules before dispatch.
