UK Import Duty & VAT Calculator
Estimate customs duty, import VAT, and total landed cost for goods entering the UK.
| Customs value (goods + shipping + insurance) | £0.00 |
| Import duty | £0.00 |
| Import VAT | £0.00 |
| Excise / other charges | £0.00 |
| Total charges due at import | £0.00 |
| Estimated landed cost | £0.00 |
How UK import duty works
If you buy goods from outside the UK, you may pay charges before delivery. In most cases, those charges are: customs duty, import VAT, and sometimes excise duty (for products like alcohol or tobacco). This page gives you a practical estimator so you can understand your likely bill before you place an order.
The final amount can vary by product type, commodity code, country of origin, trade agreements, courier handling fees, and whether VAT was already collected by the seller. So treat this calculator as a planning tool, not a legal ruling.
What the calculator includes
- Goods value: The price you paid for the items.
- Shipping and insurance: Added to build the customs value.
- Duty rate: Product-specific percentage (from the UK Trade Tariff commodity code).
- VAT rate: Usually 20%, though some products use reduced rates.
- Excise / other: Optional manual amount for special goods or known extra charges.
Simple formula used
1) Customs value
Customs value = Goods value + Shipping + Insurance
2) Import duty
Import duty = Customs value × Duty rate
3) Import VAT
Import VAT = (Customs value + Duty + Excise/Other) × VAT rate
4) Total charges and landed cost
- Total import charges = Duty + VAT + Excise/Other
- Landed cost = Customs value + Total import charges
About UK thresholds (important)
UK rules can be nuanced. This tool includes an optional threshold mode to make quick estimates easier:
- Customs duty threshold: Duty is often not charged on goods value at or below £135 (except specific cases).
- Gift VAT threshold: For gifts, VAT generally applies when value is above £39.
- VAT paid at checkout: If VAT was already collected by the marketplace/seller, border VAT may be zero.
These are broad rules and do not replace official HMRC guidance. Always verify the latest position for your exact import type.
How to pick the right duty rate
The duty rate depends on your product's commodity code (tariff code). For reliable estimates:
- Look up your product in the UK Trade Tariff.
- Check whether origin rules and trade agreements reduce the rate.
- Use that percentage in the calculator's Duty rate (%) field.
Example calculation
Suppose you import goods worth £300, shipping is £25, insurance is £5, duty rate is 4%, and VAT is 20%.
- Customs value = £300 + £25 + £5 = £330
- Duty = £330 × 4% = £13.20
- VAT base = £330 + £13.20 = £343.20
- VAT = £343.20 × 20% = £68.64
- Total import charges = £13.20 + £68.64 = £81.84
Estimated landed cost is therefore £411.84 before any courier admin fee.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong duty rate for your product category.
- Forgetting shipping and insurance in the customs value.
- Not checking whether VAT was already collected by the seller.
- Ignoring courier clearance/admin fees (not included in this calculator).
Final note
This UK import duty calculator is designed for quick, practical planning. If the shipment is high value, commercial, or compliance-sensitive, confirm everything with official HMRC resources or a qualified customs broker.