Clearing fees

What are customs clearance fees?

Customs clearance fees is the collective term for all costs associated with clearing a shipment from a country outside the EU. They typically consist of three components. The import duty is the customs tax on the goods, which depends on the product category and the value of the shipment. VAT is calculated on the total of the value of the goods, shipping costs, any insurance costs, and the import duty, usually at the standard rate of 21%. In addition, the carrier or customs broker charges handling fees for processing and declaring the shipment to customs. These three components together make up the total amount you ultimately pay.

How are customs clearance fees calculated?

The calculation always follows the same order: first the customs value, then the import duty, and only then the VAT on the total.

Shipments up to €150

For most shipments up to €150, a flat import duty of €3 per product category applies. For example, if you order three different product categories in a single package, the import duty can total up to €9. For certain goods, a detailed customs declaration is always required, resulting in a higher rate, even if the value remains below €150. This applies, among other things, to alcoholic beverages, perfume, tobacco, excise goods, and goods for which a license or certificate is required.

Orders over €150

For amounts over €150, the import duty depends on several factors: the value of the shipment, the material the product is made of, and the country of origin. In these cases, the standard import duty rates for each product category apply instead of the flat rate. Are you unsure about the correct classification of your goods? We’ll assess your situation.

Do you always have to pay customs clearance fees?

In most cases, yes, if your shipment comes from outside the EU. There are a few exceptions. Some areas are outside the EU for tax purposes, even though they are located within Europe, such as the Canary Islands, Åland, and Campione d’Italia. Shipments from these areas are often subject to the same rules as those from countries outside the EU. If you refuse a package because you don’t want to pay the fees, the shipment will be returned to the sender. If you don’t pay within the specified time frame, the same consequence often applies.

Customs Clearance Fees for Different Carriers

Major parcel carriers such as PostNL charge their own handling fees for customs clearance in addition to import duties and VAT. These handling fees vary by carrier and are separate from the import duty itself. Important to know: Import duties are a statutory tax that is the same for everyone, while handling fees are set by each carrier or customs broker individually. You can read more about this distinction and the current EU regulations on this topic on our page about handling fees.