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The European Union (EU)
The 27 EU countries are
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, The Irish Republic, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden & The United Kingdom.
If you live within The European Union (EU)
and buy merchandise online from Hong Kong (China),
you risk by importing the goods to be charged:
customs duty - IF the value of the goods is € 10 or above
import VAT - IF the value of the goods is € 22 and above
There might be minor variations to these amounts and various procentages charged in each country.
Contact your local customs duty and import tax office to obtain precise information for your country.
United
Kingdom & Northern Ireland (EU)
New rules for Online shoppers:
On Monday 1 December (2008), the limit for customs duty imported from non-EU countries
will increase from 22 EUR (18 GBP) to 150 EUR (105 GBP). The limit
for VAT is not changing and will stay at 22 EUR (18 GBP).
Source: HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
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Italy (EU)
Previously, Italy did not allow import from China,
but are open for trade now.
Source: Il Portale Dell' Informazione
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Iceland (EFTA)
All imported packages from abroad are subject to duties and VAT plus a 450 ISK fee (also applies for low-value packages).
Source: The Consumer Spokesman
Norway (EFTA)
Online shopping:
Import of merchandise purchased on the Internet
In principle, all items sent from abroad and imported to Norway are subject to charges.
Exceptions are: Shipments from abroad with a value (excl. p&p and insurance expenses)
up until 200 NOK.
Source: Tollvesenet
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Switzerland & Liechtenstein (EFTA)
In principle, every item sent from abroad is subject to customs duties and
VAT. There is no special exemption limit like that allowed for passengers carrying goods
with them, only a duty-exemption limit. This means that customs duties and value added tax
are not levied if they total no more than CHF 5.00 per customs declaration.
Source: Swiss Post
Note: Liechtenstein has a Customs Union with Switzerland and uses the same currency. Though (like Switzerland) not part of the European Union, it belongs (unlike Switzerland) to the European Economic Area.
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Canada
You don’t have to pay duty or the GST on the following goods that are
imported into Canada by mail:
goods worth CAN$20 or less.
Source: Canada Border Services Agency
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United States of America
Duty-free personal shipments from overseas:
Packages whose declared value is under $200
($100 if being sent as a gift to someone other
than the purchaser) will generally be cleared
without any additional paperwork prepared by
CBP.
Source: CBP.gov
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Australia
All goods (except for tobacco products and alcoholic beverages) may be imported duty and tax free if their value is AUD 1,000 or less.
Source: Australian Customs Service
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New Zealand
No revenue collection will be made if the total amount owing on the goods imported is less than NZD 50.
Source: New Zealand Customs Service
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India
Duty-free Items:
Certain permissible duty-free items include clothes, jewelry, ... and gifts not exceeding the value of INR 600.
Source: Trade Chakra
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Japan
Those goods at a total customs value of 10,000 JPY or less shall be
exempted from taxation of customs duty and consumption tax.
Source: Japan Customs
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South Africa
Many goods, especially industrial inputs, enter duty free. Where duties apply, the rates generally fall between five and 25 per cent, although protection can be quite high, with automobile tariffs at 50% per cent. Goods not exceeding a value of R400 are not liable for customs duty and do not have to be entered on a bill of entry.
Source: Guide to Importing into South Africa
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South America - Guyana
Import Tariffs: As a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), Guyana has a Common External Tariff (CET) rate that ranges from 5% to 20%. All duties are ad valorem.
Most imports are also subject to a consumption tax, which is determined on a product-specific basis. The tax is levied on the total CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) cost of the goods plus the import duty.
Source: Goliath Business Knowledge on demand
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