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The Daily Insight

Do you pay import tax on goods China?

Author

Ava Robinson

Published Mar 24, 2026

As your parcel will be from outside the EU, you may be charged VAT or excise duty on it. You’ll also need to pay customs duty on gifts or other goods from China if they’re worth more than a certain value. If you also need to pay VAT, it’ll be charged on the total value of your goods, including import duty.

Is it legal to import products from China?

There is no general import permit for importing products from China. However, you might need a permit to import from a federal agency certain goods from China. Different federal agencies oversee different imported products and requirements can vary.

How can I import good from China?

Importing from China: A Step by Step Guide

  1. Identify your import rights.
  2. Identify the goods you want to import.
  3. Ensure the goods you wish to import are permitted into your country.
  4. Classify your goods and calculate the landed cost.
  5. Find your supplier in China and place an order.
  6. Arrange your cargo transport.

Do I have to pay customs for package from China to us?

You’ll need to pay customs duty (or import tax) on any goods you move across the US border from China, though goods from some countries are exempt due to different international trade agreements. The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces customs rules. The minimum threshold for import tax is $800.

How do I pay import tax in USA?

You may pay it in any of the following ways:

  1. U.S. currency only.
  2. Personal check in the exact amount, drawn on a U.S. bank, made payable to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
  3. Government check, money order or traveler’s check if the amount does not exceed the duty owed by more than $50.

Do I have to pay VAT on imported goods from USA?

You normally have to pay VAT and import duty from USA on goods imported (i.e. from non-EU countries) when they are first brought into the EU (i.e. UK). Your goods will not be released by customs until HMRC has received your full payment of duty and VAT. Some freight forwarders take a fee for handling this payment.

Do you have to pay taxes when shipping from the US to China?

Estimate your tax and duties when shipping from United States to China based on your shipment weight, value and product type. , your shipment may be subject to a custom duty and import tax.

How are import taxes and duties calculated in China?

Importing certain key components and raw materials or exporting certain key technical equipment and products listed in the catalogue to eligible Chinese domestic enterprises is exempt from import VAT and customs duties. The amount of import taxes and customs duty payable is calculated based on the price or value of the imported goods.

Do you have to pay customs duty from China to the US?

What is customs duty? You’ll need to pay customs duty (or import tax) on any goods you move across the US border from China, though goods from some countries are exempt due to different international trade agreements. The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces customs rules.

How does the UK charge import duty on China goods?

How does the UK charge import duty on China goods? If you need to pay import duty on goods from China, you’ll be contacted by Royal Mail (or your courier) and told how to pay. You’ll usually have 3 weeks to pay any charges, before they send parcel back.