International Import Tax and Duty Guide

Overview

This comprehensive guide details import tax thresholds, duties, and additional taxes across countries and regions worldwide.

Country-Specific Information

Argentina

• Duty-Free Threshold: $50 or less
• Import Duty: Above $50: 16-35%
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 21%, Additional taxes may apply

Australia

• Duty-Free Threshold: AU$1,000 or less
• Import Duty: Above AU$1,000: 0–10% (most items are 5%)
• VAT/Other Taxes: GST: 10%

Brazil

• Duty-Free Threshold: $50 or less (for individuals)
• Import Duty: Above $50: 60% of the product value
• VAT/Other Taxes: ICMS: varies by state, ~17%

Canada

• Duty-Free Threshold: CA$20 or less
• Import Duty: Above CA$20: 0–25% (product-specific)
• VAT/Other Taxes: GST/PST/HST: 5–15% depending on the province

Chile

• Duty-Free Threshold: $30 or less
• Import Duty: Above $30: 6%
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 19%

China

• Duty-Free Threshold: CN¥500 or less
• Import Duty: Above CN¥500: 9–50% (luxury goods higher)
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 13% or 9%, Consumption Tax: varies

Colombia

• Duty-Free Threshold: $200 or less
• Import Duty: Above $200: 0-35%
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 19%

Egypt

• Duty-Free Threshold: $100 or less
• Import Duty: Above $100: 0-60%
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 14%

European Union (EU)

• Duty-Free Threshold: €150 or less
• Import Duty: Above €150: 0–25% (depending on the product)
• VAT/Other Taxes: 17–27% depending on the EU country

Hong Kong

• Duty-Free Threshold: No threshold (duty-free port)
• Import Duty: 0% (except tobacco, liquor, hydrocarbon oil)
• VAT/Other Taxes: No VAT/GST

India

• Duty-Free Threshold: ₹10,000 or less
• Import Duty: Above ₹10,000: 5–40% (depending on the category)
• VAT/Other Taxes: GST: 18%

Indonesia

• Duty-Free Threshold: $3 or less
• Import Duty: Above $3: 7.5-20%
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 11%

Israel

• Duty-Free Threshold: $75 or less
• Import Duty: Above $75: 0-12% (most items)
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 17%

Japan

• Duty-Free Threshold: ¥10,000 or less
• Import Duty: Above ¥10,000: 0–20% (depending on the item)
• VAT/Other Taxes: Consumption Tax: 10%

Malaysia

• Duty-Free Threshold: MYR 500 or less
• Import Duty: Above MYR 500: 0-50%
• VAT/Other Taxes: Sales Tax: 10%

Mexico

• Duty-Free Threshold: $50 or less
• Import Duty: Above $50: 0–35% (product-specific)
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 16%

New Zealand

• Duty-Free Threshold: NZ$1,000 or less
• Import Duty: Above NZ$1,000: 0–10% (some exemptions)
• VAT/Other Taxes: GST: 15%

Norway

• Duty-Free Threshold: NOK 350 or less
• Import Duty: Above NOK 350: 0-25%
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 25%

Philippines

• Duty-Free Threshold: PHP 10,000 or less
• Import Duty: Above PHP 10,000: 0-65%
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 12%

Russia

• Duty-Free Threshold: €200 or less
• Import Duty: Above €200: 0–30% (minimum €4 per kg)
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 20%

Saudi Arabia

• Duty-Free Threshold: SAR 1,000 or less
• Import Duty: Above SAR 1,000: 5–20% (product-specific)
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 15%

Singapore

• Duty-Free Threshold: SGD 400 or less
• Import Duty: Above SGD 400: 0–10% (most items duty-free)
• VAT/Other Taxes: GST: 8%

South Africa

• Duty-Free Threshold: ZAR 500 or less
• Import Duty: Above ZAR 500: 0–45% (depending on the item)
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 15%

South Korea

• Duty-Free Threshold: ₩150,000 or less
• Import Duty: Above ₩150,000: 8–20% (average)
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 10%

Switzerland

• Duty-Free Threshold: CHF 65 or less
• Import Duty: Above CHF 65: 0–25% (product-specific)
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 7.7%

Taiwan

• Duty-Free Threshold: TWD 2,000 or less
• Import Duty: Above TWD 2,000: 0-30%
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 5%

Thailand

• Duty-Free Threshold: THB 1,500 or less
• Import Duty: Above THB 1,500: 0–30% (luxury goods higher)
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 7%

Turkey

• Duty-Free Threshold: €22 or less
• Import Duty: Above €22: 0–30% (product-specific)
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 18%

United Arab Emirates

• Duty-Free Threshold: AED 1,000 or less
• Import Duty: Above AED 1,000: 0–5% (some items higher)
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 5%

United Kingdom

• Duty-Free Threshold: £135 or less
• Import Duty: Above £135: 0–25% (product-specific)
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 20%

United States

• Duty-Free Threshold: $800 or less
• Import Duty: Above $800: 0–37.5% (usually under 5%)
• VAT/Other Taxes: Sales Tax: 0–10% depending on the state

Vietnam

• Duty-Free Threshold: VND 1,000,000 or less
• Import Duty: Above VND 1,000,000: 0-40%
• VAT/Other Taxes: VAT: 10%

Important Notes

1. Duty-Free Threshold: The value below which imports are generally exempt from customs duties. Taxes like VAT or GST may still apply.
2. Import Duty: Percentage of the product's value charged upon exceeding the duty-free threshold. Rates vary based on product categories and trade agreements.
3. VAT/Other Taxes: Additional taxes applied to the product's total value, including shipping and duty.
4. Currency Conversion: Thresholds are in local currency unless otherwise specified.
5. Special Categories: Certain products (alcohol, tobacco, luxury goods) may have different rules or additional taxes.

For the most accurate and updated information, customers should consult their country's customs office or an international shipping expert.