Duty and Tax Calculator
Both charges, and how they compound.
Duty rates and thresholds change with trade policy. These are planning estimates — the entry filed with customs decides the actual charge.
Effective combined rate
24.8%
on the CIF value of £5,860
Adding the headline rates gives 24.0%, but Import VAT is charged on the duty-inclusive value, so the two compound. Budget on the effective figure, not the sum.
How the Duty and Tax Calculator works
Duty and import tax are usually quoted separately and do not simply add. Because VAT is charged on the duty-inclusive value, 6% duty and 20% VAT produce an effective rate above 27%, not 26% — and on CIF valuation the freight is inside both.
Not financial advice. Marketplace fees change, and they vary by country, plan and seller status. Every rate here is an editable default, not a quoted price — check the platform's current fee schedule before you price a product against it. This is not tax or business advice.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the combined rate higher than the two added together?
Because import tax is applied to the duty-inclusive value. 6% duty then 20% VAT on the result gives 1.06 × 1.20 = 27.2%, not 26%. The gap widens as either rate rises.
Which is usually larger?
Import tax, in most VAT and GST countries — a 20% VAT rate exceeds nearly any general duty rate. But VAT is often reclaimable while duty never is, so the smaller number is frequently the more painful one.
Does freight get taxed too?
Under CIF valuation, yes — it is inside the duty base and therefore inside the tax base as well. Under FOB the goods alone are dutiable, though tax may still apply to a wider value depending on the country.
How do I budget for this?
Model the effective combined rate rather than the headline rates, and add clearance and handling on top. For planning, importers commonly assume 25-35% above FOB cost for a CIF-valued destination with standard VAT.