Duties & Taxes — Understand Your Costs Before You Check Out
Below is a clear, country-by-country practical guide to the import VAT/GST (or sales tax) and the typical customs duty you can expect when an OutletCity order (HS 4202.21 — leather handbags) ships from the United Kingdom.
All parcels leave our London warehouse Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU) — local authorities will collect any taxes or duties that apply after the shipment crosses the border. Rates and thresholds can change without notice: treat the figures below as indicative only and always check your national customs website for the latest rules.
1) European Union — typical VAT & duty (indicative)
Under the EU-UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement, goods that qualify as UK-origin clear at zero customs duty. If the bag was manufactured outside the UK you’ll normally see the EU common external tariff for leather handbags (≈ 3–5%).
| Country | Standard VAT % | Typical customs duty on UK-origin goods* |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 19% | 0% |
| France | 20% | 0% |
| Italy | 22% | 0% |
| Spain | 21% | 0% |
| Netherlands | 21% | 0% |
| Ireland | 23% | 0% |
| Finland | 25.5% | 0% |
| Hungary | 27% | 0% |
| Luxembourg | 17% | 0% |
*If goods are not UK-origin, expect the EU leather handbag tariff (≈ 3–5%). VAT rates are taken as indicative.
2) United Kingdom (domestic)
The price shown already includes 20% UK VAT for domestic UK orders — no additional import duty or tax for UK domestic shipments.
3) Non-EU Europe
| Country | VAT / GST | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Norway | 25% | Duty-free allowance NOK 3,000; leather handbags usually 3–6% duty above allowance. |
| Switzerland | 8.1% | CHF 300 de-minimis for VAT; duty charged by weight (usually a few CHF/kg). |
4) United States
Sales tax: collected by the destination state (0–10% depending on state and local rules).
Customs duty: MFN rate for leather handbags ≈ 8–9% (varies by subheading & origin).
De-minimis: USD 800 for most origins (note: some reforms/restrictions apply to certain origins).
5) Canada
GST/HST: 5–15% depending on province.
De-minimis: CAD 20 for all countries (special rules for US/Mexico under CUSMA).
Duty: Leather handbags typically 8–10% unless covered by an FTA.
6) Australia & New Zealand
Australia: 10% GST applies to many low-value goods; OutletCity collects GST at checkout for consignments ≤ AUD 1,000 (where required).
New Zealand: 15% GST applied at import on consignments ≤ NZD 1,000; duty on leather handbags generally ≈ 5% above thresholds.
7) Middle East (GCC)
| Country | VAT | Typical customs duty |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | 5% | ~5% on many fashion items |
| Saudi Arabia | 15% | 5% duty + 15% VAT (VAT calculated on CIF + duty) |
8) Asia-Pacific highlights
| Country | Consumption tax / VAT | Typical duty on handbags |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 10% | 0–3.6% under UK–Japan preferential rules (if origin qualifies) |
| Singapore | 9% GST (Jan 2025) | Duty-free, but GST on CIF value |
Former-USSR destinations — quick cheat-sheet
| Country | Standard VAT / GST | Typical customs duty on HS 4202 (handbags) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | 20% | ~12.5% (leather) — EAEU tariff | UK-origin usually does not grant duty relief. |
| Belarus | 20% | 12.5% (EAEU) | Paperwork/origin rules similar to Russia. |
| Kazakhstan | 16% (from 1 Jul 2025) | 12.5% (EAEU) | VAT rate change — check invoice details. |
| Armenia, Kyrgyzstan | 20% / 12% | 12.5% (EAEU) | EAEU tariff applies. |
| Ukraine | 20% | ~10% MFN (leather) | No de-minimis — VAT & duty apply from €0. |
| Georgia | 18% | 0% for most consumer goods | DCFTA keeps many tariffs very low. |
| Moldova | 20% | ~5% typical | VAT collected on CIF + duty. |
| Uzbekistan / Tajikistan / Turkmenistan | 12–15% (varies) | 5–15% typical | Rates and rules in flux — double-check. |
Note: Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) follow the EU schedule listed earlier.
How customs normally calculates what you pay
Customs value (CIF) — invoice price + shipping + insurance (unless your country uses a different base).
Duty — percentage of CIF depending on HS code & origin.
Tax (VAT / GST) — applied to (CIF + duty).
Handling / clearance fees — many couriers add an admin fee (commonly ~€5–€15 or local equivalent).
How we minimise surprises
We declare the exact price paid and use HS 4202.21 on customs paperwork.
Your tracking link will show when a parcel is Held at Customs — follow the courier’s instructions to pay online to avoid delays.
If you refuse duties/taxes and the parcel is returned, outbound and return shipping costs will be deducted from any refund.
Need help estimating landed cost?
If you’re unsure about duties or taxes for your destination, email [email protected] with the product, invoice price and destination country — our team can help estimate the landed cost before you order.
Legal & timing note: Figures above are best-effort snapshots (information as of 13 June 2025). Tax, tariff, and de-minimis rules change frequently — OutletCity cannot guarantee future tax or tariff changes. Always consult your local customs authority for definitive, up-to-date advice.
Former‑USSR Destinations — Duties & Taxes Cheat Sheet
| Country | Standard VAT / GST | Typical Customs Duty on HS 4202 “Handbags” | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | 20 % avalara.com | 12.5 % if leather (10 % for other materials) — EAEU common tariff ifcg.ru | UK‑origin goods do not get duty relief; only EAEU members share preferences. |
| Belarus | 20 % tradeclub.standardbank.com | 12.5 % (EAEU) ifcg.ru | Same paperwork and origin‑proof rules as Russia. |
| Kazakhstan | 16 % from 1 Jul 2025 (was 12 %) revera.legal | 12.5 % (EAEU) ifcg.ru | New VAT rate already enacted; make sure your invoice shows it. |
| Armenia | 20 % taxsummaries.pwc.com | 12.5 % (EAEU) ifcg.ru | |
| Kyrgyzstan | 12 % taxsummaries.pwc.com | 12.5 % (EAEU) ifcg.ru | |
| Ukraine | 20 % taxsummaries.pwc.com | 10 % MFN leather‑bag duty kanzei.or.jp | No de‑minimis: duty & VAT apply from €0. |
| Georgia | 18 % trade.gov | 0 % for most consumer goods; some lines 5 % or 12 % (handbags usually 0 %) | DCFTA keeps tariffs very low. |
| Moldova | 20 % trade.gov.md | Tariff bands 0 % / 5 % / 15 % — handbags generally 5 % trade.gov | VAT collected on CIF + duty. |
| Azerbaijan | 18 % taxsummaries.pwc.com | 0 %, 5 % or 15 % (leather bags sit at the top band) wto.az | Duty waived only for FTA partners named in Cabinet Decision 500. |
| Uzbekistan | 12 % taxsummaries.pwc.com | Draft 2025 schedule keeps most consumer goods 5 %–10 % (CabMin Res 55) lex.uz | Rates may change when Resolution 55 enters force (expected May 2025). |
| Tajikistan | 14 % (drops to 13 % in 2027) vatcalc.com | WTO‑aligned band 0 %–15 %; leather bags commonly 10 % trade.gov | |
| Turkmenistan | 15 % trade.gov | No formal tariff grid; consumer/luxury goods often 15 %–25 % trade.gov | Excise supplements some fashion items. |
Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) follow the EU schedule already listed earlier: 22 % | 0 % duty on qualifying UK‑origin goods.
How to read this table
VAT is charged on the customs value plus any duty.
EAEU countries (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan) share one tariff; origin proof (UK → GBR) does not grant zero duty.
Stated duties apply to HS 4202 21 (leather handbags); textile or plastic surfaces may fall under HS 4202 22 at slightly lower rates.
Figures are “best‑effort” snapshots for 13 June 2025; customs services can update rates without notice — always double‑check just before shipping.
Need a landed‑cost calculator, or help prepping EAEU certificates of conformity? Let me know — I can whip up step‑by‑step guides or templates tailored to your shipments.