VAT Fees in EU

VAT on Shipments from the UK to the EU:

All shipments of goods sent from the United Kingdom (i.e., outside the European Union) to EU countries are treated by customs authorities as imports and may be subject to VAT in the recipient's country.

This means that:

• a package sent from the UK to an EU recipient is not always exempt from VAT,

• the customs authority in the recipient's country charges VAT according to the national rate applicable in that EU country,

• the recipient may be required to pay VAT and any applicable handling fees (e.g., customs processing fee) upon delivery of the package.

Below we present the standard VAT (Value Added Tax) rates in EU countries, which usually apply to the majority of imported goods.

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VAT rates in EU countries:

Austria – 20%

Belgium – 21%

Bulgaria – 20%

Croatia – 25%

Cyprus – 19%

Czech Republic – 21%

Denmark –

25%

Estonia – 24%

Finland – 25.5%

France – 20%

Germany – 19%

Greece – 24%

Hungary – 27%

Ireland – 23%

Italy – 22%

Latvia – 21%

Lithuania – 21%

Luxembourg – 17%

Malta – 18%

Netherlands – 21%

Poland – 23%

Portugal – 23%

Romania – 21%

Slovakia – 23%

Slovenia – 22%

Spain – 21%

Sweden – 25%

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Data source: current standard VAT rates in EU countries (as of early 2026).

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Note: Some countries also apply reduced VAT rates for specific goods and services (e.g., food, books, medicines, etc.), but the standard rate is generally applied for most imports.

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What this means for customers receiving shipments:

If you purchase goods from a UK seller and have them shipped to an EU country:

• the customs authority may charge VAT according to the rate applicable in your country,

• even if VAT was already included in the UK purchase price, import VAT is charged independently by the EU country,

• the recipient may be required to pay VAT and any customs handling fees before the package can be released.