Why is there an EU fee?

From 1 July 2026, every parcel entering the EU needs to clear customs, which means import duty and VAT are due before it can be delivered. Rather than have your parcel held up, or have the courier ask you for extra money at the door, we work this out now and add it to your order total.

That means once you've paid at checkout, you're done. There's nothing more to pay when your order arrives.

This fee covers the EU import duty, VAT at your country's rate, and (in a few countries) a small handling fee charged by the courier. We charge what it actually costs us to get your order to you, nothing more.

Why is there a handling fee?

Royal Mail isn't currently able to offer prepaid customs clearance (PDDP) for deliveries to your country. This fee covers Royal Mail's own charge to us for preparing and sending your parcel with the correct customs paperwork.

It does not include import duty or VAT. Your country's customs authority may separately contact you, or ask the courier to collect payment, before your parcel can be released to you. That charge is paid directly to them, not to us, and we're not able to estimate it in advance.