Customs duties & import charges: information for international customers

When you buy a Jess Wheeler Studio piece from outside the United Kingdom, your order may be subject to import duties, taxes, or handling fees when it arrives in your country. These charges are set by your local customs authority, not by us, and will vary depending on where you live and what you’ve ordered.

We want this process to feel as transparent and stress-free as possible, so here’s what to expect.

How customs charges work

Most countries charge some combination of:

• Import duty (a percentage based on the item’s material category)

• VAT / Sales Tax (charged at your country’s standard rate)

• Customs processing fees (small administrative charges applied by national customs or couriers such as DHL or FedEx)

These fees are typically collected before delivery by the courier once your parcel arrives in its destination country.

Who pays these charges?

Unless otherwise stated at checkout:

• The buyer is responsible for all import duties, taxes, and local fees.

• Jess Wheeler Studio does not collect these charges in advance.

• We cannot adjust or falsify customs declarations.

Your courier will contact you with any amount due and a link or method for payment. Once payment is complete, your order will be released for delivery.

What will the charges be?

As a rough rule of thumb, you should expect to pay customs fees and charges in the region of 15 to 20% of the value of your purchase plus a £15 carrier handling charge. The exact amount depends entirely on your country’s regulations.

Here’s a rough breakdown of those costs:

• EU: Expect to pay VAT - usually around 20% of the shipment value.

• United States:

  • From August 2025, all imports from the UK to the US attract a 10% ‘reciprocal tariff’. There is also no longer a duty-free exception for orders under $800 USD, and all orders may incur customs duty (rate varies from 0% to about 10% depending on product category - see HS codes below).

  • Sometimes a Merchandise Processing Fee which is usually less then $3 USD for shipments valued under $2500 USD. For shipments over $2500USD, the fee is closer to $40 USD.

• Australia, Canada & others: Duty-free thresholds vary; VAT/GST is often collected at the border.

Handling fees: Note that all international carriers — including DHL who handle most of our international shipments — charge handling fees where a shipment undergoes customs clearance. Fees range from around £10 to £20 per shipment.

If you’d like an estimate in advance, get in touch and we can help you identify the correct customs category (HS code) for your piece so you can check your country’s rates.

How we support smooth customs clearance

To minimise delays, all shipments include:

• Accurate and detailed customs descriptions

• Correct HS codes for each product

• Country-of-origin declarations, when necessary

• A commercial invoice compliant with international standards

If the courier or customs authority requires additional information, we’re always happy to assist.

If you refuse or delay payment of duties

If customs fees are not paid and the parcel is returned to us:

• We can refund the product cost once it arrives back safely

• Shipping costs are non-refundable

• Any return charges imposed by the courier may be deducted from the refund

Have questions?

If you’re unsure what to expect for your location, or need help understanding customs categories for one of our pieces, please email us at studio@jesswheeler.com. We’re always happy to guide international customers through the process.