Customs & Import Fees Guide - 2026

Castle Of Gifts products are made on demand in different production locations around the world. Whether customs charges may apply depends primarily on where a product is produced in relation to the customs region of your delivery destination.

A product made within your customs region will generally have a lower risk of import customs charges. A product entering your destination from outside your customs region may be subject to import VAT or GST, customs duties, customs-processing charges, brokerage fees or carrier handling fees.

To make this easier to understand before purchase, Castle Of Gifts uses customs information notices on product pages, in the cart and during checkout when a product is not available from a production location within the customs region associated with your delivery destination.

You can also use the Shipping From... page to find products that are available from production locations within your customs region.

This guide is provided for customer information only and is not legal, tax or customs advice. Customs rules can change. The final treatment of a parcel is determined by the relevant customs authority, carrier, postal operator or customs representative.

How the Castle Of Gifts customs notice system works

1. Your delivery country is matched to one of the customs regions used by Castle Of Gifts.

2. Each product is tagged according to the production regions where it can currently be made.

3. If the product is not available from within your customs region, a Customs Information notice can appear after you add it to the cart.

4. The cart checks all products in the order. If at least one product may be produced outside your customs region, the cart notice appears.

5. Checkout checks the destination again and updates the warning when the customer changes the delivery country.

6. The notice is informational. It does not calculate or collect customs charges.

Frequently asked questions

What is a customs region?

A customs region is an area in which goods can generally move under a shared customs framework without being treated as a normal import each time they cross an internal border. For Castle Of Gifts, this is more useful than simply comparing countries. For example, a product produced in Italy and delivered to Romania crosses a national border but remains within the European Union customs area.

What does the Customs Information notice mean?

It means that the selected product is not currently available from a production location inside the customs region associated with your delivery destination. Import VAT or GST, customs duty, customs-processing fees, brokerage or carrier handling charges may therefore apply depending on the actual shipment and local rules.

Will I definitely have to pay customs charges if I see the notice?

No. The notice identifies a customs risk, not a guaranteed charge. Whether a fee is actually due depends on factors such as the production location used for the order, destination rules, product classification, declared value, origin rules, tax collection method and carrier or postal procedures.

If I do not see a customs notice, does that guarantee there will be no import charges?

No. The absence of a notice means the product has a production option within your customs region according to the information currently available to Castle Of Gifts. Actual fulfilment can still depend on capacity, availability, routing and the production partner's system. The notice is therefore a risk-reduction tool rather than a customs guarantee.

Are customs charges included in the shipping price?

Not necessarily. Shipping pays for transportation of the parcel. Import VAT or GST, customs duty, customs-processing fees, brokerage, disbursement or carrier handling fees are separate unless checkout expressly states that a particular import charge has already been included or prepaid.

Who is responsible for customs charges?

Where import charges are not already collected or prepaid through the applicable sales or fulfilment arrangement, the recipient may be required to pay charges requested by the customs authority, postal operator, courier or customs representative before delivery or collection. Responsibility can vary by destination and tax scheme.

How will I know if payment is required?

The postal operator, courier, customs broker or customs authority may contact the recipient through the official tracking page, email, SMS, app, letter or collection notice. Always verify the request through an official carrier or customs channel before paying.

Can one order create more than one customs charge?

Yes. Castle Of Gifts orders can be split into separate parcels because products may be made by different production partners or in different locations. Customs authorities or carriers may assess each parcel separately.

Can Castle Of Gifts tell me the exact customs amount before I order?

Usually not. Import charges depend on rules controlled by the destination country or territory and can depend on the product classification, value, origin, shipping method and customs declaration. Castle Of Gifts can warn when a product may cross a customs border, but cannot guarantee the final amount assessed by a third party.

Can I refuse a parcel because customs fees are higher than expected?

You may be able to refuse a parcel, but this does not automatically create a right to a refund of shipping, customs charges or return costs. The consequences depend on the carrier, fulfilment partner and the Castle Of Gifts returns policy. Check the Returns information before refusing or abandoning a shipment.

Charges you may see on an international shipment

What to do when ordering

1. Check the Shipping section on the product page to see the production locations currently associated with the product.

2. Use the Shipping From... page if you want to prioritize products that can be made within your customs region.

3. After adding the product to your cart, check whether a Customs Information notice appears.

4. Review the cart and checkout notices before payment, especially if your order contains products from several production regions.

5. After dispatch, follow the official tracking link. If customs information or payment is required, use the carrier's or customs authority's official channel.

6. Keep your order confirmation and payment information available in case customs requests proof of purchase or value.

Region-specific guidance

European Union customers

When a product is produced within the EU and delivered to another destination within the EU customs area, normal import customs processing is generally avoided. Products entering the EU from outside the EU may be subject to import rules and ecommerce customs measures.

From 1 July 2026, the EU removed the previous customs-duty exemption for low-value ecommerce consignments up to EUR 150 and introduced a temporary EUR 3 customs-duty mechanism. Under the European Commission's guidance, the EUR 3 amount is applied per tariff item/category in the consignment rather than simply per physical piece, and the declarant or operator is normally responsible for the duty. The temporary mechanism is scheduled to apply until 1 July 2028.

EU customs reform also provides for a Union handling fee on small ecommerce parcels from 1 November 2026. The current amount and implementation details should be checked against official EU guidance because these measures can be updated.

Special European VAT and tax territories

Some European territories follow special VAT, tax or customs arrangements. For these destinations, local VAT, import taxes, customs-clearance fees or carrier handling charges may apply even where the production location is elsewhere in Europe. Castle Of Gifts therefore uses a general warning for these destinations rather than treating them exactly like a standard EU destination.

United Kingdom customers

Goods entering Great Britain from outside the UK can be subject to VAT and customs rules. For many online purchases worth GBP 135 or less, VAT is normally accounted for at the point of sale, while Customs Duty generally does not apply to non-excise goods at or below GBP 135. Above that value, Customs Duty and import VAT can be collected by the carrier or postal operator. Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies can have additional or different rules, so customers should follow the official guidance for their exact destination.

United States customers

Products produced within the United States generally avoid international import customs processing for delivery within the United States. Products entering the United States from abroad can be subject to applicable duties, taxes and processing fees.

The former general duty-free de minimis treatment for qualifying imports valued at USD 800 or less was suspended for shipments from all countries effective 29 August 2025. Customers receiving an international shipment should therefore not assume that a parcel is duty-free simply because its value is below USD 800.

Mainland China customers

Products produced within mainland China generally avoid international import customs processing for domestic delivery. Products entering mainland China from another customs territory may be subject to import taxes, customs declarations, recipient information requirements or carrier handling procedures. Exact treatment depends on the product and shipment.

South Korea customers

Products produced within South Korea generally avoid international import customs processing for domestic delivery. Imported ecommerce goods can require customs clearance and recipient identification. Korea Customs Service uses Personal Customs Clearance Codes for personal imports, including ecommerce goods, and foreign residents may also be required to use the applicable personal clearance code.

Australia customers

Products produced within Australia generally avoid international import customs processing for domestic delivery. For goods imported into Australia, GST and border charges depend on the value and type of goods and on how GST has been collected. Australian Border Force states that goods valued at AUD 1,000 or less generally do not attract duties, taxes or charges at the border, although GST can be collected by overseas sellers at the point of sale. Goods above AUD 1,000 can require an import declaration and payment of duties, taxes and charges.

Customers in other destinations

If your delivery destination is outside the Castle Of Gifts production regions listed above, the order may enter your destination as an international import. Import VAT or GST, customs duty, brokerage, customs-processing or carrier handling fees may apply depending on the destination, parcel value, product and actual production location.

For exact rates, thresholds, exemptions and documentation requirements, consult the customs authority or postal/courier service for your destination country or territory.

Products with several production locations

Some Castle Of Gifts products can be produced in several countries or regions. This can reduce customs risk because the fulfilment network may have a production option within your region. However, the exact production facility used for a particular order can depend on availability, capacity, routing and the production partner's fulfilment system.

For this reason, Castle Of Gifts uses the production locations currently available for the product to decide whether a customs warning should appear, but does not promise that a specific country will fulfil every order.

Orders with several products or parcels

An order may be split into two or more parcels. Products can be produced by different partners, in different countries or on different schedules. Separate parcels may therefore have different dispatch dates, carriers, tracking numbers and customs treatment.

If customs or carrier fees apply, they may be assessed separately for each parcel. Paying shipping at checkout does not guarantee that a customs authority or carrier will treat all parcels as one shipment.

Paying customs charges safely

Use the official carrier or postal tracking page whenever possible.

Check the domain, sender and tracking number before entering payment details.

Do not assume every SMS or email mentioning customs is genuine.

If unsure, open the carrier's website independently rather than following the message link.

Keep your order confirmation and invoice available in case proof of value is requested.

Contact the carrier directly if the payment request does not match your tracking information.

If a parcel is held, refused or returned

A parcel can be delayed or returned if required customs information, identification or payment is not supplied within the applicable deadline. Storage, return or handling charges can also arise.

If you receive a customs request that you do not understand, contact the carrier first. If the issue relates to the order information supplied by Castle Of Gifts, contact us with your order number and the carrier notice so that we can review the available information.

Do not refuse or abandon a shipment solely because a customs charge is unexpected without first checking the Returns policy. Customs, shipping and return costs charged by third parties are not automatically refundable by Castle Of Gifts.

Quick summary

Choose products with a production option inside your customs region whenever possible.

Check the Shipping section and the Shipping From... page before ordering.

A Customs Information notice means import charges are possible, not guaranteed.

No notice means a local/regional production option exists, not that customs can never apply.

Shipping charges and customs/import charges are different.

Orders can be split into separate parcels with separate customs treatment.

Use official carrier or customs channels for payment and documentation requests.

For exact legal rates and thresholds, use the official customs authority for your destination.

Customs notice used on Castle Of Gifts

For carts and checkout containing one or more affected products, use the same concept in plural form:

Disclaimer

Castle Of Gifts provides this guide and its customs notices to help customers understand when an order may cross a customs border. They are informational tools only. They do not constitute legal, tax or customs advice and do not guarantee the tax, duty or fee treatment of any shipment. Customs authorities, postal operators, couriers and other third parties may apply rules or charges that Castle Of Gifts does not control. Customers should consult the official authority for their destination when they need a definitive answer.