One of the most common questions from AliExpress shoppers is whether they will be charged customs duties or import taxes on their orders. The answer depends on your country, the value of your order, and the type of product. This guide covers the rules for the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, and Australia — the five most common destinations for AliExpress orders.
The US has a de minimis threshold of $800 per shipment. This means individual packages valued at $800 or less enter the country duty-free and tax-free. Since most AliExpress orders fall well below this threshold, US shoppers rarely encounter customs charges. However, if you place many orders that arrive simultaneously, customs may choose to aggregate them for inspection, though this is uncommon for personal purchases.
Note: The $800 de minimis threshold applies to the declared value of the shipment, which is the price you paid for the item (not including shipping). Some sellers declare a lower value to help buyers avoid duties, but this is technically against customs regulations.
Since Brexit, the UK applies VAT (currently 20%) on all goods imported from outside the UK, regardless of value. For consignments valued at 135 GBP or less, VAT is collected at the point of sale (meaning AliExpress charges you VAT during checkout). For consignments over 135 GBP, customs duty may also apply, and you may be charged a Royal Mail or courier handling fee of 8-12 GBP.
As of July 2021, the EU eliminated the 22-euro VAT exemption for imports. All goods imported from outside the EU are now subject to VAT (typically 19-25% depending on the country). For most AliExpress orders, VAT is collected at checkout through the IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop) system. Orders over 150 euros may also incur customs duty, and the specific rate depends on the product category.
Canada has a de minimis threshold of CAD $20 for taxes and CAD $150 for duties. This means goods valued under CAD $20 are not charged GST/HST, and goods under CAD $150 are not charged customs duty. Goods above these thresholds may incur both GST/HST (5-15% depending on province) and customs duty (0-25% depending on product type). Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) determines the specific rate.
Australia applies GST (10%) on all imported goods regardless of value. For goods valued at AUD $1,000 or less, GST is collected at the point of sale by AliExpress. For goods over AUD $1,000, customs duty may also apply, and you will need to complete an import declaration.
If you receive an unexpected customs or duty charge, first verify that the charge is legitimate by checking your postal service or courier's tracking page. If the charge is correct but you believe the assessed value is wrong, you can challenge it by providing your AliExpress purchase receipt showing the actual amount paid. Contact your national customs authority for the specific appeal process.
For more practical shopping advice, see our shipping guide and our buyer protection guide.