Customs rules and restrictions on parcels from abroad
When shopping internationally—on platforms like AliExpress or Ebay — you will inevitably encounter customs regulations, including duties, fees, and taxes based on the value of your purchase. Each country has its own customs threshold below which such charges do not apply.
Sellers on AliExpress often declare a slightly lower value on the parcel, which usually helps avoid customs scrutiny for low- to mid-value items. However, this practice is rarely used for high-value products like smartphones or laptops. In such cases, customs authorities may initiate a price evaluation to verify the declared amount.
A practical way to stay within duty-free limits is to split a large order from a single store into multiple smaller shipments, ensuring each one remains under the threshold. Naturally, this method does not apply to indivisible items.
Additionally, many AliExpress sellers now maintain local warehouses in the United States, European Union, Russia, and other regions. When ordering from these warehouses, buyers typically do not need to worry about customs regulations.
Below is a summary of the current customs thresholds in various countries. This information is regularly updated to reflect changes (the date of the latest update is shown).
Russia
Date of information update: 08.04.2025
The current rules apply from 01.04.2024.
The calculation is carried out on one package.
Parcels from abroad worth up to 200 EUR and weighing up to 31kg are subject to a duty of 15% on the amount exceeding 200 EUR, but not less than 2 EUR per 1kg of overweight + customs duty 250 RUB.
If the Goods are delivered to a branch of the Russian Post - the duty is paid upon receipt of the goods at the branch or online in the Russian Post app. Payment in the app will be more favorable, because when you pay directly at the branch, a 10% commission will be added to the amount of the duty.
If the goods are delivered to an outlet or courier, you will be contacted by a broker who will send you a link to pay the receipt. A broker is an intermediary who handles the customs clearance of your order.
Duty payment also applies to purchases from popular Chinese stores (particularly AliExpress and Joom).
Information was taken from this source.
Ukraine
Date of information update: 08.04.2025
The rules apply from: 30.04.2022.
The calculation of customs duties does not apply to parcels of less than 150 EUR.
In case of exceeding the limit of 150Euros, you need to pay VAT and Customs Duty on the amount of the exceeded limit.
The customs duty and tax are calculated using the formulas below:
Customs Duty: (Value of goods-150EUR) * 10%
VAT: (Value of goods-150EUR+Customs duty from the formula above)*20%.
Responsible for the calculation and payment of VAT, if the goods come to Ukraine through postal services will be postal operators.
Information was taken from this source.
Belarus
Date of information update: 08.04.2025
The rules apply from 01.04.2024.
It will be possible to import goods across the border of Belarus for personal use without paying customs duties:
-
totaling 500EUR and weighing 25 kg - by any type of land transport;
-
within the limit of 200EUR and not more than 31 kg in weight - in international mail or by carriers for individual recipients.
-
For personal goods delivered to Belarus by air, goods worth 10000EUR and weighing up to 50 kg are not subject to customs duty.
If any of the parameters is exceeded, customs duty will have to be paid. When importing goods as luggage, customs will charge a duty of 30% of the value, but not less than 4EUR per 1 kg. When receiving a parcel from abroad with goods over the limit - in the amount of 15% of its value, but not less than 2EUR per 1 kg.
Information was taken from here
Kazakhstan
Date of information update: 08.04.2025
The rules apply from 01.04.2024.
The duty-free limit is 200 EUR and 31kg for parcels from abroad.
Exceeding the limit is subject to a duty of 15% or 2 EUR for each kilogram of overweight. (the application of a fee or an excess is selected on the basis of what will be more profitable for the state)
Information was taken from here.
Czech Republic
Date of information update: 09.04.2024
The cost of the parcel for duty calculation is calculated taking into account shipping cost.
The calculation is carried out for each parcel separately.
The information below is valid for parcels arriving from outside the European Union.
Order from 22 to 150 EUR: 21% VAT must be paid.
Order over 150 EUR: VAT (21%) and customs duty (approximately 10-14%) must be paid.
Payment of duties and VAT is carried out through post or courier service upon receipt of the goods.
AliExpress: Final price of your order contains VAT! So no need to pay it another way.
if delivery is making from EU warehouse - neither VAT nor custom duty will be paid.
In order to pay customs duty (goods over 150EUR), could be used application eCep. Authorization is making using e-identity or "datovou schránku"
Information needed for customs duty payment:
-
order number by carrier
-
information about the sender - name, address, country of departure.
-
goods price and transportation cost
-
goods description
-
weight of goods
-
Number IOSS - only for e-shops purchases registered in the IOSS system.
IOSS numbers:
-
Aliexpress - IM5280002556
-
eBay: IM2760000742
-
Amazon UK: IM4420001201
-
Amazon EU: IM4420001201
-
Amazon US: IM4420001234
-
Amazon CA: IM4420001223
-
Amazon JP: IM4420001008
-
Discogs IOSS VAT ID: IM5280008075
Information was taken from here.
Poland
Date of information update: 09.04.2024
Calculation is carried out for each parcel separately.
The information below is valid for parcels arriving from outside the European Union.
In Poland, regardless of the amount of the order for parcels that arrive by mail, you need to pay 23% VAT!
Customs control is selective. The Polish post office (or courier service) assumes the acceptance of customs payments and payment of customs clearance services.
If an order is above 1000EUR, customer must declare and pay duties by himself.
Order over 150 EUR: it is necessary to pay VAT (23%) and customs duty.
Information was taken from here.
Germany
Date of information update: 09.042024
With a parcel value up to 150 EUR - VAT 7-19%
If the value exceeds 150 EUR - 7-19% VAT and customs duty has to be paid (duty differ from the type of goods)
Tax is paid on the full value of the goods.
The number of parcels is not limited.
In Germany, there are strict restrictions on the types of goods that can be purchased outside the EU (for example, obviously fake goods, household goods without a certificate of using in the EU, radio devices, etc.)
Information was taken from here.
USA
Date of information update: 09.04.2024
Customs duties do not apply to parcels up to 800 USD.
from 800 to 1800 - 4% flat rate. Over 1800 - special declaration and appraisal procedure applied.
You can read more details on the official website of the US Customs Service.
Additional Information:
-
The amount of VAT in different countries of the European Union used for purchases outside countries.
-
Armenia. (Updated 08.04.2025) Customs duty-free limits for parcels are 2 time less than in Kazakhstan (100EUR).
-
Kyrgyzstan. (Updated 08.04.2025) Customs duty-free limits for parcels are similar to Kazakhstan (see above).
-
Azerbaijan. (Updated 09.04.2024) Information about custom rules for Azerbaijan. Rules since 21 September 2020 - 1 parcel per month up to 300 USD is duty free limit. Second parcel or more than 300USD - 36% custom duty.
-
Georgia. (Updated 09.04.2024) 18% Vat for parcels above 300 GEL (1 parcel limit per month)
-
Uzbekistan. (Updated 09.04.2024) the duty free limit is 1000USD per quarter for all parcels including shipment cost, with 20% VAT for over this limit.
-
Moldova. (Updated 08.04.2025) The limit is 150 EUR, 1 parcel per day. 20% VAT above limit