Taxes & Customs

 

Shipments from South Korea to the EU

Since 2011, they have benefited from a free trade agreement
that eliminates almost all customs duties (99%) for originating products,
subject to a declaration of origin.

However, VAT (usually 22% in Italy) is always payable, along
with the courier's customs clearance charges, especially if the intrinsic value
exceeds €150.

Here are the main details:

Customs Duties: Thanks to the EU-Korea agreement, most goods
are duty-free. In the absence of a certificate of origin, duties vary between 0
and 20%.

VAT and Charges:

Under €150: VAT due (depending on the EU country), generally
no duties.

Over €150: Duties (unless exempt), VAT (on the value of the
goods + shipping + duty), and courier handling charges apply.

 

 

Shipments from South Korea to the United Kingdom (UK)

are subject to VAT and potential customs duties. VAT is
usually payable on almost all goods, with exemptions only for gifts between
private individuals under £39. Customs duties apply to goods valued at over
£135, with rates varying depending on the product code (often between 0-20%).

Key points for shipments from South Korea to the UK:

VAT: Applied to almost all imported goods, calculated on the
value of the goods plus shipping and insurance.

Customs duties: Above £135, a rate is applied (often 2.5% up
to £630, or higher depending on the product).

Free Trade Agreement: The EU-South Korea agreement has
removed duties on many products (electronics, cars, etc.), but it is necessary
to check whether the UK applies the same conditions post-Brexit.

Customs Clearance Fees: The courier charges fees for
handling customs paperwork, which are added to duties and VAT.

Shipments from South Korea to the US:

They are subject to higher customs duties and the end of the
“de minimis” regime (which exempted goods under $800), with tariffs of up to
25% or more on many products, including e-commerce items. Taxes are based on
value, including shipping costs, and payment is usually the responsibility of
the importer.

Here are the main details:

End of “De Minimis”: Shipments are no longer tax-exempt;
every commercial shipment is subject to duties, regardless of value.

Tariff Increase: US President Donald Trump has announced a
tariff increase to 25% RSI on several South Korean goods starting in January
2026.

Tariff Calculation: The calculation is based on the CIF
(cost, insurance, and freight) value and the product code (TARIC). Rates may
vary and include a base duty of 10% plus additional fees SpedireSubito.com.

 

Customs duties and taxes may be charged directly by
the express courier or post office. Glamful-Beauty.com does not charge any
import duties on goods.

 

 

Shipments FROM THE US to the EU

Customs duties

  • Applied
    only if the value of the package (goods + shipping) exceeds €150.
  • The
    percentage varies depending on the product category (e.g., clothing ~12%,
    electronics ~0–5%, jewelry up to 4% or more).
  • Calculated
    on the declared value + shipping cost + any insurance.

 

VAT (Value Added Tax)

  • Always
    payable on all purchases imported into the EU, with no minimum threshold.
  • The
    rate is that of the EU country of destination (e.g., Italy 22%, France
    20%, Germany 19%).
  • Normally
    paid to the courier or customs service, or already collected by the seller
    if they participate in the IOSS (Import One Stop Shop) system.

Customs clearance fees

  • Couriers
    such as DHL, FedEx, or Poste Italiane charge an administrative fee to
    process the paperwork (usually €5–20).
  •  

 

Shipments FROM the EU to the US

No European VAT

  • Exported
    items are not subject to EU VAT, but the seller must have proof of
    shipment outside the Union.

US duties and taxes

  • In
    the United States, purchases valued at less than $800 (de minimis
    threshold) are exempt from duties and taxes.
  • Above
    that threshold, customs duties vary depending on the type of product
    (determined by the HTS Code – Harmonized Tariff Schedule).
  • Rates
    vary from 0% (many electronic devices) to 30% (certain clothing or
    footwear).
  • Some
    US states may also apply sales tax upon delivery (depending on the state).

 

Customs duties and taxes may be charged directly by
the express courier or post office. Glamful-Beauty.com does not charge any
import duties on goods.

 

 

Shipments:

All shipping costs are calculated automatically at
checkout.

 

For further information: info@glamful-beauty.com