Import Duties & Taxes

Clear information about customs charges for international orders from PLC-City.

Summary (at a glance)

Italy: Italian VAT applies to orders delivered within Italy / to Italian subjects.
European Union: Deliveries to EU countries are tax-free per our store policy.
Outside the EU: Local customs may charge import duties, taxes, and fees. These are not included in our prices and may be collected by the carrier before or at delivery. All our international shipments are sent under DAP (Delivered at Place).

Tip: You’ll also see reminders across the site (PDP tooltip, cart, checkout, order confirmation).

What are import duties, taxes, and fees?

When goods cross a border, the destination country’s customs authority may assess:

Import duties (tariffs) based on the product’s classification (HS code) and origin.
Import taxes such as VAT/GST/sales taxes charged locally.
Clearance or administration fees charged by carriers for handling customs processes and advancing payments.

HS codes are globally used product codes that help customs determine the applicable rates.

Who pays these charges?

All our international shipments are sent under DAP – Delivered at Place. Under DAP, the buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes, and clearance/administration fees in the destination country. The carrier may collect these amounts before or at delivery.

EU vs. non-EU deliveries

Inside the EU: Goods move within a single customs territory; there are no customs duties at internal EU borders. Per our policy, EU deliveries are tax-free.
Outside the EU: Your local customs may assess import duties, taxes, and fees. These are set by your customs authority and collected by the carrier if due.

Estimates on product & cart pages (coming soon)

We’re introducing an import charge estimate on the product page and in the cart. Estimates are provided by UPS using the product’s HS code and country of origin.

Disclaimer: These are non-binding estimates. The final amounts are determined by your local customs authority and may differ if classification, valuation, or other factors are applied differently. PLC-City does not control these decisions.

What’s included in our prices?

Included: product price and, where applicable, shipping cost.
Not included (DAP international shipments): import duties, local VAT/GST, and any carrier clearance/administration fees charged for handling customs.

Returns, refusals & undeliverable parcels

If you refuse to pay customs charges and the parcel is returned, we can refund the product price per our Returns Policy once the item arrives back in sellable condition.
Original shipping and any return customs/administration costs charged to us may be deducted from the refund.
If you already paid duties/taxes to your customs authority via the carrier, these amounts are generally not refundable by us. Check with your local customs about possible refunds.

FAQ

Will I always be charged duties & taxes outside the EU?

Not always. Charges may apply depending on your country’s rules, the product category, value, and origin. Decisions are made by your local customs authority.

What is an HS code and why does it matter?

The Harmonized System (HS) is a global product classification used by customs to determine duty/tax rates. Accurate HS codes help improve estimate accuracy and avoid delays.

Who collects these charges on DAP shipments?

On DAP, the receiver is responsible for import charges. The carrier (e.g., UPS) typically advances funds to customs and then collects the amount (plus any admin fee) from you before or at delivery.

Are EU deliveries ever charged customs duties?

No customs duties are charged at internal EU borders because the EU is a single customs territory. Per our policy, EU deliveries are tax-free.

Can I get an estimate now?

Until our on-site estimator is live, contact us with your delivery country and product list. You can also check UPS tools and your national customs guidance for indicative amounts.

Need help?

If you’re unsure about your country’s rules or need a pro-forma invoice for a pre-clearance estimate, contact our support team before ordering.