US Customs & Import Duties for European Packages: The 2026 Complete Guide

De Minimis — Important Nuances

What Are the Duty Rates on European Goods Above $800?

If your package is above $800, it requires formal customs entry and may be subject to duty. Key rates for common European import categories (2026 MFN rates, EU goods):

• Clothing and apparel: 12–27% depending on material and category. Wool garments attract higher rates than synthetics; children's clothing is lower.
• Footwear: 5–37.5%. The wide range reflects complex HTS classification — leather dress shoes are taxed differently from athletic shoes.
• Cosmetics and skincare: 0–6.5%. Most cosmetics clear at 0–3%. Sunscreens classified as OTC drugs are 0%.
• Electronics: 0% for most consumer electronics under the ITA (Information Technology Agreement). Cameras, phones, tablets, laptops — typically duty-free regardless of value.
• Toys and games: 0%. LEGO, board games, Ravensburger puzzles — all duty-free.
• Books: 0%.
• Kitchen appliances: 0–3.5%. Most small domestic appliances clear at a low rate.
• Cookware (Le Creuset, etc.): 0–3%.

The Informal Entry Threshold ($800–$2,500)

Between $800 and $2,500, CBP processes packages under "informal entry." You pay duty but the process is relatively streamlined — your carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL) acts as your customs broker and handles the entry on your behalf. You receive a bill for the duty amount before or upon delivery. Expect 1–3 additional business days for customs processing.

Formal Entry (Above $2,500)

Above $2,500, formal customs entry is required. This means engaging a licensed customs broker, submitting detailed documentation, and potentially waiting 3–10+ days for clearance. For personal shopping, this threshold is very rarely hit — it applies to high-value individual items like luxury watches, jewellery, or large electronics purchases.

Categories That Get Extra Scrutiny

Even below $800, certain product categories receive additional CBP attention:

• Food products. CBP and the FDA review food imports. Commercially packaged, shelf-stable European foods (vacuum-sealed jamón, packaged cheeses, olive oil, wine, spirits) generally clear for personal use. Fresh produce, dairy, and meat products are restricted. Declare food contents accurately on the customs form.
• Sunscreens with EU-only UV filters. Tinosorb and Mexoryl are classified as cosmetics in the EU but OTC drugs by the FDA. Personal-use quantities (a few bottles) generally clear without issue. Commercial quantities for resale may be detained.
• Prescription medications. Not recommended to import via package forwarding. Even personal-use quantities of prescription drugs require specific FDA import procedures.
• Plants and seeds. Regulated by USDA APHIS. Not recommended to import via forwarding.
• Counterfeit goods. CBP actively detains suspected counterfeits. Only buy from legitimate retailers — this is not an issue when buying from brand websites or El Corte Inglés, Zalando, ASOS, etc.

What Gets Declared on the Customs Form?

When Resendify ships your package, we complete the customs declaration (CN22 for packages under €300, CN23 for packages over €300 or packages requiring detailed declarations). We declare:

• Accurate description of contents (e.g., "Women's clothing — 3 items", "Electronic headphones x1")
• Accurate value in USD (we use the actual purchase price converted at current exchange rates)
• Country of origin (Spain, France, Germany, UK, etc.)
• Your name and address as the consignee

We never undervalue packages to evade customs. Undervaluation is customs fraud — it risks package seizure, fines, and flags your address for future scrutiny. Accurate declaration protects you.

How Long Does Customs Take?

For packages below $800 shipped via tracked international couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) or postal services (USPS with tracking), customs processing for EU packages typically takes:

• Under $800, low-risk categories: 1–4 hours automated clearance. No human review in the vast majority of cases.
• Under $800, flagged or food-containing: 1–3 additional business days if flagged for manual review.
• $800–$2,500, informal entry: 1–3 business days. Your carrier notifies you and handles paperwork.

The UK Post-Brexit Situation

A note for US buyers ordering from UK retailers post-Brexit: UK goods now fall under the same MFN tariff treatment as EU goods for most categories. The UK's own de minimis for outbound packages is £135 — there's no UK export tax on goods you buy from a UK retailer and forward to the USA. What matters is US import rules, which treat UK goods the same as EU goods.

Quick Reference: Will My Package Be Taxed?

• European clothing order, total value under $800 → No duty, clears automatically ✓
• French pharmacy skincare, under $800 → No duty ✓
• German camera, value €600 (~$650) → No duty (electronics are 0% under ITA) ✓
• LEGO set from Germany, any value → 0% duty ✓
• Zara clothing haul, total €900 (~$980) → Informal entry, 12–27% duty on the clothing value
• Thermomix (~€1,359) → Informal entry, ~3.5% duty on the declared value
• Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, vacuum-packed → No duty if under $800, may receive food inspection