Delivery
Buying Made-to-Measure Cushions from Abroad: Will I Pay Import VAT?
How import VAT, customs duty and courier fees work when UK shoppers buy from overseas, the £135 rule, and what DDP means for you.
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Quick answer: When you buy from an overseas shop, UK import VAT (20%) and sometimes customs duty apply. For parcels over £135 these are usually collected from you by the courier before delivery, plus a handling fee. Shops that ship "DDP" (delivered duty paid) pay all of this for you. Fabrica Kraft ships every UK order this way, so there is nothing to pay when your cushions or curtains arrive.
Ordering from a brand based outside the UK can feel like a gamble. Will the price at checkout be the price you pay, or will a courier text you for another £40 before handing over the parcel? Here is how import VAT and duty work for UK shoppers, in plain English, and what to check before you order from any overseas shop.
The £135 rule
Since 2021, the UK treats overseas online orders in two ways, depending on the value of the parcel (the "consignment"):
| Parcel value | Who handles VAT | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| £135 or less | The seller charges UK VAT at checkout | VAT should already be in the price. No customs duty. |
| Over £135 | Normal import rules apply at the border | Import VAT and any customs duty are usually collected from you before delivery, unless the seller has prepaid them. |
These rules are set out in GOV.UK's guide to tax and duty on goods sent from abroad and in HMRC's VAT manual. Northern Ireland has some different rules.
Made-to-measure cushions and curtains often come to more than £135, especially for a sofa set, a window seat or a pair of full-length curtains. So for most furnishing orders from abroad, the over-£135 rules are the ones that matter.
What you might be asked to pay
If an overseas order over £135 arrives without its taxes paid, three things can be added before delivery:
- Import VAT at 20%. This is worked out on the price of the goods plus postage, packaging and insurance, and it is charged on top of any duty.
- Customs duty. The rate depends on what the goods are and where they were made. Textiles such as curtains can attract a noticeable rate, so it is worth checking.
- A courier handling fee. Couriers charge for collecting the tax on HMRC's behalf. Royal Mail charges £8 and Parcelforce £12 (Royal Mail). DHL Express charges £11 or 2.5% of the duty and VAT, whichever is higher (DHL).
If the bill isn't paid, parcels are usually held for about three weeks and then sent back, according to GOV.UK.
A worked example
Say you order a set of cushions for £300 including delivery, and they arrive with nothing prepaid. Leaving duty aside for simplicity, import VAT at 20% adds £60. Add a £12 Parcelforce fee and you pay £72 at the door, nearly a quarter more than you expected. If duty applies, VAT is worked out on the price plus the duty, so the total goes up further.
DDP vs DAP: the two words to look for
Overseas shops usually ship in one of two ways:
- DAP (delivered at place): the shop delivers the parcel, but you handle customs and pay the duty, VAT and fees.
- DDP (delivered duty paid): the shop handles customs and pays the duty and VAT. DDP is the only shipping term that puts import clearance on the seller, as iContainers explains.
With DDP, the price you see at checkout is the price you pay. There is no surprise text from the courier, no handling fee and no parcel held at a depot.
How to check before you buy from any overseas shop
- Look on the shipping or FAQ page for "duties and taxes included", "DDP" or "no extra charges on delivery".
- Check whether prices are shown in pounds. Shops that price in GBP for the UK are more likely to have sorted out VAT.
- If it says "duties and taxes are the responsibility of the customer", expect to pay on delivery.
- If you're unsure, email the shop and ask: "Will I pay anything to the courier when my order arrives?"
What if you've already paid and want to return something?
If you paid import VAT and duty on goods you then send back, you may be able to claim it back. GOV.UK points to form BOR 286 for Royal Mail and Parcelforce, and form C285 for other couriers. It is worth knowing, but it is easier to avoid the charge in the first place.
How Fabrica Kraft handles UK orders
We ship every UK order delivered duty paid. That means:
- Prices in pounds, with free delivery across the UK.
- Import duty and VAT paid by us, so nothing is due when your order arrives.
- No courier handling fees and no parcel held for payment.
- UK-made foam: foam for UK orders is made and cut in the UK, so only the covers travel.
If a courier ever asks you to pay anything on a Fabrica Kraft parcel, don't pay it. Email care@fabricakraft.com with your order number and we'll sort it out with the carrier.
Every cushion is made to your measurements in centimetres, cut within 6 mm (maximum ±2.5 cm), and remade free if we miss that. Standard shapes take 2–3 weeks to make. Start with garden furniture cushions, indoor cushions in Warwick fabric or made-to-measure curtains, and see our warranty and fit guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay VAT on things I buy from the US?
Yes, UK VAT applies. For orders of £135 or less the seller should charge it at checkout. Above £135 it is usually collected on import, unless the seller ships duty paid.
Will I pay customs charges on a Fabrica Kraft order?
No. We ship UK orders duty paid, so import duty and VAT are covered and nothing is due on delivery.
Why did a courier charge me a fee on top of the VAT?
Couriers charge a handling fee for collecting tax for HMRC. Royal Mail charges £8 and Parcelforce £12.
What does DDP mean?
Delivered duty paid. The seller handles customs and pays the duty and taxes, so the buyer has nothing extra to pay.
