Estimate customs duty and import VAT for goods imported into the European Union. Free, instant, no registration required.
CARVO is a shipment management platform built for small and medium European importers — helping teams track shipments, manage supplier documents, and stay on top of customs deadlines.
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Important disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates based on EU Most Favoured Nation (MFN) duty rates. Actual duty may differ due to: preferential rates under free trade agreements, anti-dumping duties on specific products from specific countries, product-specific measures at the 8 or 10-digit TARIC code level, or customs valuation adjustments.
For binding duty information, consult the official TARIC database or your customs broker.
How EU customs duty is calculated
When goods enter the European Union from a non-EU country, customs duty is charged based on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of the shipment. The CIF value represents the total cost of the goods at the EU port of entry, including the purchase price, international shipping costs, and cargo insurance.
Each product is classified under the Harmonised System (HS) using a six-digit code that determines the applicable duty rate. For most goods, the duty is calculated as a percentage of the CIF value (known as an ad valorem duty). For example, if a product has a 6.5% duty rate and the CIF value is €10,000, the customs duty would be €650.
Import VAT is then calculated on the combined total of the CIF value plus the customs duty. This means the VAT base is higher than the goods value alone. While import VAT is typically reclaimable by VAT-registered businesses, customs duty is a non-recoverable cost that directly affects your profit margin.
What is an HS code?
The Harmonised System (HS) is an internationally standardised system of names and numbers used to classify traded products. Maintained by the World Customs Organization, it is used by more than 200 countries as the basis for customs tariffs and trade statistics.
An HS code has at least six digits. The first two digits identify the chapter (broad product category, such as "Chapter 62: Articles of apparel, not knitted"). The next two digits narrow the heading, and the final two digits specify the subheading. In the EU, the Combined Nomenclature extends HS codes to eight digits, and the TARIC system adds two more for specific trade measures — but the six-digit level is sufficient for estimating MFN duty rates.
Frequently asked questions
Multiply your CIF value (goods cost + insurance + freight) by the applicable duty rate for your product's HS code. This calculator does that automatically — enter your HS code, CIF value, and destination country to get an estimate of both customs duty and import VAT.
The EU applies different rates to different products, so there is no single average. Rates range from 0% (many raw materials, electronics components) to over 15% for some textiles, footwear, and agricultural products. The EU's trade-weighted average is roughly 5%, but your actual rate depends entirely on the product's HS code classification.
No, customs duty and import VAT are separate charges. Customs duty is calculated on the CIF value of the goods, while import VAT is calculated on the CIF value plus the duty amount. VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim import VAT through their regular VAT return, but customs duty is a non-recoverable cost.
Yes, since 1 January 2021 the UK is treated as a non-EU country for customs purposes. Goods imported from the UK into the EU are subject to customs duty at the applicable MFN rate unless the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) preferential rate applies. To qualify for the TCA zero-rate, goods must meet the relevant rules of origin and be accompanied by a statement of origin.
Use the search bar above to find codes by keyword or browse by chapter. For the most accurate classification, consult the official TARIC database or ask your customs broker. Misclassification can result in incorrect duty payments and potential penalties, so it is important to use the right code at the 8 or 10-digit level for your customs declaration.
Yes, many goods enter the EU at 0% MFN duty. These include most raw materials, certain chemicals, electronic components, medical instruments, and products covered by the Information Technology Agreement. Use this calculator to check the rate for your specific HS code.
Customs duty is a tariff charged on goods entering the EU, based on the product classification and origin country. It is a cost to the business. Import VAT is a consumption tax charged on the value of goods plus duty, at the destination country's standard VAT rate. For VAT-registered businesses, import VAT is recoverable through VAT returns — customs duty is not.
Potentially, yes. The EU has free trade agreements with many countries that offer reduced or zero duty rates for qualifying goods. You may also benefit from customs duty suspensions, tariff quotas, or inward processing relief. Speak with a customs broker or consult the TARIC database for applicable preferential rates.
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