Ordering Gifts From Overseas Sites: Customs Fees and Tariff Charges to Expect

That sweater from a small shop in Europe or the gadget from an overseas marketplace may cost more than the checkout page shows. Since 2026, fewer low-value packages enter the United States without import charges, and the extra costs can show up at checkout, in a separate bill or as a fee from the carrier before delivery.

If you plan to order gifts from overseas sites this holiday season, here is what has changed, what charges to expect and how to avoid surprises.

The de minimis rule has been suspended

For years, the United States allowed most imported shipments worth $800 or less to enter without paying duties or taxes under what is known as the de minimis exemption. That made it easy and inexpensive to order small items directly from foreign sellers.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the de minimis exemption has been indefinitely suspended for shipments valued at $800 or less, for both postal and non-postal shipments. CBP says all applicable duties, taxes and fees must now be paid on these shipments.

In June 2026, CBP published a rule creating a new informal entry process for mail shipments valued at $2,500 or less. The rule took effect July 24, 2026. CBP has since extended certain compliance dates into January 2027 for some types of mail shipments, so the process is still settling in.

What charges you might see

The main charge is customs duty. The rate depends on what the item is, where it was made and its value. Tariffs on certain goods and countries can raise the duty significantly, and rates can change during the year.

You may also see brokerage or processing fees. Express carriers often charge a fee for handling customs clearance on your behalf. Postal services and some carriers may also charge handling fees. These fees vary by carrier and are separate from the duty itself.

Some sellers include duties and fees in the checkout price, often called delivered duty paid. Others leave them for you to pay on delivery. Read the shipping terms carefully before you buy.

Who collects the charges

If the seller handles duties at checkout, you pay one total price and usually do not see a separate bill later. Many large international marketplaces and retailers now offer this option for US customers.

If the seller does not, the carrier usually contacts you before delivery to collect duties and fees. With express carriers, this may be an email or text with a payment link. With postal shipments, you may need to pay before the package is released.

Be cautious with payment requests. Scammers send fake delivery fee texts that look like carrier messages. Go directly to the carrier's official website or app and enter your tracking number rather than clicking a link. Our separate guide on fake package delivery texts covers the warning signs.

Gifts sent by people abroad

There is a separate rule for genuine gifts sent by someone abroad to someone in the United States. CBP's rulemaking says the suspension does not affect the exemption for bona fide gifts. Traditionally, gifts worth up to $100 sent from one person to another have qualified for duty-free entry.

This exemption covers personal gifts sent by friends or family, not items you buy from a store and have shipped to yourself or a relative. Marking a purchase as a gift does not make it one, and mislabeling packages can cause delays or penalties.

If relatives abroad plan to send gifts, encourage them to describe the contents accurately on the customs form and include the value. Rules on gifts can change, so check CBP's website for current guidance.

How to estimate the total cost

Before you order, look for the seller's shipping and duties information. Many sellers state whether duties are included and give an estimate at checkout.

If the seller does not provide an estimate, you can look up general duty rates on the US International Trade Commission's Harmonized Tariff Schedule search, though finding the right classification can be tricky. Add any carrier fees, which are usually listed on the carrier's website.

Compare the total landed cost with the price of a similar item from a US seller. For many small, inexpensive items, a domestic option may now be cheaper once duties and fees are included.

Shipping times and holiday deadlines

Customs processing can add time to international shipments, especially during the holiday rush. Order earlier than you would for a domestic purchase.

Check the seller's stated shipping times and any holiday cutoff dates. Some sellers post separate deadlines for US customers. Choose tracked shipping so you can see when a package clears customs.

If a package is held, the carrier usually contacts you. Respond quickly to avoid storage fees or returns to the sender.

Returns can be expensive

Returning items to overseas sellers can be costly and slow. You may pay international return shipping, and you may not get duties and fees refunded.

Read the seller's return policy before you buy. Some international sellers offer free returns to a US address, while others require you to ship the item back overseas.

For gifts, consider including a gift receipt and telling the recipient about the return process. Or choose sellers with US warehouses or easy return policies.

A quick checklist before you buy

Check whether the seller includes duties and taxes in the checkout price. Look for words such as duties included or delivered duty paid.

Find out which carrier will deliver the package and whether it charges a brokerage or handling fee. Estimate the total cost, including shipping, duties and fees.

Compare with domestic options, order early and keep your receipts and tracking information. If you are not sure about a charge, contact the seller or carrier through their official channels before paying.

Watch for fake customs fee messages

Because duties are now common on small packages, scammers have more opportunities to send fake customs or delivery fee messages. These texts or emails often claim a package is held and ask for a small payment through a link.

Real carriers may ask you to pay duties, but you can confirm by visiting the carrier's website directly and entering your tracking number. If there is no tracking number, or the message comes from an unfamiliar sender, do not pay. Report suspicious messages to the carrier and the Federal Trade Commission.

Consider gift cards or digital gifts

If an overseas seller offers digital products, gift cards or experiences, they may avoid customs charges entirely. For a relative who loves a foreign brand, a gift card to its US store or a digital subscription can be simpler than shipping physical goods.

A worked example before you click buy

Say you find a wool scarf on a European shop's site. The page shows the item price and international shipping, with a note that duties are not included. Before you buy, check three things: whether the shop offers a duties-included option for US orders, which carrier it uses, and that carrier's posted fee for customs clearance.

If the shop offers duties included, compare that total with a similar scarf from a US seller. If it does not, expect a separate request from the carrier before delivery, and be ready to pay it through the carrier's official site. If the extra steps or unknown charges feel like too much, a gift card to the brand's US store may be the simpler gift.

The bottom line on overseas gifts

Ordering from overseas sites is still possible and can be a good way to find unique gifts. But the days of nearly fee-free small packages are over for now, at least for most purchases.

Budget for extra costs, choose sellers that are clear about duties and give yourself extra time. With a little planning, you can avoid surprise bills and still find something special.