Customs, declared.
Eleven countries. One ledger.
Every country sets a de minimis threshold — the package value below which no duty is charged. Some are generous (the US sits at $800, Australia at $1,000). Some are brutal (Canada postal: $15, UAE: $82, Brazil: $50). This page maps the eleven destinations we ship to most — and the actual rules, not the version your forwarder hopes you'll trust.
Eleven countries, ranked by how much you can ship before customs gets interested.
Below the threshold: no duty, no VAT, fast clearance. Above: duty applies, paperwork tightens, clearance slows. Every country guide below covers the exact rates, common holds, and tips for staying clean.
Updated 2026-Q2 · official sourcesEleven country customs guides.
Each guide walks through the de minimis threshold, VAT and duty rates, typical clearance time, common reasons packages get held, and how to declare values that get through cleanly.
How customs actually works.
Every package crossing a border into your country gets evaluated by a customs officer (or, increasingly, an algorithm) against three things: declared value, HS code (Harmonized System product classification), and destination address. The result is one of three outcomes.
Outcome 01 · Cleared
- Declared value below your country's de minimis threshold — no duty, no VAT.
- HS code accepted; product classification matches description.
- Address valid; carrier handoff smooth.
- Typical clearance time: minutes to hours.
- The vast majority of low-value Selectido shipments end up here.
Outcome 02 · Duty applied
- Value above the de minimis threshold — duty + VAT calculated.
- If DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): we prepay duty at shipment; you receive without paying again.
- If DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): carrier collects duty from you on delivery — sometimes plus a processing fee ($15–30).
- Typical clearance time: 1–4 business days.
- Selectido defaults to DDP where supported (DHL, FedEx, UPS in most countries).
Outcome 03 · Held for inspection
- Reason: declared value looks suspicious, HS code mismatch, restricted category, or random audit.
- You'll receive a notice asking for invoice, purpose, or supporting docs.
- Typical hold time: 3–14 days; some categories (electronics, formula, supplements) longer.
- Selectido handles the document submission on your behalf — see our customs hold release playbook.
DDP vs DDU — which do you want?
Most international shipments give you a choice between paying duty up front (DDP) or on delivery (DDU). The right answer depends on the country and the value.
The "under-declare to skip duty" trick: we won't do it.
You'll see this advice all over Reddit and YouTube: declare your $400 package as $30 to dodge duty. We won't do that — not because we're saints, but because the math actually works against you.
- Risk 01 · Insurance. A package declared at $30 is insured at $30. If lost or damaged, that's all you recover.
- Risk 02 · Confiscation. Random customs audits catch under-declaration constantly. The package gets seized — you lose the item AND pay a fine.
- Risk 03 · Account flag. Repeat under-declarations get the recipient's address flagged. Future packages auto-route to physical inspection.
- Risk 04 · Criminal. Customs fraud is a crime in most countries. The forwarder (us) goes down with the recipient (you).
What we will do: declare accurately, choose the most favorable legitimate HS code, route through carriers that handle DDP well, and tell you the expected duty before you confirm the shipment. The calculator gives you a rough estimate of duty by country.
The ones we get most.
What's a de minimis threshold and why does it matter?
The declared package value below which no duty or import tax is charged. The US sits high ($800). Australia is the highest ($1,000 AUD). Most of Europe is mid-range (£135 / €150). LATAM and Canada are brutal ($50 Brazil, $50 Mexico, CAD 20 Canada postal). Below the threshold = no duty, fast clearance. Above = duty applies, paperwork tightens.
What's the difference between DDP and DDU?
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): we prepay the duty at shipment; package arrives, no surprise charges. DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): the carrier collects duty from you on delivery — usually plus a processing fee ($15–30). For most countries we default to DDP via DHL/FedEx/UPS because the processing fees alone often exceed the duty.
Why did my package get held?
Five common reasons: (1) declared value triggered an audit threshold, (2) HS code didn't match the actual contents, (3) restricted category for your country (cosmetics, formula, supplements vary), (4) random selection, (5) recipient address flagged from previous shipments. We have a customs hold release playbook that walks through the resolution path.
Can you ship without a declared value?
No. All international shipments require a customs declaration with item description, value, and HS code. Carriers reject undeclared shipments at intake.
How accurate are the duty estimates in the calculator?
Rough — within 15–20% for most routes. Actual duty depends on the exact HS code applied at clearance, current tariff schedules (which change), specific carrier processing fees, and any seasonal customs adjustments. We over-estimate slightly so you don't get surprised. Run a quote to see the range for your route.
What if I'm a returning resident or have a duty-free allowance?
Most countries have duty-free allowances for returning residents (Mexico's franquicia, Brazil's franquia, Saudi Arabia's personal allowance). These usually require you to be physically present at customs — they don't apply to forwarded shipments. The country guides below cover any specific allowances that DO apply to package shipments.
Are these thresholds current?
Updated 2026-Q2 based on official customs authority sources. Thresholds change occasionally — Brazil and Canada have been actively debating raising theirs. The country guides below carry the dated sources for each figure.