Customers outside the UK will normally be contacted by customs for import/ customs clearance.  Therefore if you are based outside the UK please ensure that you are contactable on the telephone number you provided.

 

For Books:

UK – For customers in the UK all books are zero-rated, so have no VAT (sales tax) applied.

We also understand that book orders sent to private individuals in the following countries should not incur duty or sales tax;
United States – all book orders are duty/tax free
Australia – single standard books are duty/tax free
Hong Kong – single standard books are duty/tax free
New Zealand – single standard books are duty/tax free
Singapore – single standard books are duty/tax free

EU – For customers based in the EU there will not be any export VAT to pay, but local import tax and duties will be payable by the recipient to customs depending on the destination country (read about local EU VAT rates here). For customers in Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden we are now offering to include PRE-PAID DUTIES AND TAXES.  Please see bottom of page for more information.

We also ship books regularly without complications to Canada, South America, the Far East and other international destinations. In most cases local import tax and duties will be payable by the recipient to customs depending on the destination country. For further information and guidance about other international VAT rates and duties please refer to the following websites;
International duty calculator; www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/ (*use HS Code 49019900 for Printed books)
International sales tax rates; https://www.avalara.com/vatlive/en/vat-rates/international-vat-and-gst-rates.html

 

For Artworks:

UK – For customers in the UK artworks have standard 20% VAT (sales tax) applied.

US – For customers based in the US there will not be any export VAT to pay, but the customer is responsible for any import tax and duties applicable.  However, the import process is normally very quick and our customers do not normally have to pay import taxes or duties (imports valued under $800 are duty free in the US). Customers are normally asked by customs to fill out CBP form 5106 or confirm their tax status verbally with the courier.

EU – For customers based in the EU there will not be any export VAT to pay, but local import tax and duties will be payable to customs depending on the destination country. We offer to collect PRE-PAID DUTIES AND TAXES for artworks sent to certain EU destinations.  Please see bottom of page for more information.

We also ship artworks regularly without complications to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and other international destinations. For further information and guidance about other shipping destinations please refer to the following websites;
International duty calculator; www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/ (*use HS Code 4911910090 for Photographs, prints, limited editions)
International sales tax rates; https://www.avalara.com/vatlive/en/vat-rates/international-vat-and-gst-rates.html

 

Pre-Paid Duties and Taxes for EU customers:

Since 1st July 2021 we have experienced customs delays when sending books and artworks to some EU destinations.  Therefore we are starting to pay the import duties, taxes and handling charges* for some EU-based customers (this service is not available for all products or destinations).

Our pre-paid charge is an estimate based on the customer’s local VAT rate, with a ‘price-promise’ guarantee.  If we discover that the import charges cost less we will happily refund the difference. Please use the shipping calculator on the basket page to see whether duties and taxes will be pre-paid.

*sometimes the courier will still charge the recipient a small handling fee

Please note that if you are a business residing in an EU member state, pre-paid import taxes are not recoverable. If you are an EU business and prefer to pay import VAT upon receipt of shipment please email [email protected] to place an order via email.

For information about local VAT rates please visit https://www.avalara.com/vatlive/en/vat-rates/european-vat-rates.html.

 

We do not claim to be financial, legal or customs experts.  This guidance is for information use only and may be subject to change without notice. Therefore please check with your local tax office wherever possible to check whether import duties will apply. If duty or sales tax is applicable we will endeavour to give the customer prior notification, but the customer is still responsible for all customs and import charges (as stated in out terms and conditions here). We reserve the right to refuse a return if a customer refuses to pay the import charges.

(Last updated: September 2023)