The United States and the European Union share one of the largest trade corridors in the world. For B2B companies shipping transatlantic freight, understanding customs regulations and import duties is essential for a seamless logistics process. Whether you are exporting goods to America or shipping to the Netherlands from the US, proactive compliance prevents delays and unexpected costs.
Chantal has been writing about logistics topics for almost two decades and has worked for major international carriers.
When shipping commercial goods into the United States, your shipments are processed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Import duties are calculated based on the product's classification, its declared value, and its country of origin.
A critical factor for international shippers to consider is the shifting landscape of tax exemptions. As of August 2025, the $800 "De Minimis" exemption has been modified or removed for certain commercial shipments entering the US. This means that many B2B parcels previously exempt from duties and taxes are now subject to formal customs clearance and associated tariffs upon arrival. To ensure accurate pricing for your business and your buyers, always verify the tariff rates associated with your specific products before shipping.
When the flow reverses and you are importing goods from the United States into Europe, European customs security rules apply. The European Union has implemented the Import Control System 2 (ICS2), a large-scale, advanced IT system designed to collect data on all goods entering the EU before their arrival.
For European importers, this means your US supplier and the courier must submit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) prior to loading the cargo. Incomplete or vague data will result in immediate delays or rejection at the border. Ensure your US partners provide the following for full ICS2 compliance:
Precise Goods Descriptions: Broad terms like "parts," "samples," or "electronics" are strictly prohibited. The description must clearly state what the item is, what it is made of, and its intended use.
Accurate HS Codes: A valid 6-digit HS Code is mandatory to globally classify the product and calculate European import duties.
Consignee EORI Number: As a European B2B importer, your valid EORI number must be included in the commercial documentation.
Expert Tip: For comprehensive details on these mandatory security protocols, consult the European Commission's official ICS2 portal.
To keep your supply chain moving, accurate documentation is your best defense against customs holds. Every non-document shipment between the US and the EU requires a correctly formatted commercial invoice. This document must clearly list the buyer and seller details, itemized values, quantities, and the exact reason for export.
At ParcelParcel, we simplify international trade. We work with premium carriers like FedEx, DHL, and UPS to ensure your commercial shipments clear customs efficiently. You can easily estimate your total transport expenses by using our tool to calculate shipping costs directly on our platform.
The basic calculation hasn’t changed: import duties USA are based on your product’s HTS code, declared customs value and country of origin. What has changed is that the $800 de minimis exemption has been suspended, so many low-value parcels that were previously duty-free are now treated like regular import entries and can be charged customs duty, MPF and other fees.
When you book via ParcelParcel, we help you select the correct HTS code, factor in MPF/HMF where relevant and give you a clear landed-cost estimate before you confirm your shipment.
Did this answer help?
Customs duty is the tariff set in the HTS for your specific product and origin. “US import tax” is a broader term that usually includes:
Customs duty
MPF and, for ocean freight, HMF
Possible state or local taxes
With ParcelParcel, these are clearly broken down, so you can see exactly how US import tax is built up for your shipment.
Did this answer help?
You can search the Harmonized Tariff Schedule online and review the legal notes for your product category. That’s a great starting point, but classification can be tricky. If you send us your product specs (including material, use and technical details), we’ll help verify the likely HTS code and import duty rates US before you ship, so you don’t run into surprises after arrival.
Did this answer help?
No. Customs duty, MPF and HMF are governed by US rules, but each courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.) sets its own clearance, handling and disbursement fees and offers different transit times and service levels. ParcelParcel compares these options side-by-side for your route, so you can see the total cost, including import duties USA and carrier fees, and pick the best fit.
Did this answer help?
US import duties are calculated based on the Harmonized System (HS) code, the declared commercial value of the goods, and trade agreements between the US and the exporting country.
Did this answer help?
Not always, but exemptions have tightened. Following the regulatory updates in August 2025, the $800 De Minimis exemption no longer applies to certain commercial shipments, making them subject to standard duties and taxes.
Did this answer help?
You can instantly check the shipping costs through our rate calculator. Enter the weight, dimensions, and destination country of your shipment, and you will see all available shipping options along with their respective delivery times. The calculator can be used to compare shipping rates for both export and import shipments.
If you need help calculating a shipping rate, watch the video below. Click on the 
button to play the video and the 
icon to view the video in fullscreen.
Did this answer help?
Shipping costs are calculated based on dimensions (LxWxH in cm), weight (in kg), and the destination country. Both the actual weight (as shown on the scale) and the volumetric weight are considered.
The volumetric weight is the weight calculated based on the space your shipment occupies in the plane. The higher of the two weights (volumetric or actual weight) is used to calculate the shipping rate. You don't need to calculate this yourself; our calculator does it for you.
Did this answer help?
You can use the discount code PP10 for 10% discount on the transportation costs of your first shipment. You can apply the discount code during the checkout process (instructions).
Did this answer help?
Whether additional costs apply depends on whether your shipment stays within the European Union or is sent to/from a country outside the European Union. Below, you can see the additional costs for each situation.
Within the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to Italy (within the EU), there will be an additional 21% VAT on the shipping costs.
Furthermore, if your shipment stays within the European Union, you won't have to deal with any import duties or customs clearance fees because your shipment doesn't go through customs. Please note that the European Union is not the same as Europe.
View here all the countries that are part of the European Union. For example, Switzerland is part of Europe but not part of the European Union.
Outside the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to the United States, there will be no VAT (0%) applied to the displayed shipping rates.
However, there might be import duties levied by customs in the destination country if you send a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union. Typically, customs costs are charged to the recipient. This is known as Delivered At Place (DAP) in logistics terminology.
Customs is a government agency that levies import duties in certain cases to protect the local market. As a company, you can also ship using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), which means any customs costs will be charged to you as the sender.
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. Additionally, you can read everything about import duties, VAT, and the customs clearance process in this blog.
Did this answer help?
A customs invoice is a form where all the goods you want to ship are specified. This invoice includes an English description of the goods, along with their corresponding value and weight.
The contents of your shipment must be specified per type of product you're sending to avoid delays at customs. A customs invoice is always prepared in quadruplicate in accordance with customs guidelines.
When is a customs invoice required?
A customs invoice is only required for shipments to/from countries outside the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - United States). If your shipment stays within the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - Italy), your shipment will not go through customs, and therefore, a customs invoice is not required.
Additionally, document shipments are not subject to customs, so if you're sending a document to a country within/outside the European Union, no customs invoice is needed.
Please note that not all goods can be shipped to every country. You can find a list of goods that cannot be sent via ParcelParcel on this page.
Do I need to create a customs invoice myself?
If you're sending a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union, it's mandatory to include a customs invoice with the shipment. We provide free support in creating a customs invoice.
You can easily generate a customs invoice through our shipping platform. The customs invoice will be automatically generated based on the content you specified during your booking.
Did this answer help?
You can import just as easily as export via ParcelParcel.
Did this answer help?
You can find a list of goods that cannot be shipped via ParcelParcel on this page.
Did this answer help?
