Written by Miki · Updated 18 September 2026
Every parcel LitBuy sends out of China carries a customs declaration: a short description of the contents and a declared value. Customs in your country uses that declaration to decide whether duty or VAT is due and whether the parcel gets a closer look. This guide explains what the declaration is, what you should enter, and what the thresholds in the main destination countries actually mean as of September 2026. The short version: declare what you paid, describe the items honestly, and budget for import charges instead of trying to dodge them. That is what keeps parcels moving.
What a customs declaration is
When LitBuy ships your parcel, it attaches a customs form (a CN22/CN23 for postal lines or a commercial invoice for courier lines). The form lists:
- A description of the goods ("cotton T-shirt", "canvas sneakers")
- The quantity of each item
- The declared value, usually in USD
- The country of origin (China)
Your destination's customs authority uses this to calculate any duty and import VAT or sales tax, and to screen for prohibited or restricted items. The declared value should be the transaction value: what you actually paid the seller for the goods.
Why an accurate declaration matters
Under-declaring is the single most common cause of trouble with agent parcels. Customs officers see thousands of parcels from Chinese agents and know roughly what a pair of sneakers or a hoodie costs. A parcel weighing 3 kg declared at $15 stands out immediately.
What can happen with a low declaration:
- The parcel is held while customs asks you for proof of payment
- Customs assigns its own (often higher) valuation and charges duty on that
- A penalty or administrative fee is added on top of the normal charges
- In serious or repeat cases, the parcel is seized
An accurate declaration, on the other hand, usually clears in one to three working days. Any duty or VAT is billed by the carrier or postal service, you pay it, and the parcel is delivered. It costs money, but it is predictable.
What customs checks: thresholds by country
These are the values customs uses to decide whether charges apply. They are not targets to declare under. Figures were checked in September 2026 against the official sources listed at the end of this article; rules change, so confirm before shipping high-value orders.
| Destination | Duty | Import VAT / sales tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | No duty-free threshold. The $800 de minimis exemption ended on 29 August 2025; all commercial parcels are now dutiable. | No federal VAT; some states collect use tax separately. | Expect the carrier to bill duty plus a brokerage or processing fee. |
| European Union | Duty-free up to €150 customs value. The EU has agreed to remove this exemption; the change is scheduled for 2026. | VAT is due from €0. It is either collected at checkout through IOSS or charged on arrival by the carrier. | If VAT is charged on arrival, the carrier usually adds a handling fee. |
| United Kingdom | Duty-free up to £135. | VAT is charged at the point of sale for goods up to £135, and on import above that. | Excise goods (alcohol, tobacco) are charged regardless of value. |
| Canada | Duty and tax free up to CAD 20 for postal shipments. The CAD 150 (duty) and CAD 40 (tax) courier thresholds only apply to goods shipped from the US or Mexico. | GST/HST and, where applicable, PST above the threshold. | Courier brokerage fees can exceed the tax itself on small parcels. |
| Australia | Duty and GST are generally not charged on arrival for goods valued at AUD 1,000 or less. | GST on low-value goods is collected by the seller or platform at checkout, where registered. | Above AUD 1,000 an import declaration is required. |
| New Zealand | Duty and GST are generally not collected at the border for consignments of NZD 1,000 or less. | GST on low-value goods is collected by registered overseas sellers at checkout. | Above NZD 1,000 duty, GST and an import transaction fee apply. |
Other frequently asked destinations: Japan exempts consignments with a customs value of ¥10,000 or less from duty and consumption tax; South Korea applies a USD 150 exemption for most personal imports. Verify with your national customs site before relying on these figures.
How to set the declaration in LitBuy
- Open your warehouse and select the items you want to ship together.
- Choose the shipping line for your destination (see the LitBuy Shipping Guide).
- Enter the declared value. Use the total you paid for the goods in the parcel, converted to USD. LitBuy shows the purchase price of each item, so you can add them up.
- Describe the contents accurately. "Cotton hoodie x1, canvas sneakers x1" is better than "clothing". Vague descriptions are more likely to be opened.
- Review and submit. Keep the LitBuy order confirmation and payment receipt in case customs asks for proof of value.
Some shipping lines pre-fill a declaration or restrict what you can enter. If the pre-filled value is clearly below what you paid, change it. If the line does not let you enter the real value, choose a different line.
Special cases
Multiple items in one parcel. Declare the sum of what you paid. Customs assesses the parcel as a whole, so splitting the total across items does not change the outcome.
Electronics and watches. These are inspected more often than clothing. Ship them with a full description (brand-neutral is fine: "quartz wristwatch"), the real value, and consider shipping insurance.
Gifts. Most countries have a separate gift allowance, but it only applies to genuine gifts sent between private individuals, not to goods you bought for yourself. Do not mark agent parcels as gifts.
Branded goods. Customs authorities screen for trademark infringement. If a listing uses a brand name it is not authorized to use, the parcel can be seized regardless of the declared value. See How to Avoid Counterfeit Products.
What happens if your parcel is inspected
Random and risk-based inspections are normal and are not a sign that anything is wrong.
- Wait for contact. The carrier or postal service will email or send a letter asking for documents or payment.
- Send proof of value. A screenshot of the LitBuy order with prices and your payment receipt is normally enough.
- Pay the assessed charges. Most carriers let you pay online; the parcel is released after payment.
- Track the parcel. Clearance after payment usually takes one to three working days.
If a parcel is returned to the LitBuy warehouse, contact LitBuy support before re-shipping so the same issue does not repeat.
Key takeaways
- The declared value is the price you paid. That is also what customs expects to see.
- The US no longer has a duty-free threshold for parcels; the EU's €150 threshold is scheduled to end in 2026.
- VAT in the EU and UK is due from the first euro or pound; the threshold only decides where it is collected.
- Accurate descriptions and consistent values clear faster than "clothing, $15".
- Budget for import charges when you compare an agent order with buying locally.
Sources
Checked September 2026.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Internet Purchases
- European Commission, Buying goods online coming from a non-EU country
- UK Government, Tax and customs for goods sent from abroad
- Canada Border Services Agency, Importing by mail
- Australian Border Force, Buying online
- New Zealand Customs Service, Duty and GST
- LitBuy official site
Ready to start shopping?
Browse the full LitBuy spreadsheet — every listing has QC photos and a verified buy link. If you know what you are after, jump straight to sneaker listings or clothing listings.
For a deeper dive on this topic specifically, see our editorial sister site's guide on per-country customs declaration values.
