💸 7 min read
AliExpress Import Charges — Every Fee Explained
"Why did my $20 AliExpress order cost $48 by the time it arrived?" The answer is usually 4–5 separate charges layered on top. Here’s every fee that can apply, when it applies, and how to estimate the total upfront.
The five charge types
1. Import duty
A percentage of the declared value (product + shipping) charged by your country’s customs authority. Rate depends on the HS code of your product and your country’s tariff schedule. For AliExpress retail, expect 0–30% in most countries, 60% in Brazil.
Who collects: Customs authority. When: On arrival, billed by the carrier or post office. Avoidable? Only by staying under the de-minimis threshold or buying Choice Local.
2. VAT / GST / Sales tax
A consumption tax applied on the post-duty value. Standard rates: UK 20%, EU 19–25%, Australia 10%, Bangladesh 15%, India 18%, Brazil 17%.
Who collects: Either AliExpress at checkout (if seller is IOSS-enrolled for EU/UK) or the carrier on delivery. When: Either at checkout or arrival. Avoidable? No — it always applies on imports.
3. Brokerage / customs handling fee
The carrier’s service charge for clearing customs on your behalf. $5–$25 flat for express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx). $0–$5 for postal services.
Who collects: The carrier. When: Bundled with the duty + VAT bill. Avoidable? Yes — choose postal shipping for low-value items.
4. State sales tax (US specific)
US state sales tax (typically 6–9%) collected by AliExpress at checkout for orders to states with marketplace facilitator laws (most states). This is separate from federal import duty.
Who collects: AliExpress. When: At checkout. Avoidable? No (legally).
5. Currency conversion fee
If your card is issued in a different currency from the AliExpress checkout currency, your bank may add 1–3% as a foreign transaction fee. Some travel/fintech cards charge 0%.
Who collects: Your bank. Avoidable? Use a fee-free card or pay in your local currency at checkout.
Worked example — $20 AliExpress order to the UK
- Product: $20
- Shipping: $3
- Duty (UK 2.5% on $23): $0.58
- VAT (UK 20% on $23.58): $4.72
- Brokerage (postal): $0
- Currency fee (1.5%): $0.42
- Total: $28.72 (+44% over sticker)
Worked example — $200 AliExpress order to Brazil
- Product: $200
- Shipping: $15
- Remessa Conforme (17% if seller enrolled): $36.55
- ICMS (state ~17%): $42.94
- Brokerage: $5
- Total: $299.49 (+50% over sticker)
How to estimate before you order
Three ways:
- Paste the URL into our calculator on the homepage.
- Install the Chrome extension — see the total directly on every AliExpress page.
- For multi-product carts, use the bulk calculator to total up everything at once.
Skip the copy-paste — get tariffs instantly on AliExpress
Our free Chrome extension adds a live tariff badge to every AliExpress product page. No signup required.
FAQ
What are AliExpress import charges?▾
Generic term for everything customs and the carrier add to your AliExpress order: import duty (a % of declared value), VAT/GST (a % on top of duty), brokerage fee (carrier service charge), and sometimes a state sales tax (collected by AliExpress at checkout).
Are import charges included in the AliExpress price?▾
Sometimes. EU/UK orders from IOSS sellers have VAT pre-paid (look for "Tax included"). State sales tax is collected at checkout for most US states. Import duty itself is almost never included — you pay it on delivery.
How much are AliExpress import charges?▾
Highly country-dependent. UK: ~25% combined. US (under $800): often $0. Brazil: 60–77%. Bangladesh: 40–50%. Use our calculator with your URL + country for an exact estimate.
Can I see import charges before I order?▾
Yes — paste the URL into our calculator or install the Chrome extension to see the breakdown directly on the AliExpress product page.