International Orders & Import Charges
We ship LED lighting products worldwide. International orders are supplied exclusive of UK VAT, which can save you up to 20% compared to UK prices. However, you may be liable for import duties and local taxes in your country.
✅ VAT-Free — No UK VAT charged on international orders
⚠️ Import Charges — You may owe duties/taxes on arrival
📦 DAP Shipping — Delivered At Place (you handle customs)
🇬🇧 UK VAT: What It Means for You
When you order from outside the UK, we don't charge UK VAT (20%) on your order. This is automatically removed at checkout when you enter a non-UK delivery address.
However, this doesn't mean your order is tax-free. Your country will likely charge:
- Import duty — A percentage based on the product type
- Local VAT/sales tax — At your country's rate
- Customs handling fees — Charged by the courier or postal service
⚠️ Important: These charges are your responsibility and are not included in the prices shown on our website. We cannot predict what they will be as they vary by country.
📦 What is DAP Shipping?
All international orders are shipped on a Delivered At Place (DAP) basis. In plain English, this means:
✅ We Handle
- Packing your order
- Export paperwork
- Shipping to your country
- Delivery to your address
⚠️ You Handle
- Import duties
- Local VAT/taxes
- Customs clearance fees
- Any broker charges
🇪🇺 Orders to the European Union
Since Brexit, orders to EU countries are treated the same as other international destinations. You will likely pay:
- Import duty — Typically 0-4% for LED lighting products
- Local VAT — At your country's rate (e.g., 21% Germany, 20% France, 23% Ireland)
- Handling fee — Usually €10-25 charged by the courier
💡 Tip: The EU has a €150 threshold for customs duties. Below this, you typically only pay VAT. Check with your local customs office for current thresholds.
🏝️ Channel Islands, Isle of Man & Gibraltar
These territories are outside the UK VAT area, so orders are VAT-free. However, you may still be liable for local import charges depending on the value of your order.
🌍 Rest of World
We ship to most countries worldwide. Import duties and taxes vary significantly — we recommend checking with your local customs authority before ordering.
| Region | Typical Delivery Time |
|---|---|
| Europe (EU) | 3-5 working days |
| USA & Canada | 5-10 working days |
| Australia & New Zealand | 7-14 working days |
| Rest of World | 7-21 working days |
Delivery times are estimates and exclude customs clearance delays.
❓ What Happens If I Don't Pay Import Charges?
If you refuse to pay import duties or taxes when your parcel arrives:
❌ Delays — Your parcel will be held at customs
❌ Return — The parcel may be sent back to us (at your cost)
❌ Disposal — Customs may dispose of the goods
❌ No refund — We cannot refund orders lost due to unpaid import charges
✅ Before You Order: Checklist
☐ Check your country's import duty rates for LED lighting products
☐ Find out your local VAT/sales tax rate
☐ Budget for courier handling/clearance fees (typically €10-30)
☐ Ensure you have the correct delivery address including postal/zip code
☐ Provide a contact phone number for the courier
❓ Common Questions
Will I pay VAT twice?
Can you mark the parcel as a gift or lower value?
Can I get a quote for total landed cost?
Do you ship to [my country]?
What if my order is held at customs?
📚 Related Guides
🌍 Questions About International Orders?
Our team can provide shipping quotes and answer questions.