EU, UK, Switzerland and Norway
Taobao shipping to Europe
Taobao's own international shipping doesn't cover Europe, so European buyers use an agent. Here is how it works and what tax applies in each country after the July 2026 EU changes.
Import VAT and duty by country
| Country | Import VAT | Parcels up to €150 / £135 | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 19% | €3 duty per item category | Germany |
| France | 20% | €3 duty per item category | France |
| Italy | 22% | €3 duty per item category | Italy |
| Spain | 21% | €3 duty per item category | Spain |
| Netherlands | 21% | €3 duty per item category | Netherlands |
| Belgium | 21% | €3 duty per item category | Belgium |
| Ireland | 23% | €3 duty per item category | Ireland |
| Austria | 20% | €3 duty per item category | Austria |
| Sweden | 25% | €3 duty per item category | Sweden |
| Denmark | 25% | €3 duty per item category | Denmark |
| United Kingdom | 20% | No duty up to £135 for now | UK |
| Switzerland | 8.1% | Not charged if VAT and duty total under CHF 5 | Switzerland |
| Norway | 25% | VAT on all imports; duty on clothing | Norway |
Other EU countries follow the same EU rules with their own VAT rate. We ship to all of them; ask for a quote.
How the €3 duty works
From 1 July 2026 the EU ended the €150 customs duty exemption. Until 1 July 2028, each item category in a low-value parcel pays a flat €3; after that, normal duty rates by product are due to apply. Items with the same tariff classification count once: five T-shirts are €3, a T-shirt and a watch are €6. Import VAT has applied to every parcel since July 2021.
The EU has also proposed a separate handling fee for small parcels and some member states have announced national fees. We include any charge that applies to your line in your shipping quote.
Lines to Europe
| Line | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Express courier (DHL, UPS, FedEx) | 5–9 days | VAT, duty and a handling fee billed on delivery |
| Tax-included line | 8–16 days | VAT and duty paid in the shipping price |
| Economy line | 15–25 days | Light, non-urgent parcels |
| Rail or sea freight | 25–50 days | Heavy orders, usually 15–20 kg or more |
Sizes in Europe
Chinese clothing sizes run one to two sizes smaller than European sizes, and Chinese shoe sizes don't always match EU sizes. Send measurements in cm and your foot length, and we compare them with the seller's own chart before buying.
Questions
Does Taobao ship to Europe?
Not directly for most orders. Taobao's official shipping covers parts of Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, but not Europe, and most sellers only ship within China.
How long does Taobao take to reach Europe?
Allow 3–7 days in China, then 5–9 days by express courier, 8–16 days on a tax-included line or 25–50 days by rail or sea for heavy orders.
What is the €3 EU parcel duty?
Since 1 July 2026 parcels worth up to €150 coming into the EU pay a flat €3 customs duty per item category instead of being duty-free. It runs until 1 July 2028. Import VAT still applies from the first euro.
Is a tax-included line worth it?
Usually, for EU and UK buyers. VAT and duty are paid in advance, the parcel isn't held for payment and you avoid the carrier's handling fee.