Buying beautiful yarn should be exciting. Getting surprised by an unexpected customs bill? Not so much.
I've put together this guide to help you understand what taxes and import charges might apply to your order, wherever in the world you're shopping from.
The taxes I collect are calculated at checkout. Depending on your country, customs or your delivery company might also charge import taxes, duties, or handling fees when your parcel arrives.
Last updated November 4, 2026.
VAT & Price Display
How is VAT calculated?
That mostly depends on where your yarn is going!
The shop uses your location or selected country to estimate prices and taxes while you browse. Once you enter your shipping address at checkout, the tax calculation for your order is finalized.
If you're traveling, using a VPN, or having your yarn delivered somewhere other than your current location, you might notice prices changing. That's normal!
What happens for orders delivered within the European Union?
For orders delivered within the EU, the applicable VAT is calculated according to the destination and the tax rules for your order.
The VAT you need to pay is included or collected at checkout, so you shouldn't encounter additional import VAT when your yarn arrives from the Netherlands.
For customers in the Netherlands, most of my products are subject to the standard Dutch VAT rate of 21%.
Why can the price change when I change my shipping country?
Different countries have different VAT rates, customs rules, currencies, and sometimes different pricing requirements.
That's why the price you see while browsing might change when you select another shipping destination.
The total shown at checkout is what you'll pay directly to Undercover Otter. Any import charges not included at checkout may still be payable when your parcel arrives.
Country-Specific Information
Norway
Good news for my Norwegian yarn lovers!
Undercover Otter is registered with Norway's VOEC (VAT on E-Commerce) scheme, which makes ordering yarn from abroad a whole lot easier.
For eligible purchases, Norwegian VAT is collected directly at checkout. Your parcel can then use Norway's simplified customs clearance process, so you shouldn't have to pay import VAT again or receive an additional customs clearance bill.
The VOEC scheme applies to purchases by private individuals where each item costs less than NOK 3,000, excluding shipping costs.
If your order includes products above this limit or items that don't qualify for VOEC, regular Norwegian import rules may apply.
Occasionally, shipping or customs processing errors can happen. If you're charged import VAT a second time on a qualifying VOEC order, please contact me so I can help you look into it.
In short: less customs hassle, more yarn. Exactly how it should be.
Iceland, Liechtenstein & Other Non-EU Countries
Here's a slightly confusing thing about Europe: being in Europe, or even the European Economic Area, doesn't necessarily mean being part of the EU VAT system.
Orders shipped from the Netherlands to countries outside the EU generally qualify for export without Dutch VAT.
However, your country may charge its own VAT, customs duties, or import fees.
Depending on the destination, these might be collected at checkout or by customs or the delivery company when your parcel arrives.
Great Britain: England, Scotland & Wales
Unfortunately, shipping to Great Britain comes with some extra paperwork and tax rules.
For orders sent directly to consumers in Great Britain with a total goods value of £135 or less, overseas sellers generally need to collect UK VAT at checkout.
I don't currently collect UK VAT, which means I can't accept these lower-value orders for delivery to Great Britain. The checkout is set up to prevent affected orders from being placed.
Orders above £135 may be possible, depending on the available shipping options. UK customs may charge import VAT, duties, or handling fees before your parcel is delivered.
I know these restrictions are frustrating, and I wish international shipping were simpler!
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has different VAT and customs arrangements from the rest of the UK.
The £135 rules described above for Great Britain don't necessarily apply in the same way.
You can check whether shipping to Northern Ireland is currently available by entering your address at checkout.
United States
Orders shipped from the Netherlands to the United States are not charged Dutch or EU VAT.
However, the US may charge import duties, tariffs, taxes, or other fees. These depend on things like the type of product, its country of origin, its value, and the customs rules in effect when it arrives.
If I'm collecting an import duty or tariff at checkout, you'll see it included in your total before paying.
If those charges aren't collected at checkout, US customs or the delivery company may request payment before delivering your parcel.
Tariff rules can change (sometimes with very little warning), so I don't publish a fixed US tariff percentage here.
Customs & Import Charges
Who pays customs duties, import taxes, and carrier fees?
If duties or import taxes are included in your checkout total, I'll arrange for those charges to be handled as part of the shipping process.
Otherwise, any import charges imposed by your country, customs authority, or delivery company are generally your responsibility.
I don't get to decide what customs charges, unfortunately. Those amounts are set by the relevant authorities and shipping companies.
How do you declare international parcels?
Every international parcel needs customs paperwork, and I fill that out using the actual value of your purchase and the correct product information.
That means I can't mark a purchase as a gift, declare a lower value, or put incorrect information on the customs forms.
I know nobody enjoys paying import duties, but incorrect customs declarations can cause serious problems for both of us. Thanks for understanding!
Can customs delay my parcel?
Yes, unfortunately!
International parcels sometimes need to be inspected or processed by customs before they're released for delivery. Sometimes that happens quickly, and sometimes customs seems to be operating on an entirely different concept of time.
A parcel sitting in customs, or tracking that hasn't updated for a while, doesn't necessarily mean something has gone wrong.
If your parcel is significantly delayed, check my Shipping Policy for more information.
What if I refuse a parcel because of import charges?
Please keep in mind that refusing a parcel or not collecting it doesn't automatically cancel your order or guarantee a full refund.
If the parcel makes its way back to me, any refund, reshipping options, or additional shipping charges depend on the circumstances and your applicable consumer rights.
I also generally can't refund customs duties, taxes, or handling fees you've paid directly to customs or a shipping company, because those payments didn't come to me.
You can find more information in my Returns & Refunds Policy and Shipping Policy.
Business Orders & Invoices
Can EU business customers use VAT reverse charge?
Possibly! If you run a VAT-registered business in another EU country, your order may qualify for an intra-EU business transaction without Dutch VAT.
The important bit: please contact me before placing and paying for your order.
I'll need to check your business details and VAT number to make sure everything is handled correctly.
Once an order has been placed as a regular consumer purchase, I generally can't change it into a reverse-charge business transaction afterward.
Can I get a VAT invoice?
Of course!
Order documentation is provided electronically. If you need a VAT-compliant invoice or have particular business billing requirements, just contact me with your order number and the details you need included.
Good to Know
Does Undercover Otter control the amount customs charges me?
I wish I could make import charges disappear, but unfortunately, no.
When customs or shipping companies charge taxes, duties, or handling fees separately from checkout, I have no control over those amounts or how long their processing takes.
Which amount should I rely on before placing an order?
The amount shown at checkout is what you'll pay Undercover Otter.
If checkout says that import duties or taxes are included, those particular charges are covered by that total.
If they're not shown as included, your country may still charge you additional import taxes, customs duties, or handling fees when the parcel arrives.
Still unsure what applies to your order?
Feel free to contact me before ordering. I'm happy to help you understand how shipping and taxes work for your destination, even if I can't predict every charge customs might decide to apply.