Import Customs, Duty / VAT / GST

Although taxes are never enjoyable to pay, the process of delivery and tax payments through FedEx has been very accommodating in our experience and most shipments arrive within a few days from Bangkok.

VAT/GST can vary depending on your country. Some countries levy a customs duty or other taxes on importation of gemstones and/or jewelry. We cannot assume any of these related government taxes, it is entirely the responsibility of the buyer to pay these costs. With many years of exporting around the world we have compiled a comprehensive list of what you can expect to pay in related taxes in the following countries:

Countries import information:

(If your country is not listed here please contact us for more information)

AUSTRALIA

Australia is our 2nd most popular international shipping destination. For this reason we continue to monitor current tax and fee rates so we can best assist you in what to expect in additional costs of receiving an item from us. We pay for Fedex shipping and insurance for you. Fedex will deliver to your door and take care of all customs procedures for you.

A forthcoming shipment will be delivered to you with an additional bill from FedEx to pay related taxes. FedEx may contact you prior to delivery for payment of taxes before they release the item for delivery. Payment of taxes can be made with credit cards to FedEx.

Australian import taxes are calculated on imported goods with a value over AU$1,000 and consist of 3 parts:

1. Customs Duty:

- On loose gemstones - none

- On finished jewelry - 5%

2. GST tax - 10% on the total of your purchase in AUD + customs duty.

3. Import Processing Charge:

- $88.00 on items AU$1,000 - AU$10,000

- $190.00 on items over AU$10,000

In addition, if the total amount of import taxes exceeds AU$300, FedEx imposes an Advancement Fee of 2.5% of the total amount of import taxes.

If you decide to return your item you will be able to have your tax payment refunded through filing forms which can be found on this website.

AUSTRIA

We pay for Fedex shipping and insurance for you. A forthcoming shipment will be delivered to you with an additional bill from FedEx to pay related taxes. FedEx may contact you prior to delivery for payment of taxes before they release the item for delivery. Payment of taxes can be made with credit cards to FedEx.

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 20%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 20%

BELGIUM

Unfortunately, we are unable to ship loose gemstones or jewelry to Belgium. Belgium specifically prohibits the importation of loose gemstones or jewelry by individuals.

CANADA

Canada being our neighbor is one of our most popular international shipping destinations. For this reason we continue to monitor current tax and fee rates so we can best assist you in what to expect in additional costs of receiving an item from us. We pay for Fedex shipping and insurance for you. Fedex will deliver to your door and take care of all customs procedures for you.

Canadian import taxes are calculated as follows:

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, GST: 5%
JEWELRY : Duty: 0%, GST: 5%

Some provinces also levy a sales tax known as PST which is added to the federal GST to make up a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Some provinces do not. The following is a list of provinces and the total tax (total HST inclusive of federal GST 5% mentioned above) you can expect to pay:

Alberta 5%
British Columbia 12%
Manitoba 13%
New Brunswick 15%
Newfoundland & Labrador 15%
Nova Scotia 15%
Northwest Territories 5%
Nova Scotia 15%
Nunavut 5%
Ontario 13%
Prince Edward Island 15%
Saskatchewan 11%
Yukon 5%
Quebec 15%

CYPRUS

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 19%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 19%

DENMARK

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 25%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 25%

FRANCE

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 20%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 20%

VERY IMPORTANT : If you are having your gemstone or jewelry shipped to France, you need to be aware of a French law that prohibits courier services like Fedex from using their own in-house brokers to do customs clearance as is the norm in other countries.

GREAT BRITAIN / UNITED KINGDOM

The UK is our most frequent international destination. Thank you to our many UK based clients!

Although duty is never enjoyable to pay, purchasing from us isn't more expensive than purchasing an equal valued item locally. Did you know that 20% VAT is priced into purchasing jewelry items available for sale in the UK? Learn more about that here:

GOV.UK - Tax on Shopping & Services

When you order from us we pay for Fedex shipping and insurance for you. A forthcoming shipment will be delivered to you with an additional bill from FedEx to pay related VAT. FedEx may contact you prior to delivery for payment of VAT before they release the item for delivery. Payment of VAT can be made with a credit card to FedEx.

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 20%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 20%

GERMANY

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 19%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 19%

HONG KONG

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 0%
JEWELRY : Duty: 0%, VAT: 0%

IRELAND

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 23%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 23%

ITALY

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 22%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 22%

MONACO

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 19%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 19%

MALAYSIA

Both gemstones and jewelry are TAX FREE into Malaysia!

We pay for Fedex shipping and insurance for you.

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, GST: 0%
JEWELRY : Duty: 0%, GST: 0%

NEW ZEALAND

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, GST: 15%
JEWELRY : Duty: 5%, GST: 15%

NETHERLANDS

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 21%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 21%

POLAND

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 23%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 23%

SWITZERLAND

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 7.7%
JEWELRY : Duty: 0%, VAT: 7.7%

SINGAPORE

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, GST: 7%
JEWELRY : Duty: 0%, GST: 7%

SOUTH AFRICA

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 15%
JEWELRY : Duty: 20%, VAT: 15%

SWEDEN

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 25%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 25%

THAILAND

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 7%
JEWELRY : Duty: 20%, VAT: 7%

TAIWAN

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 5%, Trade Promotion Fee: 0.04%
JEWELRY : Duty: 0%, VAT: 5%, Trade Promotion Fee: 0.04%

TURKEY

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 0%, VAT: 18%, SPECIAL CONSUMPTION TAX: 0%
JEWELRY : Duty: 2.5%, VAT: 18%, SPECIAL CONSUMPTION TAX: 0%

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Shipments valued over USD S5,000 will require an independent customs broker to clear the goods for you as Fedex is not permitted to do customs clearance for goods over this value. We use various services based at Dubai Airport for special import shipment handling. Their charges for customs clearance and onward delivery would be for your account. We pay for Fedex shipping and insurance for you.

For items under $5000 USD value; FedEx may contact you prior to delivery for payment of taxes before they release the item for delivery. Payment of taxes can be made with credit cards to FedEx.

LOOSE GEMSTONES : Duty: 5%, VAT: 5%
JEWELRY : Duty: 5%, VAT: 5%