Gift Duty-Free Allowance Checker
Compare a gift’s declared value to a destination country’s duty-free gift allowance, and see how far over or under the threshold it lands.
Duty-free check
Allowances differ by country and only apply to genuine person-to-person gifts. Above the threshold, whether duty applies to the whole value or only the excess also varies — confirm with the destination customs authority.
Why the threshold matters
The single biggest factor in whether a gift arrives cleanly or gets held for charges is the destination’s gift allowance. Stay at or under it and, for a genuine gift, the parcel typically clears without duty or import tax. Cross it — even by a little — and the whole shipment can become chargeable, sometimes with a courier handling fee on top.
This is a quick first check before you buy or ship: enter the value and the allowance for the destination to see instantly whether you have headroom to spare or need to plan for import charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gift duty-free allowance?
Most countries set a value — often called a de-minimis threshold or gift allowance — below which a genuine person-to-person gift can be imported without duty or import tax. Send a gift valued at or under that limit and it usually clears free; go above it and the parcel becomes chargeable. This checker compares your declared value to the allowance you enter.
Is the gift allowance the same as the general de-minimis?
Not necessarily. Many customs regimes have a separate, often higher, allowance specifically for gifts sent between private individuals, distinct from the commercial de-minimis for ordinary purchases. Enter whichever figure applies to your situation — the person-to-person gift allowance for a true gift, or the commercial threshold otherwise.
If I go over the allowance, is duty charged on the whole value or just the excess?
It depends on the country. Some charge duty and tax on the entire declared value once the threshold is crossed; others assess only the amount above the allowance. This checker shows both the amount over the limit and whether you're within it, so you can apply the destination's specific rule.
Does splitting a gift into two parcels help?
Sometimes, if each parcel is genuinely a separate gift under the allowance — but customs authorities look closely at parcels sent together or in quick succession to the same address, and deliberately under-declaring value is illegal. Keep declarations honest and check the destination's rules before splitting.
What counts toward the declared value?
Generally the fair value of the goods themselves. Depending on the country, shipping and insurance may or may not count toward the gift allowance even though they usually count toward the customs value for duty. When in doubt, use the goods value here and confirm the treatment of shipping with the destination customs authority.
Educational estimate only — not customs or legal advice. Gift allowances, what qualifies as a gift, and whether duty applies to the whole value or only the excess vary by country and change over time. Verify the current threshold and rules with the destination customs authority.