At Dive Gear Zone, we proudly ship scuba diving equipment and water sports products to customers around the world. Before placing an international order, we recommend reviewing the information below regarding customs procedures, import duties, taxes, and possible additional charges that may apply in your destination country.
Who Is Responsible for Import Duties & Taxes?
Orders shipped outside the United Arab Emirates may be subject to import duties, customs fees, VAT, GST, sales tax, or other government charges imposed by the destination country.
These charges are not included in the product prices or shipping fees displayed at checkout unless explicitly stated. The recipient (importer) is solely responsible for paying any applicable import charges required by local customs authorities before the shipment can be released for delivery.
Why Aren't These Charges Included at Checkout?
Import duties and taxes are determined by the customs authority of the destination country and depend on several factors, including:
- Product classification (HS Code)
- Country of origin
- Declared customs value
- Destination country's customs regulations
- Trade agreements
- Current import laws and tax policies
Because these charges are calculated by local authorities and may change without notice, Dive Gear Zone is generally unable to calculate or collect them in advance.
Customs Documentation
To comply with international shipping regulations, Dive Gear Zone prepares all required export documentation for every international shipment.
This may include:
- Commercial Invoice
- Customs Declaration
- Product Description
- Country of Origin
- Declared Transaction Value
- Applicable Customs Classification (HS Code)
All customs information is declared accurately and in accordance with applicable export laws and regulations.
Customs Clearance
International shipments are subject to inspection and clearance by customs authorities in the destination country.
Customs clearance procedures may occasionally result in delays that are outside the control of Dive Gear Zone or the shipping carrier.
Delivery estimates provided at checkout do not include potential customs processing delays.
Courier Processing Fees
In addition to government duties and taxes, express courier companies such as DHL Express, Aramex, UPS, or FedEx may charge additional service fees for customs clearance or for advancing duties and taxes on behalf of the recipient.
These charges are determined by the courier and local customs procedures and are separate from the shipping charges paid to Dive Gear Zone.
Refused Shipments
If the recipient refuses to pay the required import duties, taxes, customs charges, or other government fees, the shipment may be:
- Returned to Dive Gear Zone (where permitted),
- Held by customs,
- Abandoned, or
- Destroyed in accordance with local customs regulations.
If a shipment is returned, any refund will be reduced by all actual shipping expenses, return shipping costs, customs charges, carrier fees, and any other non-refundable expenses incurred during the shipment.
If the shipment cannot be returned or is abandoned by customs, no refund will be issued.
Estimated Import Charges by Country (General Reference Only)
The table below provides general guidance only. Actual import duties and taxes vary depending on product classification, customs valuation, country of origin, destination country regulations, and applicable trade agreements.
| ⚠️ Important Notice: Import duties and taxes are determined by your country's customs authorities and are not included in the product price or shipping cost unless explicitly stated. |
Jump to Region
| ▼ GCC | ▼ Middle East | ▼ North America | ▼ Latin America |
| ▼ Caribbean | ▼ Asia | ▼ East Asia | ▼ Europe |
| ▼ Africa | ▼ Oceania |
▼ GCC
| Country | Duty (%) | Tax (VAT/GST) | Note |
| United Arab Emirates | 5% | 5% | |
| Bahrain | 5% | 10% | These taxes apply to shipments with a declared value of BHD 100 or more, while packages under this amount are generally duty and tax-free. |
| Kuwait | 5% | 5% | Must provide receiver Kuwait ID copy/number for customs clearance. |
| Oman | 5% | 5% |
Packages with goods for personal use must include the receiver’s identification number for customs clearance. Resident: Civil ID Number |
| Qatar | 5% | 0% |
must include the receiver’s Qatar ID or passport copy/number for customs clearance.
Ensure complete address details contain:
|
| Saudi Arabia | 5-15% | 15% |
For all shipments to and from Saudi Arabia (SA) addresses must follow the National Address structure as a mandatory requirement by Transport General Authority (TGA). Providing incomplete details may cause delays. |
▼ Middle East
| Country | Duty (%) | Tax (VAT/GST) | Note |
| Iran | 5-55% | Importing into Iran requires standard 5% to 55% ad valorem duties (based on HS Codes), a Commercial Benefit Tax ranging from 11% to over 100%, and a flat 9% VAT. All fees are calculated based on the CIF value (Cost, Insurance, and Freight). | |
| Cyprus | 2.7% | 19% | |
| Egypt | 5% | 10% | |
| Iraq | 5-30% | 10-15% | |
| Israel | 0% | 18% | |
| Jordan | 0-30% | 16% | |
| Lebanon | 5-30% | 11% | |
| Pakistan | 5-20% | 18% | |
| Turkey | 2.7% | 18% |
Need one of this: VAT/Tax ID field The Turkish Ministry of Trade has changed the import duty threshold from €150 to €30 for Business-to-Consumer (B2C) shipments entering Turkey. Additionally, the import duty rate has changed for shipments coming from: European Union*: the duty rate will increase from 20% to 30% Effective: August 21, 2024 |
▼ North America
| Country | Duty (%) | Tax (VAT/GST) | Note |
| United States | 0-8% | No VAT/GST |
Duty depends on HS Code and product origin Customs authorities require an Employer Identification Number (EIN) |
| Belize | 10% | 12.5% | |
| Bermuda | 22.25% | No tax | |
| Canada | 0-10% | 5% GST or 15% HST depending on province. | For orders shipped via UPS and DHL, Canadian law requires the carrier to contact the customer to arrange delivery. Clearance fees can be significant on small orders, so Canadian customers may wish to consider self-clearing |
| Mexico | 0% | 16% |
Orders over $1000 shipped via DHL or UPS require the customer to provide their own in-country customs broker. Customs authorities require legal identification (Tax ID) from the consignee for tax procedures:
|
| Greenland | |||
| St Pierre and Miquelon | |||
| Svalbard and Jan Mayen |
▼ Latin America
| Country | Duty (%) | Tax (VAT/GST) | Note |
| Argentina | 0-35% | 10.5-21% |
VAT depending on the HS code Should obtain the Receiver’s applicable tax ID and fiscal condition letter (R, C, E or M). |
| Brazil | 0% | Varies by province | |
| Chile | 6% | 19% |
Customs requires the receiver’s legal identification for tax purposes:
|
| Colombia | 5-20% | 19% |
Import VAT (IVA) apply on most goods valued over $50 USD. Shipments under $200 USD are entirely duty-free |
| Costa Rica | 0%-15% | 13% | |
| Ecuador | 30% | 12% |
Customs requires the receiver’s legal identification for tax purposes:
|
| El Salvador | 0%-30% | 13% | |
| Falkland Islands | Duty-free | No tax | Carrier handling fees for clearing shipments through customs usually range from £10 to £20. |
| Guatemala | 0-15% | 12% | Provide the consignee's legal identification number |
| Honduras | 0-15% | 15% | |
| Nicaragua | 0-15% | 15% | Complete address details are required |
| Panama | 0-15% | 7% |
For shipments over $100 USD Provide the consignee’s legal identification |
| Peru | 0-11% | 18% |
Shipments with a product value up to $200 USD are entirely tax and duty-free. consignee legal identification number must match the importer stated on the invoice. Shipments missing information at destination may be returned after 15 days. |
| Suriname | 15-20% | 10% | Shipments valued under USD 100 generally enter Suriname duty-free and tax-free. |
| Uruguay | 0%-35%, averaging around 10% | 22% | Courier and handling fees usually add 15$ to 20$ to the total |
| Venezuela | 5%-20% | 16% |
Customs Service Fee: A flat 1% of the CIF value is assessed on nearly all imports. Carrier Brokerage Fees: Additional carrier processing fees typically start at $50–$150 USD |
▼ Caribbean
| Country | Duty (%) | Tax (VAT/GST) | Note |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 20-25% | 17% | |
| Aruba | 6% | No tax | |
| Bahamas | 5-35% | 10% | |
| Barbados | 10% | 17.5% | |
| British Virgin Islands | |||
| Cayman Islands | 22% | No tax | |
| Dominica | 10% | 15% | |
| Dominican Republic | 0-20% | 18% | Shipments with a declared value of $200 USD or less are generally exempt from both customs duties and ITBIS. |
| Puerto Rico | Vary | 11.5% | |
| Grenada | 5-40% | 15% | |
| Guadeloupe | 0-12% | 8.5% |
Exemptions: Items with an intrinsic value of €150 or less are generally exempt from standard customs duties. Rates: For items over €150, standard EU customs duties apply based on the item category (e.g., electronics are typically 0% to 2%, while clothing can be up to 12%) |
| Haiti | 15–25% | 10% | |
| Jamaica | 10% | 16.5% | |
| Martinique | 2.7% | 8.5% | |
| Montserrat | 10–15% | 5–30% | |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 10% | 17% | |
| Saint Lucia | 10% | 15% | |
| Saint Martin | 0% | No tax | |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 10% | 15% | |
| Turks and Caicos | 30% | No tax |
▼ Asia
| Country | Duty (%) | Tax (VAT/GST) | Note |
| Azerbaijan | 0-15% | 18% | |
| Georgia | 0-12% | 18% | |
| India | 10% | India calculates import taxes using the CIF method (Cost, Insurance, and Freight). Instead of a flat VAT, India applies an Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) on imported goods, typically at 12% or 18%. | |
| Bangladesh |
0-100% Varies widely by product classification and origin |
15% | Business to Business (B2B) must include receiver’s 13 digit BIN number following the correct format (e.g XXXXXXXXX-XXXX) for customs clearance. Please use drop down to select BIN and input 13 digit BIN number. |
| Maldives | 0% | 8% | Import fees may vary if shipped to a business address |
| Sri Lanka | 0-30% | 18% | Customs Duty determined by the item's HS Code |
| Russia | 0-30% | 20-22% | |
| Belarus | 5-7% | 20% | |
| Myanmar | 0-40% | 5% | |
| Turkmenistan | 5-20% | 15% |
▼ East Asia
| Country | Duty (%) | Tax (VAT/GST) | Note |
| Brunei | 0-20% | 0% | |
| Cambodia | 0-35% | 10% | Goods with a customs value of $100 or more are subject to duties |
| China | 0-100% | 13% | Duty rates vary widely (ranging from 0% to over 100%) and are entirely dependent on your product's 13-digit HS (Harmonized System) Code. |
| Taiwan | 2.5% | 5% | Receiver mobile phone number and email address are required |
| Japan | 0-10% | 10% |
Duty varies by product Shipments with an overseas value of ¥10,000 or less are generally exempt from both customs duty and consumption tax. |
| South Korea |
0-13% Shipments under the de minimis threshold of $150 (or $200 for goods from the US) are completely duty and tax-free |
10% |
One of the following is required and will be submitted for customs clearance:
Prohibited: Korean privacy law prohibits the use of a Korean registration number (civil registration number). |
| Hong Kong, SAR PRC | 0% | No tax | Use postal code: 999077 |
| Macau, SAR PRC | 0% | No tax | Use postal code: 999078 |
| Singapore | 0% | 9% | GST may apply on imports |
| Indonesia | 15% | 11% |
For shipments to Indonesia, Indonesian customs authorities require identification numbers. If the Recipient is:
|
| Philippines | 0-30% | 12% | shipments with a total value (including shipping and insurance) of PHP 10,000 or less are duty and tax-free |
| Thailand | 5-30% | 7% | |
| Timor-Leste | 5% | 2.5% | |
| Vietnam | 0-25% | 8% | |
| Malaysia | 0-30% | 5-10% |
▼ Europe
| Country | Duty (%) | Tax (VAT/GST) | Note |
| Albania |
0-15% Typically 2.7% |
20% | Packages valued at or under €22 are exempt from VAT and duties. Shipments valued between €22 and €150 are subject to VAT only. Consignments over €150 are subject to both duties and VAT |
| Austria |
0-12% Typically 2.7% |
20% | Goods valued below €150 are typically exempt from customs duty, but still subject to import VAT. |
| Belgium |
0-17% Typically 2.7% |
21% |
VAT is applied to all commercial shipments, regardless of value. Duties are waived if the shipment's customs value is €150 or less |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina |
0-15% Typically 2.7% |
17% | |
| Czech Republic | 2.7% | 21% | Items under €150 are usually duty-free |
| Denmark |
0-12% Typically 2.7% |
25% | Items under €150 are usually duty-free |
| Estonia |
0-17% Typically 2.7% |
24% | Shipments valued up to €150 are exempt from customs duties but subject to the 24% import VAT |
| Faroe Islands | 5-10% | 25% | If your total package value (goods + shipping) is below 300 DKK, you are exempt from duty and VAT |
| Finland |
0-17% Typically 2.7% |
25.5% | Customs duty must be paid regardless of the value of the parcel. |
| France |
Up to 10% Typically 2.7% |
20% | For shipments valued over €150, both duties and VAT apply. Below this threshold, goods are exempt from duties but subject to VAT |
| Germany |
0-17% Typically 2.7% |
19% | Customs duties applies to items valued over €150. |
| Gibraltar | 12% | No tax | |
| Greece |
0-17% Typically 2.7% |
24% | Duties are charged if the intrinsic value of your items exceeds €150 |
| Guernsey | 2.7% | No tax | you must pay an Import Duty (Customs Duty) on goods from outside the UK, Jersey, and the Isle of Man |
| Hungary |
0-12% Typically 2.7% |
27% | Customs duties apply to packages valued over €150 |
| Iceland | 0-10% | 24% | Rates depend on the product classification (many items are 0%) and apply to the CIF value |
| Ireland |
0-12% Typically 2.7% |
23% | Goods over €150: Charged at varying percentages (typically between 0% and 12%, depending on the specific tariff code) |
| Isle of Man | 2.7% | 20% | |
| Italy |
0-17% Typically 2.7% |
22% | All shipments to Livigno and Trepalle (ZIP code 23041) must include an Export Accompanying Document (EAD), regardless of origin or goods value. |
| Kosovo | 0-10% | 18% | |
| Jersey | 2.7% | 5% | Jersey is outside the UK/EU VAT areas, meaning standard VAT is not charged. |
| Latvia |
0-15% Typically 2.7% |
21% | Orders up to €150 customs duties are not charged |
| Liechtenstein | 8.1% | 8.1% |
VAT is calculated based on the total import value, which includes the cost of the goods, shipping, and the customs duties themselves. You generally do not have to pay import VAT if the calculated VAT amount is less than CHF 5. This means goods under CHF 62 (at the 8.1% rate) or CHF 194 (at the 2.6% rate) are effectively VAT-free. |
| Lithuania |
0-17% Typically 2.7% |
21% | Duties are typically only applied if the value of the goods (excluding shipping) exceeds €150 |
| Luxembourg | 4.2% | 17% |
Items valued over €150 are subject to specific tariff rates (typically 0% to 17%, averaging 4.2% for general goods). |
| Malta |
0-17% Typically 2.7% |
18% | |
| Monaco |
5-15% Typically 2.7% |
20% | Duties are generally only charged on items where the combined cost of the goods exceeds €150 |
| Montenegro | 5% | 21% |
Rates typically range from 0% to 30% depending on the product, but a simplified rate of 5% is often applied. There is no longer a VAT exemption for low-value packages. Customs duties apply to shipments valued over €150 for purchases or €45 for gifts. |
| Moldova | 0-15% | 20% | Shipments over EUR 150 require formal customs clearance, and taxes are applied. |
| Netherlands |
0-12% Typically 2.7% |
21% | Only applied if the parcel's value is €150 or more |
| North Macedonia | 0-25% | 18% | Commercial parcels are generally subject to VAT regardless of value, while non-commercial shipments (gifts from individuals) are often exempt if they do not exceed €22 |
| Norway | 0% | 25% | |
| Poland |
0-12% Typically 2.7% |
23% | |
| Portugal | 2.7% | 23% | Shipments with an intrinsic value of €150 or less are typically exempt from customs duty |
| Romania | 2.7% | 19% | Parcels valued at €150 or less were previously exempt from customs duties. |
| Serbia | 0-10% | 20% | |
| Spain |
0-17% Typically 2.7% |
21% |
For zip codes beginning with 35 or 38, please select Canary Islands instead of Spain. Generally, duties are only applied if the shipment's value exceeds €150 |
| Sweden | 2.7% | 25% | Customs Duties: For items valued up to €150 (approx. SEK 1,655), a flat rate of €3 per item applies. For items over €150, duties generally range from 0% to 20% depending on the HS code |
| Switzerland | 0% | 8.1% |
Customs duties are calculated based on the gross weight and the type of goods (often less than CHF 1 per kg). Additional CHF45.00 per 100 kg applies You will owe VAT if the import fees total more than CHF 5. A parcel is subject to VAT if the combined value of the goods and shipping is at least CHF 63 (for the 8.1% rate) or CHF 194 (for the 2.6% rate) |
| United Kingdom | 0-12% | 20% | Subject to UK customs regulations |
▼ Africa
| Country | Duty (%) | Tax (VAT/GST) | Note |
| Djibouti | 5-26% | 10% | |
| French Guiana | 0% | ||
| Ghana | 5-35% | 15% | |
| Kenya | 0-25% | 16% | |
| Madagascar | 0-20% | 20% | |
| Mauritius | 15% | ||
| Mayotte | 2.7% | 0% | |
| Morocco | 2.5% | 20% | |
| Mozambique | 16% | ||
| Namibia | 0-20% | 15% | |
| Reunion | 2.7% | 8.5% | Réunion is outside the European Union's VAT zone, meaning standard mainland French VAT rates do not apply. |
| Senegal | 0-20% | 18% | |
| Seychelles | 20% | 15% | Personal shipments or baggage valued under SCR 3,000 (~$220 USD) are generally exempt from both VAT and customs duty. |
| South Africa | 0-45% | 15% | |
| Tanzania | 0-35% | 18% | |
| Tunisia | 0-50% | 19% |
▼ Oceania
| Country | Duty (%) | Tax (VAT/GST) | Note |
| Australia | 0-5% | 10% | AUD 1,000 or less: No customs duty or standard import GST collected at the border. |
| Cocos Islands | 10% | Managed under Australian federal regulations via the Department of Infrastructure. | |
| Cook Islands | 0-20% | 15% | |
| Christmas Island | No tax | Christmas Island does not charge a local Goods and Services Tax or VAT on internal transactions. Orders Over A$1,000: You will be contacted to complete an Import Declaration. You must pay a 5% customs duty (depending on the product category), 10% GST, and an import processing charge before the package is cleared for final delivery to the island | |
| New Zealand | 0-5% | 15% | May apply depending on shipment value |
| Fiji | 0-32% | 15% | |
| French Polynesia | 5-20% | 16% | |
| Nauru | 10-20% | 0% | |
| New Caledonia | 0-20% | 3% | |
| Norfolk Island | 0% | Orders below this $50 USD limit are generally free from duty and tax | |
| Papua New Guinea | 0-25% | 10% | |
| Solomon Islands | 6% | 15% | |
| Samoa | 0-35% | 15% | |
| Tonga | 0-35% | 15% | |
| Tuvalu | 10-30% | 7% | |
| Vanuatu | 0-55% | 15% | |
| Wallis and Futuna | 4-55% | 0% |
Important Notice ⚠️
The duty, tax, and customs information provided above is intended for general guidance only and should be considered an estimate. Actual import charges may vary depending on the product's HS Code, country of origin, declared value, destination country's customs regulations, applicable trade agreements, and any changes in local laws or government policies.
Additional customs brokerage, clearance, storage, or duty advancement fees may also be charged by the shipping carrier or customs authorities.
| Dive Gear Zone cannot guarantee the accuracy of these estimates and is not responsible for any import duties, taxes, customs fees, or additional charges imposed by the destination country. We strongly recommend contacting your local customs office or shipping carrier before placing an international order if you require precise import cost information. |
Dive Gear Zone pre-pays the shipping charges for your order. You will not be charged any additional shipping fees by us after checkout.
For international shipments, however, the recipient is responsible for any import duties, taxes, customs clearance fees, or other charges imposed by the destination country. These charges are determined by local customs authorities and are not included in your order total unless expressly stated otherwise.
If a shipment is refused because the recipient declines to pay the required customs charges, any refund issued will be reduced by the actual outbound and return shipping costs incurred for the shipment.
If the package cannot be returned to us, or if the return shipping costs exceed the value of the contents, the shipment may be treated as abandoned by the destination country’s customs authorities. In such cases, no refund will be available.
We recommend checking your country’s import regulations and estimated duties and taxes before placing an international order.
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