St. Helena Import Duties & Taxes Explained

The standard customs duty rate is 20% on most consumer goods like clothing and electronics. Certain items such as heavy machinery may qualify for a reduced rate of 5%.

No, St. Helena does not currently impose VAT or GST on imported goods, so you will not pay this additional tax. Your only major charge will be the customs duty.

Duty is calculated using a Free-on-Board (FOB) method, meaning it applies only to the purchase price of the goods. This excludes international shipping and insurance costs from your tax calculation.

No, St. Helena has no de minimis threshold for mailed packages, so all imports are subject to duty regardless of value. Even low-value items from your shipment will incur charges.

HM Customs and Excise of the St. Helena Government collects all duties and taxes upon arrival. You may also pay handling fees to local agents or the post office for clearance.

Yes, local agents or the St. Helena Post Office may charge a processing or wharfage fee for clearing your shipment. Storage fees apply if goods remain in customs for more than seven days.

The local currency is the St. Helena Pound (SHP), which is pegged 1:1 with the British Pound (GBP). Your final charges will be assessed and collected in this currency.

Yes, St. Helena has strict biosecurity laws prohibiting items like honey, certain plants, and fresh foods. Drones and specific radio equipment may also require prior authorization.

You can estimate duties at 20% of your item's purchase price plus a potential handling fee of roughly £5 to £15. Keep in mind that final charges are determined by HM Customs and the carrier.

Most consumer goods are effectively exempt from customs duties and taxes on St. Maarten/St. Martin, with a $0 threshold for personal imports. While your shipment won't owe government duties or taxes on standard items like electronics and clothing, expect a carrier handling fee of $25-$55 USD to process the package through customs.