Archive · 27 Nov 2025
UK Plans to End Duty-Free Exemption for Low-Value Imports
The UK government wants to stop the duty-free exemption for small packages (under £135) that people send to the UK.
This includes gifts, food, and small business samples.
Right now, these small packages don't have to pay import duty, but the government thinks this rule should change.
They are asking the public for their opinions on this change until March 6, 2026.
The new rule will start in March 2029.
The US already did this in August 2025.
Some people think this will make it harder to send small gifts or samples, but the government says it's needed to stop unfair trade practices, especially from China.
Many small packages come from China, and sometimes the value is not declared correctly to avoid paying duty.
This hurts local businesses in the UK.
The UK plans to eliminate the duty-free exemption for low-value imports (under £135) by March 2029.
A public consultation on the new arrangements is open until March 6, 2026.
The change aims to address the significant increase in low-value import volumes and potential unfair trade practices.
The US removed a similar exemption in August 2025.
Industry sources suggest the move is partly to curb the influx of under-declared small parcels from China.
- Who
- UK government
- What
- Plans to eliminate duty-free exemption for low-value imports (under £135)
- When
- By March 2029, with consultation ending March 6, 2026
- Where
- United Kingdom
- Why
- To address the significant increase in low-value import volumes and potential unfair trade practices
- Effective Date
- March 2029
- Current Exemption Threshold
- £135
- Consultation Period
- Until March 6, 2026
- Affected Goods
- Small parcels, food items, commercial samples
- US Exemption Removal
- August 2025
- Primary Concern
- Increase in low-value import volumes
- Impacted Countries
- China (major source of small parcels)