The £135 rule in plain terms
Since Brexit, the UK has its own rules for parcels from abroad, and one number matters most: £135. For goods in a parcel worth up to £135, UK VAT at 20% is meant to be charged at the point of sale, by the seller or platform, rather than collected at the border. Above £135, the normal import process applies: import VAT, plus customs duty where it's due, collected at import.
| Parcel value | VAT | Duty |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £135 | 20%, charged at the point of sale | Generally not charged |
| Above £135 | Import VAT due at import | Customs duty where applicable |
For agent parcels, what matters is whether your line collects the VAT upfront. If it does, delivery should be straightforward. If it doesn't, Royal Mail or the courier may ask you to pay VAT and a handling fee before releasing the parcel.
Under £135, choose a line that collects UK VAT upfront; above it, expect charges at import.
Royal Mail lines and express options
Many agents offer UK lines that hand parcels to Royal Mail for the final leg, which is popular for its price and familiar tracking. Community comparisons in 2026 have cited agents such as Sugargoo for some of the cheapest Royal Mail rates. Express lines with DHL, FedEx or UPS are faster but cost more per kilo, and the courier often collects import charges before delivery. On Oopbuy, compare the UK lines offered when you submit a parcel, with the total including VAT.
Royal Mail-based lines for value, express for speed; compare totals including VAT.
Delivery times to London
Allow about a week for items to reach the warehouse and pass QC, then the line's transit time: roughly one to two weeks on express, longer on economy and Royal Mail-based lines. Customs checks and peak periods, especially Chinese New Year and November to December, add delays. The shipping time guide explains each stage, and tracking often goes quiet mid-journey before UK scans appear.
Two to five weeks door to door is a realistic plan for UK parcels.
Avoiding surprise charges
- Keep parcels under £135 when it makes sense, and choose a line that charges VAT upfront.
- Read the line description for "VAT included" or similar wording before paying.
- Reduce volume to bring the shipping cost down; see the shipping calculator.
- Only pay genuine notices. Royal Mail and couriers send fee notices with a tracking number; scam texts imitate them. Check the tracking number matches your agent's.
Upfront VAT and genuine-notice checks prevent most UK surprises.
Returns from the UK
Once an agent parcel has reached the UK, returning an item to a Chinese seller is usually impractical: international return postage often costs more than the item. That makes the QC stage, before the parcel leaves the warehouse, the moment to catch problems. Check sizes against the seller's chart, ask for extra photos at ¥1 if you need them, and request any return within Oopbuy's 5-day window after storage. The QC guide explains how.
For UK buyers, returns happen at QC, not after delivery.
Customs and trademark seizures
UK Border Force can detain goods that infringe trademarks, and money for a seized parcel is usually lost; line insurance often excludes seizures. Read the line's insurance terms and know what you're ordering.
Customs rules apply to the item; insurance rarely covers seizures.
Getting started from London
Browse the finds above or on the Oopbuy spreadsheet, read how to order from Oopbuy, and compare UK-friendly agents such as Sugargoo on the agent index. Add your address with a UK phone number and postcode in the correct field.
FAQ
Do I pay VAT on Oopbuy parcels to the UK?
Yes. UK VAT is 20%. For parcels up to £135, VAT is charged at the point of sale; above £135, import VAT and any duty are due at import.
What is the £135 rule?
Goods in parcels worth up to £135 have VAT collected when you pay, rather than at the border. Above £135, the normal import process applies.
Which lines are popular for the UK?
Royal Mail-based lines are widely used for UK agent parcels because of price and tracking within the UK. Express lines with couriers are faster but usually cost more.
Why did Royal Mail ask me to pay a fee?
If import VAT or duty wasn't paid upfront, Royal Mail or the courier collects it before delivery, often with a handling fee.
How long does shipping to London take?
Allow about a week to reach the warehouse, then roughly one to two weeks on express or longer on economy and Royal Mail-based lines.