US Tariffs & Import Costs (Orders to the United States)

Updated: 29 August 2025

Every Alex Monroe piece is handmade in England and shipped with care from our UK workshop. From 29 August 2025, the United States ended its “de minimis” allowance, which means all overseas parcels can now be charged import duties and fees regardless of value. To keep things simple for you, we include the US import duty (currently 10%) in your shipping price. When your parcel reaches the US, USPS may collect any local state sales tax before completing delivery.

What changed in 2025?

De minimis $800 threshold removed: Until August 2025, US orders under $800 entered duty-free. This exemption has now ended, so all orders — large or small — are charged import duties.
“Reciprocal” tariffs: Jewellery handmade in England, whether in solid gold or sterling silver with gold plate, is now subject to currently 10% duty.
Duties included in shipping: Previously, duties on higher-value orders were collected by USPS before delivery. Now, we add the currently 10% duty directly to your shipping cost, so you won’t face extra duty requests at the door.
Local sales tax: USPS may still collect state or local sales tax before completing delivery. This is separate from the duty already included in your shipping price.

What you’ll pay with us

Import duty: Included in our shipping charge (we factor in currently 10%).
Local sales tax: Not included; USPS may collect this based on your delivery address.
No surprise duty bills: If you’re asked to pay duty again, please contact us and we’ll help.

Delivery flow

We carefully pack your handmade in England jewellery and dispatch with Royal Mail from the UK.
Your parcel transfers to USPS when it arrives in the United States.
USPS may request local state sales tax, then completes your delivery.

For shipping services, estimated timings and packaging details, see our Delivery Information. You’re currently on our US Tariffs & Import Costs page for the latest on duties and taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers about the new US import rules — what we include in shipping, what USPS may collect, and how delivery works for jewellery handmade in England.

Why am I seeing a USPS request for payment?

This is typically local state or local sales tax, which isn’t included in our product or shipping price. Your US import duty is already included within our shipping charge.

How much tax will I pay?

It depends on your delivery address and state rules. USPS (or their online portal) will show the exact amount before delivery.

Are there any other fees at delivery?

USPS may charge a small processing/collection fee when taking local sales tax. We do not add any further admin fees at the door.

What if USPS asks me to pay import duty as well?

Because we include the current US import duty within your shipping price, duty shouldn’t be charged again. If you receive a notice requesting duty, please contact us and share your order number and the USPS reference so we can resolve it.

Does this affect returns or exchanges?

Returns to the UK follow our standard policy. Any local sales tax collected by USPS is administered by US authorities and isn’t refunded by us. For shipping info, see our Delivery Information.

Does jewellery type change the duty I pay?

Whether you choose a piece in solid gold or in sterling silver with gold plate, our jewellery falls under the US tariff codes for precious-metal jewellery (HS 7113). Under the current rules, both categories attract the same duty rate (currently 10%), which we’ve already included in your shipping price. Any local sales tax that may be collected by USPS is separate and depends on your delivery address.

Need a hand with anything else? Our Customer Care team would love to help.

Contact Customer Care