Shipping British Luxury Worldwide: What You Need to Know

Shipping British Luxury Worldwide: What You Need to Know

Acquiring a piece of genuine British craftsmanship from thousands of miles away is, for many of our clients, a thoroughly considered decision. The object has been chosen with care. The maker has been vetted. The commission has been placed. And then comes the question that follows almost every international enquiry we receive: how does it actually get here?

It is a fair question, and one that deserves a thorough answer. Whether you are furnishing a residence in Dubai, completing an interior project in New York, or sourcing a singular gift for a collector in Sydney, the logistics of moving high-value British goods across international borders involves customs classifications, import duties, and a level of coordination that should never be an afterthought. We treat it as a core part of the service.

Why International Shipping for Luxury Goods Is More Complex Than It Appears

Shipping a handcrafted Chesterfield sofa or a sterling silver piece from a maker on the Strand is not comparable to dispatching a parcel through a standard courier. The value of the item, its material composition, its country of origin, and its declared purpose at the point of import all carry weight with customs authorities in the destination country.

Each territory operates under its own import framework. Duty rates, VAT equivalents, and customs thresholds differ significantly between the UAE, the United States, and Australia, and errors at this stage can lead to delays, unexpected charges for the client, or in rare cases, items being held at the border. Our role is to ensure none of that happens.

Shipping to the UAE

The UAE remains one of our most active international markets, and it is a territory we understand well. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) applies a standard customs duty of 5% on most imported goods, calculated against the CIF value (cost of the item plus insurance and freight). For furniture, homewares, and luxury accessories, this rate typically applies without additional complications, provided documentation is accurate and complete.

VAT in the UAE sits at 5%, introduced in 2018, and applies to most goods entering the country. Clients based in Dubai or Abu Dhabi should factor this into their total landed cost at the point of enquiry, and we make this transparent before any order is confirmed.

One practical consideration worth noting: the UAE customs authority places significant emphasis on the accuracy of commercial invoices and certificates of origin. For British-made goods, we provide full provenance documentation as standard, which supports both customs clearance and the integrity of what you are acquiring.

Shipping to the United States

The United States presents a more layered customs environment, particularly given the trade policy shifts that have occurred over recent years. As of mid-2026, tariff classifications under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) remain the primary mechanism for determining duty rates, and the applicable percentage varies considerably depending on what is being imported.

Upholstered furniture, for instance, carries different duty implications to sterling silverware or fine art. Art and antiques frequently benefit from preferential treatment under US customs law, while furniture and decorative objects are assessed individually. For high-value single acquisitions above the de minimis threshold of $800 USD, a formal entry process is required, and our concierge service manages this in full.

Clients in the US should also be aware of state-level sales tax, which may apply at the point of delivery depending on the state of import and the nature of the goods. We advise on this during the enquiry process so there are no surprises at the point of receipt.

For clients working with interior designers or architects on project-led acquisitions, we are experienced in coordinating freight forwarding to design trade warehouses and white-glove delivery partners across major US cities.

Shipping to Australia

Australia operates under a straightforward import framework for most luxury goods, administered by the Australian Border Force. A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% applies to imported goods above the AUD $1,000 threshold, and customs duty rates vary by product category under the Australian Customs Tariff.

British-made furniture and homeware typically fall within duty bands of 0% to 5%, and sterling silver items are generally assessed at the lower end of that range. For fine art and original works, Australia applies a 0% customs duty rate, which makes the country a particularly straightforward destination for art acquisitions.

Where size and weight are relevant (as they invariably are for significant furniture pieces), we coordinate specialist international freight with appropriate crating, climate control, and insurance from the point of collection in the UK through to the client's front door. White-glove delivery is arranged through trusted Australian partners with experience handling high-value goods.

What Our Export Concierge Service Covers

Every international order we manage is handled through our bespoke export concierge service. This is not a standard shipping option added at checkout. It is a coordinated process that begins at the moment of enquiry and does not conclude until the piece has been received, inspected, and confirmed to your satisfaction.

In practice, this means we handle the following on your behalf:

Commercial invoice preparation and customs documentation, including accurate HS code classification for the goods being shipped. Certificates of British provenance, confirming the maker, materials, and origin of each piece. Freight coordination, from the maker's studio or workshop to your specified destination, using carriers with established track records in high-value goods logistics. Insurance coverage appropriate to the declared value of the item throughout transit. Delivery coordination with white-glove partners in market, where required.

We also advise on duty optimisation where legitimate mechanisms exist. For example, certain categories of goods qualify for preferential treatment under trade agreements, and where this applies, we ensure it is applied correctly.

The Question of Pricing and Total Landed Cost

When clients enquire about an item, we provide a full landed cost estimate that accounts for freight, insurance, duties, and applicable taxes in the destination country. Transparency at this stage is non-negotiable for us. A piece priced in GBP at the point of acquisition will carry additional costs by the time it arrives in Dubai, Los Angeles, or Melbourne, and our clients deserve to understand those costs before committing.

This is one of the reasons we work on a project-led, consultative basis rather than through a self-service checkout process. The conversation about logistics is as important as the conversation about the object itself.

If you are considering an acquisition and have questions about how the process works for your specific location, we welcome you to visit EB London and reach out directly. Our team is available by phone, email, and WhatsApp, and we work by appointment for clients who wish to discuss a commission or project in person at our London office.