Shipping & Import Duties
Last Updated: May 2026
1. How Are Shipping and Duties Calculated?
All Atlas PCB orders ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) via DHL Express. Import duties and taxes are calculated at checkout based on your shipping destination and PCB type, then included in your total. You will never be asked to pay anything additional upon delivery.
Pricing Formula
| Component | Formula |
|---|---|
| Base Shipping | DHL tiered weight-based rate (Zone 6 + fuel surcharge) |
| Import Duty | (Product Cost + Base Shipping) × country-specific duty rate |
| VAT / Tax | (Product Cost + Base Shipping + Duty) × country-specific VAT rate |
| Brokerage | max((Duty + VAT) × 2%, ¥150) converted to USD |
| Total Shipping | Base Shipping + Brokerage |
| You Pay | Product Cost + Duty + VAT + Total Shipping |
2. Duty & Tax Rates by Destination
Rates are automatically applied based on your shipping address:
| Destination | Duty Rate | VAT/Tax | Effective Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (complex PCB: 6+ layers, HDI, Rogers, flex) | 35% | 0% | ~35% |
| US (simple PCB: 2-4 layer FR-4) | 10% | 0% | ~10% |
| EU (Germany, France, etc.) | 2.6% | ~22% | ~25% |
| UK | 2.7% | 20% | ~23% |
| India | 7.5% | 18% | ~27% |
| Canada | 0% | 5% | ~5% |
| Japan | 0% | 10% | ~10% |
| South Korea | 0% | 10% | ~10% |
| Australia | 0% | 10% | ~10% |
For countries not listed above, we apply a conservative estimate (5% duty + 15% VAT). The DDP guarantee still applies — you pay only what’s shown at checkout.
3. Shipping Rate Reference
Shipping is calculated using DHL Express tiered pricing (Zone 6 + 47% fuel surcharge). Here are some example rates:
| Weight | Approx. Shipping (USD) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 kg | ~$34 |
| 1.0 kg | ~$45 |
| 2.0 kg | ~$67 |
| 5.0 kg | ~$132 |
| 10.0 kg | ~$239 |
| 20.0 kg | ~$442 |
| 30.0 kg | ~$352 |
Rates are tiered by 0.5 kg increments. 30+ kg: $11.96/kg. Exact cost is calculated at checkout.
4. Example Calculations
Example 1: Complex PCB to US
8-layer HDI PCB, $1,500 product cost, 2.0 kg estimated weight
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Shipping (2.0 kg DHL Zone 6) | $67.38 |
| Import Duty (($1,500 + $67.38) × 35%) | $548.58 |
| VAT (US: 0%) | $0.00 |
| Brokerage (max($548.58 × 2%, ¥150/7.2)) | $20.83 |
| Total Shipping ($67.38 + $20.83) | $88.21 |
| Checkout Total | $2,136.79 |
Example 2: Simple PCB to Germany
2-layer FR-4, $200 product cost, 0.5 kg estimated weight
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Shipping (0.5 kg DHL Zone 6) | $34.02 |
| Import Duty (($200 + $34.02) × 2.6%) | $6.08 |
| VAT (($200 + $34.02 + $6.08) × 22%) | $52.82 |
| Brokerage (max(($6.08+$52.82) × 2%, ¥150/7.2)) | $20.83 |
| Total Shipping ($34.02 + $20.83) | $54.85 |
| Checkout Total | $313.75 |
5. Shipping Details
- Carrier: DHL Express (worldwide)
- Transit time: 3–5 business days
- Rate: DHL Zone 6 tiered pricing + 47% fuel surcharge
- Packaging surcharge: +$2 for orders over 5 kg
- Tracking: Full tracking provided via DHL
Weight Estimation
Board weight is estimated from dimensions:
Weight = Area(cm²) × Thickness(cm) × 1.85 g/cm³ × 1.15 (packaging factor) × Quantity + 200g (box)Layer count does not affect weight — a 4-layer 1.6mm board weighs the same as a 2-layer 1.6mm board.
6. DDP — No Surprises
Under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms:
- All duties and taxes are pre-paid
- No customs paperwork for you
- No surprise charges at delivery
- No action needed on your part
- Package delivered directly to your door
7. What Documents Come With My Shipment?
Every shipment includes:
- Commercial Invoice (with declared value, HS code, origin country)
- Packing List (quantities, weights, descriptions)
- HS Code: 8534.00 (Printed Circuits)
- Country of Origin: China
8. Can I Use My Own Customs Broker?
For standard orders, we ship DDP and handle everything. If you are a business customer and prefer to manage your own import clearance, please contact us before ordering.
Contact
Shipping or duty questions?
- Email: support@atlaspcb.com
- Response time: Within 24 hours