Taxes & Duties Policy

Last updated: November 2025

At a Glance

We do not charge Kenyan VAT on international orders
Some countries may apply local duties or taxes upon arrival, please check with your local customs office before completing your order
International customs charges are set by your customs authority, not Cinnabar Green
DHL will contact you directly when your order arrives in your country and will inform you if any payment is required
Kenya domestic orders are charged 16% VAT (included at checkout)

1. What Are Duties & Taxes?

Duties and taxes are government-regulated charges applied to imported goods.

They are not included in our product prices or shipping rates.

These fees may include:

Import duty
VAT / GST / sales tax
Customs processing fees
Clearance charges

Whether your parcel is charged depends entirely on your country’s import rules.

2. Who Pays Duties & Taxes?

For domestic Kenyan orders, all taxes are included in the price - there’s nothing extra to pay.

For international orders, any duties or taxes are set and collected by your local customs authority.

These charges are:

Outside our control
Not charged by Cinnabar Green
Payable by the purchaser to receive the parcel

If applicable, DHL will contact you directly when your order arrives in your country during delivery.

3. When Are Duties Charged?

Duties and taxes may be charged based on:

The value of your order
The quantity of items
Product type (natural oils & skincare are usually low-risk)
Thresholds set by your government

Some destinations apply no charges at all for orders below a specific value.

4. Country-Specific Guidance for Our Main Markets

These estimates are provided as general guidance. Your local customs authority has final decision-making power.

United States

Imports from Kenya (or any country), even if under US $800, will no longer automatically qualify for duty‑free entry. Such shipments are now subject to all applicable duties, taxes and fees, and must go through the regular customs entry process.
DHL rarely applies fees for low-value consumer goods

United Kingdom

Orders under £135 may incur VAT
Orders above £135 may incur VAT + small import duties
DHL will provide a breakdown if anything is owed

VAT at import is charged by UK Customs, not Cinnabar Green. We do not charge VAT on international orders.

Australia

GST charged on imports over AUD 1,000
Orders under AUD 1,000 usually pass without fees.

Canada

Duties or GST may apply depending on the province
DHL will notify you if any amounts are due.

United Arab Emirates

Duty rates are generally low
Skincare typically enters with minimal charges.

European Union

VAT may be collected at import depending on your country
DHL will contact you if payment is required
No VAT is charged by Cinnabar Green at checkout.

Rest of World

Import rules vary across countries.

If your country is not listed here, DHL will calculate any applicable fees on arrival.

5. Why Duties Are Not Included in Our Prices

We follow international ecommerce best practice:

Kenyan VAT is not charged on exports (0% VAT by law)
Foreign VAT/GST must be collected by the destination country
Charging VAT twice would be non-compliant.

This ensures your pricing is accurate and fair.

6. What Happens If You Refuse to Pay Duties?

If a parcel is rejected or returned due to unpaid customs charges:

DHL will return the parcel to Kenya
Return shipping + customs handling is deducted from your refund
Original shipping is non-refundable
A refund is processed once the parcel is received back at our warehouse.

To avoid delays, we recommend using an address where someone can receive delivery.

7. How DHL Contacts You

If duties or taxes are due, DHL will:

Notify you by SMS or email
Provide the exact amount
Offer a secure link to pay online
Release the parcel immediately once paid.

No payment is ever collected by Cinnabar Green.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do you mark parcels as gifts?

No - this is not allowed by customs regulations.

2. Can you estimate the duties before ordering?

Not precisely, as each country has its own rules. We provide general guidance above based on common thresholds.

3. Why didn’t I pay tax at checkout?

Because we do not charge VAT/GST on international orders - these are collected by your country if applicable.

4. Will my order definitely be charged duties?

Not always. Many parcels pass without any fees, especially in the US, UAE, and Australia.

5. Who can I contact with questions?

Email us at hello@cinnabargreen.com or call us on +254 743 618969.

9. Need Help?

If you’re unsure about duties for your country, or if your country isn’t available at checkout, we’re happy to help.