Ordering from outside the U.S.
We ship our jewelry worldwide, including Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Korea, Canada, and the European Union! 
Since international shipping varies by location, it’s not included in the total price. Reach out for a quick shipping quote before you order. A few friendly notes on international shipping:
- Local import taxes, customs duties, and carrier fees are the customer’s responsibility.
- We partner with top-tier armored carriers like Brink’s and Malca-Amit to help ensure your package travels safely and minimize customs delays.
- Some jewelry materials fall under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) rules, and most countries enforce these strictly. They include ivory, tortoiseshell, coral, and certain shells and pearls from protected species. If a piece contains any of these, you may need a permit. Leon Mege does not use these materials.
Shipping to the UK
Good news: We can ship your jewelry directly to the UK. Since your package is traveling across the pond from the US, UK customs requires import fees before handing over the sparkle. A quick heads-up on the fees charged by the UK government:
- Import Duty/Tax: 2.5% of your item’s value.
- VAT: 20% on incoming jewelry items.
- Customs Handling: Most local carriers charge a small $5–$10 administration fee to clear the package through customs.
The recipient pays these local charges directly once the shipment arrives in the UK. Let us know if you need any help estimating your totals before ordering!
Shipping to Australia
Shipping down under? Thanks to the US–Australia Free Trade Agreement, sending sparkle to Australia is often smooth sailing and, for many orders, completely tax-free! Here is the breakdown for Australian orders:
- Under AU $1,000: Orders valued up to AU $1,000 are completely exempt from import duties, GST, and processing fees!
- Over AU $1,000: Larger purchases are subject to Australia’s 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) plus a small import duty (averaging around 4.6%).
- How GST is calculated: GST is 10% of the total of the item value, import duty, and shipping/insurance costs.
Any local duties or GST for orders over AU $1,000 are collected upon delivery and are the recipient’s responsibility. Although jewelry itself is duty-free, other fees and taxes such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) are not exempt under AUSFTA. Under the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA), jewelry manufactured in the US qualifies for preferential duty-free status. The client is responsible for knowing this. Customs will charge duty unless the recipient specifically requests preferential tariff treatment. When the shipment arrives, the shipping carrier’s broker will claim duty-free status under AUSFTA, so as long as the carrier is notified in advance that the item qualifies, the importer can avoid the extra charge through a simple procedure upon arrival in Australia.
Generally, this leaves only a small brokerage fee and GST (in the past, GST was 10%)—no duty owed. The agreement applies broadly to virtually any piece of jewelry manufactured in the USA, regardless of where the raw materials originated. AUSFTA Article 5.12, “Claims for Preferential Treatment,” allows an importer to claim preferential treatment based on their own knowledge or information showing that the good qualifies as originating from the US. A party may require the importer to be ready to provide, upon request, a statement explaining why the good qualifies (including relevant cost and manufacturing details). This statement doesn’t need to follow a prescribed format and can be submitted electronically. Notably, Article 5.12 does not require a formal certificate of origin – the supporting information can take any form the manufacturer chooses, as long as it demonstrates compliance with AUSFTA’s rules of origin. Customs operates on a self-assessment basis and treats submitted information as accurate unless shown otherwise. When a customs entry claims the US preferential duty rate, it signals that the importer holds the knowledge or information required under Article 5.12(1) to support that declaration.
Shipping to Hong Kong As of October 2026.
We ship finished jewelry to Hong Kong. The shipping charges are the client’s responsibility. Customs duties, tariffs, taxes, or fees, if any, are also the client’s responsibility.
Hong Kong is a free port that charges no customs tariff, VAT, or GST on finished jewelry, including pieces in gold, platinum, silver, and set with diamonds or gemstones. You pay only for the jewelry and shipping. Hong Kong does not add a duty or tax bill on delivery. 
Duty-free does not mean declaration-free. Hong Kong generally requires an import declaration for commercial shipments, which is normally lodged within 14 days of arrival. Our courier handles this on most orders, and no duty applies. For personal purchases, exemptions may apply depending on the shipment. If a carrier asks for details to complete the declaration, such as your full name, address, phone number, or ID, please respond promptly to avoid delays. The couriers sometimes charge for services such as clearance handling, disbursement, or remote-area delivery. These are carrier fees, not government charges, and they vary by provider. Leon Mege does not cover these fees. They are the client’s responsibility.
- We declare every shipment accurately, including the true contents and value, on all customs documents. We cannot under-declare value or label jewelry as something else, even on request.
- We ship with insured, tracked, signature-required armored service such as Brink’s or Malca-Amit.
- We include a commercial invoice with every parcel.
Shipping onward to mainland China (read below)
Hong Kong’s duty-free status does not extend to mainland China. If you plan to carry or forward your jewelry across the border, mainland customs duties and taxes can apply. Orders shipped directly to mainland China follow different rules, so please contact us before ordering.
Keeping it smooth
- Provide a complete, accurate Hong Kong address and a working phone number.
- Keep your order confirmation and invoice until the jewelry arrives.
- If a carrier notice asks for payment or documents you don’t recognize, contact us before paying.
Rules and carrier practices change. This page is general information, not legal or customs advice. For specific questions, contact us at info@leonmege.com or the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department.
Shipping to Mainland China: Duties, Taxes & Fees as of October 2026
We can ship finished jewelry to mainland China (this excludes Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, which have separate rules). Unlike Hong Kong, mainland China charges import taxes on jewelry. Taxes are due by the recipient on delivery and are not included in your order total. Most jewelry orders shipped to individuals arrive through China’s personal postal articles system, which uses one combined rate that replaces separate import duty and VAT. Precious jewelry, jade, and gemstones fall into the highest category, which is currently 50% of the declared value.
The taxable value generally includes the price of the piece, plus shipping and insurance. Amounts under 50 RMB are exempt. For jewelry, that threshold is unlikely to apply. We declare the true contents and value of every shipment on all customs documents. We will refuse to declare a lower value, mark jewelry as “fashion accessories,” or split a shipment to reduce tax, even on request. China Customs takes undervaluation seriously and can seize items, impose fines, and deny the sender or recipient recourse.
For shipments treated as commercial, such as gifts or resale in larger quantities, or any order China Customs does not accept as personal use, the standard import stack applies instead. That includes import duty, 13% import VAT, and consumption tax on jewelry, and the total can differ from the personal rate.
Customs expects personal shipments to be reasonable in quantity and value, generally under 1,000 RMB in total. A single indivisible item above that amount, which describes most fine jewelry, can still clear as a personal article once you pay the applicable tax. Orders with several pieces for one recipient may receive more scrutiny.
Who pays and how
The recipient normally pays the tax directly to the carrier or customs before delivery. Leon Mege does not offer prepaid duties (DDP) to mainland China. Carriers typically add a disbursement fee for advancing the tax, often a small percentage of the tax amount or a minimum flat charge. Please budget this into your total.
The recipient needs to provide:
- A mainland China delivery address, with the recipient’s name matching their identification.
- A working mobile number.
- Courier clearance typically requires the recipient’s national ID number for real-name verification. Delays happen when this information is missing.
If a shipment is held or refused
Customs may hold a parcel for inspection, request documents, or require tax payment before release. If tax is not paid, or the recipient refuses delivery, the parcel can be returned to us or abandoned. Please contact us right away if you receive a clearance notice.
Before you order
- Check with your recipient that they are comfortable paying the import tax.
- Consider whether a Hong Kong delivery or hand-carry option would suit you better.
- Keep your invoice and order confirmation.
Rules, rates, and carrier practices change frequently. We give you general information, not legal advice. For specific questions, contact us at info@leonmege.com or consult China Customs (customs.gov.cn).
Shipping to South Korea as of October 2026
South Korea exempts personal-use shipments valued at or below USD 200 from customs duty and VAT for goods shipped from the United States under the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement. The exemption is based on the U.S. origin and applies only to personal-use items. We declare the true contents and value of every shipment on all customs documents. We will refuse to declare a lower value, describe jewelry as costume or fashion items, or split a shipment to stay under the threshold, even if requested. Korea Customs checks values, and under-declaration can lead to penalties, seizure, and loss of the item.
The recipient pays all duties and taxes to the carrier or customs. Leon Mege does not offer prepaid duties (DDP) to Korea. Carriers may add a brokerage or clearance fee. These fees are charged by the carrier, not by customs. Above the threshold, the recipient should expect to pay:
- Customs duty, which depends on the product classification. The average rate across goods is about 8%. Finished jewelry has its own rate, and a free trade agreement rate may apply to qualifying US-origin pieces. [Insert your confirmed rate for your jewelry classification.]
- 10% VAT, calculated on the customs value plus duty. The customs value generally includes the item price plus shipping and insurance.
- Possible additional consumption tax. Korea applies an extra tax to certain luxury goods, which can include high-value jewelry above a per-item price. If you ship pieces worth more than roughly KRW 5 million, contact us first so we can confirm.
Every order for personal imports requires a Personal Customs Clearance Code (PCCC) from the recipient; otherwise, the carrier can’t deliver it. Verification has become stricter in 2026. Passport numbers are no longer accepted as a substitute.
- The PCCC is a 13-digit code starting with “P”, issued free by the Korea Customs Service.
- Recipients can apply on the Korea Customs Service website.
- The name, phone number, and PCCC on the order must exactly match the registered details. Even small mismatches can cause multi-day holds.
Customs may hold a parcel for a missing or mismatched PCCC, request documents, or require payment before release. Held parcels may incur storage fees. If tax goes unpaid or delivery is refused, the parcel can be returned or abandoned.
- Get your PCCC before checkout if you don’t already have one.
- Make sure the delivery name matches your PCCC registration exactly.
- Keep your invoice and order confirmation.