No Duties, No Problems For Solarglide’s EU Customers

No Duties For European Union Customers Purchasing Marine Blinds

At Solarglide, we supply high-quality marine screens and blinds across Europe. If you’re an EU-based customer considering a purchase from our UK headquarters, you might be wondering: Will I have to pay customs duties or lose money on VAT?

European Union Flag

Preferential Origin Agreement: No Customs Duties

Thanks to the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, goods that originate in the UK and meet the rules of origin criteria can be exported to the EU without incurring customs duties. What does this mean for you?

• Our screens and blinds are manufactured in the UK, so they qualify as UK-originating products.
• When shipped to EU countries, they benefit from zero tariffs under the preferential origin agreement.
• You won’t be charged customs duties on these products.

To benefit from this, we include a Statement on Origin with your invoice, which is all that’s needed to claim duty-free status.

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Import VAT: Fully Reclaimable

While import VAT may be charged by your local customs authority when goods arrive, this is not a cost you have to absorb:

• If you’re a VAT-registered business in the EU, reclaim import VAT through your local VAT return process.
• This is standard practice across EU member states and ensures that VAT is not a barrier to cross-border trade.

So while VAT may appear on your import paperwork, it’s not a loss—just a temporary accounting step.

Solarglide Marine Dimout Screens. Solarglide ©

DHL Customs Clearance Fee: What to Expect

While customs duties are waived, DHL may apply a small administration fee for handling customs clearance on your behalf. This is standard across international couriers.

• DHL typically charges 2% of the total duty and VAT amount, with a minimum fee of €16.50 (excluding VAT) at the time of writing (25th July 2025).
• This fee covers the service of advancing payment to customs and ensuring your goods clear smoothly.

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Seamless Shipping, Transparent Pricing

We work closely with our logistics partners to ensure:

• Clear documentation for customs clearance
• Accurate origin declarations
• Hassle-free delivery to your EU location

If you prefer to use your own customs broker, then you’re in control. If you’d rather not use DHL for customs clearance, you can appoint your own customs broker or agent to handle the process:

• This option may suit businesses with existing customs arrangements or those seeking more tailored support.
• Simply notify DHL in advance that you’ll be self-clearing, and provide your broker with the necessary documentation.
• Your broker will liaise with customs directly to ensure smooth clearance and delivery.

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Solarglide’s Commitment to You

Solarglide is committed to making international trade simple, transparent, and fair. We want our EU customers to feel confident that buying from the UK is just as easy as buying locally.

If you have any questions about documentation, VAT reclaim, or shipping, contact the team here to help.

Solarglide Limited is an international maritime blinds manufacturer providing manual and motorised blinds and window shading solutions for yachts and super yachts. Yacht builders, charterers and yacht owners select Solarglide, providing high quality products and solutions, great customer service and reliable on time deliveries. Find out more at

Solarglide Home Page or Contact : [email protected]

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