Domestic vs Global Shipping: Why We Use DDP and Break Down Every Fee

Shipping should feel simple. But if you’ve ever bought something from overseas and been hit with surprise fees at your doorstep, you’ll know that’s not always the case.

At George & Willy, we want to avoid that moment of frustration. That’s why we ship using DDP (Delivered Duties Paid) and show you all fees clearly at checkout, so there are no unexpected costs or confusion. In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between domestic and global shipping, why our UK customers appear to have higher shipping expenses, and why sending from our US warehouses to Canada comes with a higher price tag than you might expect.

Domestic Shipping: Simple, Fast, and Predictable

Shipping within the same country is usually smooth sailing. No customs, no duties, no surprise VAT charges. Delivery is faster and more cost-effective because packages don’t cross international borders.

For example, if you’re based in the US and ordering from our US warehouse, or in New Zealand, ordering from our Australian warehouse, everything is fairly straightforward.

Global Shipping: The Hidden Costs You Don’t See (Until They Arrive)

International shipping gets a bit trickier. Here’s why:

Import duties & VAT: Many countries charge taxes and import duties when products arrive. These can vary by product category and value.
Customs clearance fees: Couriers often add extra charges for processing your order through customs.
Currency exchange fees: Converting currencies can also quietly inflate the final cost.
Delivery delays: Customs processing can cause delays, especially if duties haven’t been prepaid.

This is where DDP comes in.

What Is DDP Shipping and Why Do We Use It?

We currently ship to the UK, all countries in the EU, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. We also have warehouses based in the EU, the US, and Australia. This means most of our shipping destinations don’t get stung with duties and taxes, but Canada and the UK are the exception.

To make things easier, we ship with DDP (Delivered Duties Paid), which means we cover all import fees upfront, so you don’t have to.

When you check out with us, the shipping cost includes customs duties, VAT, broker fees, and taxes (where applicable). You won’t be hit with a “pay this before delivery” notice or held-up parcels.

We use DDP because:

It’s transparent. You see all the costs at checkout.
It’s reliable. Your parcel won’t be stuck at customs.
It’s less stressful. No calls from couriers or surprise charges.

Yes, it can make international shipping appear more expensive—but that’s because nothing is hidden.

EU to UK Shipping: Why VAT Is Charged at Checkout

Since Brexit, the UK is no longer part of the EU’s free trade zone, which means UK customers must now pay VAT and import duties on orders from the EU.

We include UK VAT in the shipping fee, so:

You don’t have to deal with customs yourself.
Your parcel won’t be delayed or held for payment.
You get a final price upfront.

It might look like our EU-to-UK shipping is more expensive now, but it’s because we’re doing the legwork (and paying the fees) for you.

If you're a VAT-registered business in the UK, you can also claim the VAT back as part of your regular tax process. Reach out to us if you require your VAT invoice.