Buying in a foreign online store may be significantly more expensive due to VAT and customs duties. The amount of VAT and customs depend on the price of the shipment, the type of goods and also from which country the goods are sent.
The simplest situation is when ordering from an e-shop that sends goods from the Member States of the European Union. As this is a single customs and tax area, consignments are not subject to customs clearance and VAT. However, the consumer should also be careful when ordering from online shops in the European Union. It is not so important that the seat of the e-shop is in the EU, but where the goods come from. If the goods travel from outside the EU, it automatically falls under the administration of the customs office. In addition, many Chinese e-shops may appear to be from the EU.