Short answer: the recipient pays import duty and tax, not Aetheris. For a US delivery that currently adds roughly a quarter of the item value; the UK and EU add about the same once VAT is counted; Japan, Singapore and Taiwan are much lower. Aetheris pieces are made in Shenzhen, China and shipped from Hong Kong by tracked air.
| Destination | Import duty | VAT / GST | Rough total on a US$1,500 piece |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 5.5% gold or platinum, 5% silver, plus 7.5% and 12.5% China-origin tariffs | None at the border | About 26–27% incl. courier clearance fee |
| United Kingdom | 2% | 20% | About 24% |
| Germany | 2.5% | 19% | About 24% |
| France | 2.5% | 20% | About 25% |
| Canada (Ontario) | 6.5% gold or platinum, 8.5% silver | 13% HST | About 21–24% |
| Australia | 5% | 10% GST | About 21% |
| Japan | 5% on 60% of the value | 10% on 60% of the value | About 10% |
| Singapore | None | 9% GST | About 10% |
| Taiwan | None | 5% | About 6% |
| Hong Kong | None | None | 0% |
Rates checked on government tariff pages on 17 September 2026 and they change — confirm the current rate with your own customs authority or carrier before ordering. The US$800 US de minimis exemption is suspended.
From one harbor city to your door, light travels well.
Ordering fine jewelry from another country raises practical questions. How will it travel, what will shipping cost, and what happens when the parcel reaches customs? Aetheris is based in Hong Kong and ships to customers around the world, so these questions deserve plain answers. Nothing here replaces the official rules of your own country, but understanding the general shape of the process makes ordering from afar feel much simpler.
Where the journey begins
Each Aetheris piece is made to order, so shipping begins only once production is complete. Production takes 10 working days from order confirmation. The finished piece then leaves Hong Kong by air, with tracking, and it can be sent worldwide. As soon as it is dispatched, a tracking number arrives in your inbox.
When planning a gift or an occasion, count the production time first and then allow for the journey itself, which depends on your destination and on customs processing along the way. Leaving a comfortable margin is always wiser than counting on the fastest possible arrival.
Shipping rates, simply stated
One shipping rule applies across the whole store, with two services:
| Service | Rate | No shipping charge on orders of |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | HK$50 | HK$10,000 or more |
| Express | HK$200 | HK$15,000 or more |
In other words, Standard shipping is HK$50 and is free on orders of HK$10,000 or more, while Express shipping is HK$200 and is free on orders of HK$15,000 or more. If you shop in another currency, checkout shows the converted amount. Whichever service you select, the piece is still made to order first, so the choice concerns only the journey, not the ten working days of making. Full details are in our shipping policy.
Import duties and taxes
When a parcel crosses a border, the destination country may charge import duties, taxes or both. For Aetheris orders, these charges are paid by the recipient. Whether anything is due, and how much, is decided by the customs rules of your country, and it often depends on the declared value of the parcel and the kind of goods inside. Those rules, and any value thresholds attached to them, can change from time to time, so check them close to the date you order rather than relying on what applied to an earlier purchase.
Fine jewelry carries real value, so it is sensible to look up your own country's import rules before ordering, particularly for higher-value pieces. A little preparation helps in other ways too: check that your delivery address is complete, including any apartment number and postal code, and plan for someone to be available when a valuable parcel is due.
What customs or the carrier may ask of you
Procedures vary from country to country, but a few requests are common:
- Payment before release. The carrier or customs office may contact you to settle duties and taxes before the parcel is delivered.
- Contact details. An accurate phone number and email address at checkout help the carrier reach you quickly if anything is needed.
- Identification or a tax number. Some countries ask recipients to provide identification or a personal tax or customs number for imported goods.
- Proof of purchase. Customs may occasionally ask what the parcel contains or what was paid, so keep your order confirmation email at hand.
While the parcel travels, the tracking number lets you follow its progress between carriers and checkpoints. It is normal for updates to pause for a while, especially while customs in the destination country is processing the parcel, and the final stage may be handled by a local delivery company whose messages are worth watching for. Responding promptly to any request keeps things moving, since a parcel waiting on an answer is usually held until it is resolved.
When your parcel arrives
Once the parcel is in your hands, open it and look over the piece carefully. Should you find a defect, or damage from the journey, let us know within 7 days of delivery, including photos, and it will be repaired at no charge; our contact page shows how to reach us. Because every piece is made for its order, an order cannot be cancelled after production begins, and change-of-mind returns and refunds are not offered, as set out in our refund policy. If a question about diamond details comes up before you order, email aetheristechhk@gmail.com.
Choosing from anywhere
Distance changes very little about the pleasure of choosing. Browse all Aetheris designs, perhaps beginning with the Four-Prong Round Stud Earrings or a pendant set from the Neckline Sonnet necklace collection, and let the flight from Hong Kong be the last, quiet chapter before your piece of light arrives.