VAT, customs duties, MRA — everything you need to know before ordering from Shein, Temu or any international site.
One of the biggest surprises for people shopping online from Mauritius is the customs bill that arrives with their parcel. You ordered something for Rs 800 — and suddenly the post office is asking you to pay extra before they hand it over. Sound familiar?
Understanding how customs and taxes work in Mauritius is the first step to shopping smarter. And with Paarsal, you never have to worry about any of it — we include everything upfront in your quote, so there are zero surprises at the door.
When you import goods into Mauritius from abroad, the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) applies two types of charges on your order:
| Tax | Rate | Applies to clothing? | Applies to everything else? |
|---|---|---|---|
| VAT | 15% | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Customs Duty | 10% | ✗ Exempt | ✓ Yes |
💡 Great news for fashion lovers — clothing is exempt from customs duty in Mauritius. You still pay 15% VAT, but you avoid the additional 10% customs charge. This makes Shein orders particularly cost-effective compared to other product categories.
Let's say you order from Shein: 3 dresses, 2 tops, and a pair of shoes worth Rs 500. Here's how the taxes break down:
This is exactly the kind of calculation Paarsal does for you before you pay anything. Your all-inclusive quote covers your items plus all applicable taxes — no nasty surprises at the door.
When you order directly from Shein or Temu to Mauritius, here's what commonly goes wrong:
⚠️ If you order restricted items (such as makeup, nail products or jewellery from Temu), they may be seized at customs. Always know what's allowed before you order — Paarsal reviews your cart before placing any order.
With Paarsal, customs is completely off your plate. Here's what we do:
Before you pay anything, we calculate the exact VAT and customs duties for your order. Your quote is all-inclusive — items, taxes, shipping, and Mauritius delivery.
All customs declarations and MRA documentation are managed entirely by Paarsal. You never have to fill a form or visit a customs office.
Once your parcel arrives in Mauritius, we handle the full customs clearance process. No queues, no stress, no delays on your end.
Once cleared, your parcel is delivered directly to your home or workplace anywhere in Mauritius — no collection required.
Send us your Shein or Temu cart — we handle taxes, customs, and delivery. One payment, zero stress.
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