Importing a robot dog from China: the complete guide

Importing a robot dog from China can save you money on the purchase price, but the price you see on the website is not what you pay: VAT, duties, shipping and customs clearance get added to that figure, and you take on legal responsibility for the product's compliance. In practice the final cost in Europe is 25% to 50% higher than the foreign list price: VAT and duty alone account for 24–28%, the rest is shipping and customs clearance. In this guide we look at exactly how much and why, with a worked example for Italy, so you can decide knowingly whether to import yourself or buy from a European reseller.

The costs that get added to the price

1. Import VAT (22% in Italy)

It is the heaviest and most unavoidable item. VAT applies on import and is calculated on the value of the goods plus shipping (plus duties). In Italy it is 22%; elsewhere in Europe between 17% and 27%. On a €2,600 robot that means about €600–700.

2. Customs duties

Duties depend on the customs classification of the product (the TARIC code it is declared under). The heading most used for a quadruped robot is 8479.50 "industrial robots", with a 1.7% duty; if it is classified as a motorised toy (heading 9503) the rate rises to 4.7%. Identifying the correct code is essential: a wrong classification can lead to penalties or the goods being held at customs. If in doubt, get help from a customs broker.

3. Shipping and customs clearance

A robot dog is heavy (often 15 kg or more) and bulky. Shipping from China and customs paperwork have a cost that is far from negligible, and it needs to be budgeted with the rest.

4. CE marking: the responsibility you take on

This is the point almost nobody explains. When you import a product from outside the EU, in the eyes of European law you become the party "responsible" for its compliance, a bit as if you were the manufacturer. This means the product must have:

• the CE marking correctly affixed;
• the EU declaration of conformity;
• the user manual in your country's language;
• the technical documentation (test reports) proving compliance with the applicable rules: typically the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (replaced by the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 from 20 January 2027), electromagnetic compatibility and, for Wi-Fi and 4G, the Radio Equipment Directive.

Customs authorities can hold, seize or destroy a non-compliant shipment. Importing non-compliant products is illegal and can lead to penalties. Many Chinese manufacturers do not supply adequate documentation for the European market as standard: check before you buy.

Worked example: what it really costs

Take a robot dog bought for €2,600 from abroad, shipped to Italy (a Unitree Go2 Pro costs $2,800, about €2,580). Assume shipping with customs clearance of €450 and, to be prudent, the 4.7% duty of the "motorised toys" heading (under heading 8479.50 it would be 1.7%). Duty is calculated on the value of the goods plus shipping.

The same "€2,600" robot therefore ends up costing almost €3,900: practically as much as a Go2 Pro from a European reseller (about €3,800 incl. VAT, Generation Robots, checked on 18 September 2026). The figure changes with the actual duty and the courier's real costs, but this is the order of magnitude. (On Robolero you will find a calculator that makes this estimate automatically, for 65 countries.)

Is it better to import or buy in the EU?

It depends on what you are looking for.

Importing yourself pays off if: you want the lowest possible price, you can handle customs paperwork (or use a broker) and you accept dealing with any support and warranty issues on your own.

Buying from a European reseller pays off if: you want peace of mind. You pay more, but you get warranty, support, CE compliance already in order and zero customs risk. If the robot breaks, you have someone to talk to at home instead of shipping parts to China.

For most private buyers, the small saving from importing does not make up for the risks and the time. For those buying several units or with technical skills, importing can make sense.

Checklist before importing

1. Check that the seller provides CE marking, declaration of conformity and a manual in your language.
2. Ask for the test reports (Machinery Directive, EMC).
3. Identify the correct customs code and estimate the duty.
4. Budget for VAT (22% in Italy) + duty + shipping + customs clearance.
5. Consider a customs broker to avoid mistakes.
6. Check support and spare parts: who repairs the robot if it breaks down?

Frequently asked questions

How much customs do you pay on a robot from China? You pay import VAT (22% in Italy) plus duty (1.7% under heading 8479.50, up to 4.7% as a motorised toy), plus shipping and clearance. In total the final cost is generally 25% to 50% higher than the foreign price.

Does a robot dog need CE marking? Yes. To be sold and used in the EU it must be compliant and CE-marked. When you import, it is up to you to make sure it is.

Can I import a robot dog for personal use without problems? Customs, VAT and any duties apply to personal use too. CE compliance concerns placing the product on the EU market: to avoid risks, buy products that are already compliant.

Is it better to buy on Amazon or from a local reseller? Often yes, for peace of mind: price inclusive of VAT, warranty, support and no customs paperwork on your side.

This guide is for information purposes and does not constitute legal or customs advice. For import operations, always check the current regulations and rely on a professional.

About to buy a robot dog? On Robolero you compare new and used prices, with the deal rating on every listing and the real landed cost in your country. So you always know whether you are getting a good deal — with no surprises at customs.