Buying Fashion From Overseas Online Stores: Sizing, Import Charges and Returns

Many of the fashion retailers with codes on Vouchvio — ChicMe, Stylewe, Noracora and JustFashionNow among them — ship internationally from warehouses outside the buyer's country, often in China. Their prices are low and their codes are generous, commonly 10–18% off sitewide or a fixed amount off above a basket value. But the code is the smallest number in the decision. Fit, delivery time, import charges and the return policy decide whether an order is actually cheap.

Sizing: ignore the letter, use the chart

Letter sizes (S, M, L) and numeric sizes vary between brands and between regions, and on marketplace-style stores such as Stylewe and JustFashionNow, items come from many separate designers whose sizing differs on the same site. Every product page has its own measurement chart. Use it:

• Measure a garment you already own that fits well, lying flat, and compare those numbers with the chart rather than your body measurements alone.
• Check whether the chart lists body measurements or garment measurements — they differ by the amount of ease in the cut.
• Read recent reviews for "runs small" or "runs large", and look at customer photos where available.

Ordering two sizes to return one is expensive on overseas stores, because return postage is usually paid by the buyer.

Delivery time

Overseas fashion stores separate processing time (making or picking the item) from shipping time. Together they are often two to four weeks. If you need something for a specific date, check both figures on the product page; a faster shipping option, when offered, often costs more than the code saves.

Import VAT and duty

What you pay on arrival depends on where you live:

• European Union. VAT is charged on all imports. For orders up to €150, stores registered for the EU's import scheme collect VAT at checkout, so the price you pay is final. Above €150, customs duty may apply and VAT and fees may be collected by the courier on delivery.
• United Kingdom. For orders up to £135, VAT is charged at checkout. Above that, VAT and possibly duty are collected on import.
• United States. The duty-free allowance for low-value parcels that many overseas stores relied on was withdrawn in 2025, so duties can apply to small orders. Check whether the store shows duties at checkout.

If the checkout does not mention VAT or duty, assume you may be charged on delivery, and include that in the comparison.

Returns: read the policy before you pay

Returns are where overseas fashion orders most often turn out badly:

• Who pays return postage. Usually the buyer, often to an overseas address. For a low-priced item, return postage can approach the item's price.
• Refund or store credit. Discounted items are sometimes refundable only as store credit, or exchangeable only.
• Final-sale items. Clearance stock, swimwear and underwear are often excluded from returns entirely.
• Window. Typically 14 to 30 days from delivery, sometimes from dispatch.

Using the code

Fashion codes usually come in two shapes: a sitewide percentage (for example 15% off everything) or threshold codes (for example $10 off $100, $25 off $200). Codes often exclude items already on sale, so check that the discount line appears on the payment screen. Some codes are for first orders only, and some are limited to the app.

Higher-value pieces

The Luxury Closet and The Deal Outlet sell designer and pre-owned luxury goods, where the discount matters less than provenance. Read the stated condition grade, what documentation comes with the item, the authentication process, and the return terms for pre-owned pieces, and include import duty on high-value goods.

Checklist

1. Measurements checked against the product's own chart.
2. Processing plus shipping time fits your date.
3. VAT and duty are either included or budgeted for.
4. Return postage, refund type and return window are acceptable.
5. The code is accepted on the payment screen.

Current codes for ChicMe, Stylewe, Noracora and JustFashionNow are on their store pages, taken from each retailer's affiliate feed and refreshed daily.