New Jersey or Delaware: Which Meest Shopping Warehouse Should You Choose?
When shopping online in the United States with Meest Shopping, you can choose between two U.S. warehouse addresses:
- New Jersey
- Delaware
Both addresses allow you to shop at American online stores that may not deliver directly to your country. However, the best warehouse for your order may depend on the type of product you are purchasing, the sales tax applied by the store, and the total value of your order.
Understanding the difference can help you reduce unnecessary costs and make your U.S. shopping experience more efficient.
The Main Difference: U.S. Sales Tax
In the United States, sales tax is usually calculated according to the delivery address entered during checkout.
This means that the same product may have a different final price depending on whether you send it to the Meest Shopping warehouse in New Jersey or Delaware.
The price displayed on a store’s product page often does not include sales tax. The final tax amount is normally calculated at checkout after you enter your shipping address.
Meest Shopping Warehouse in Delaware
Delaware does not impose a state or local sales tax. Therefore, when an online store ships an eligible purchase to your Meest Shopping address in Delaware, sales tax is generally not added to the order.
This can make the Delaware warehouse a good choice for products that are normally taxable in New Jersey.
Products That May Be More Cost-Effective Through Delaware
Consider using the Delaware warehouse when ordering:
- Electronics
- Laptops and tablets
- Smartphones and smartwatches
- Headphones and gaming equipment
- Cosmetics and beauty tools
- Handbags and fashion accessories
- Jewelry and watches
- Home and kitchen products
- Toys
- Sports equipment
- Collectibles
- Other high-value taxable merchandise
The higher the order value, the greater the potential tax savings may be.
For example, New Jersey’s general sales tax rate is 6.625%. A taxable purchase worth $500 could therefore include approximately $33.13 in New Jersey sales tax, depending on how the retailer classifies the product.
When the same eligible purchase is delivered to Delaware, the retailer would generally not add state or local sales tax.
Important: Delaware Orders Are Transferred to New Jersey
Meest Shopping international shipments are dispatched from the New Jersey warehouse.
Therefore, packages delivered to the Delaware address must first be transported internally from Delaware to New Jersey.
A small transfer fee is charged for this service. The transfer may also add some processing time before the package becomes available for international shipment.
When choosing the Delaware warehouse, compare:
- The sales tax you may save
- The transfer fee
- Any additional processing time
For expensive electronics, jewelry, home goods, or several consolidated purchases, the tax savings will be significantly higher than the transfer fee.
Meest Shopping Warehouse in New Jersey
New Jersey applies a general sales tax rate of 6.625% to most tangible products, specified digital products, and certain services unless a particular exemption applies.
However, several common product categories are exempt from New Jersey sales tax.
The New Jersey warehouse can therefore be the more convenient choice when you are purchasing tax-exempt items.
Clothing and Footwear Are Generally Tax-Free in New Jersey
Most clothing and footwear intended for human use are exempt from New Jersey sales tax.
This commonly includes:
- Dresses
- Shirts and T-shirts
- Sweaters
- Jeans and trousers
- Jackets and coats
- Underwear
- Children’s clothing
- Everyday shoes
- Sneakers
- Boots
- Sandals
For these products, sending an order directly to the New Jersey warehouse may be the most practical option.
You can generally avoid sales tax while also avoiding the additional transfer fee and processing time associated with the Delaware warehouse.
Not Every Fashion Product Is Tax-Free
The New Jersey clothing exemption does not apply to every item associated with fashion or personal use.
Certain products may still be taxable, including:
- Handbags
- Wallets
- Jewelry
- Watches
- Sunglasses
- Hair accessories
- Umbrellas
- Luggage
- Sports equipment
- Protective equipment
- Certain specialized athletic gear
- Fur clothing
New Jersey’s official guidance states that the clothing exemption does not generally include clothing accessories or equipment, sports or recreational equipment, protective equipment, or fur clothing.
For these items, the Delaware warehouse may provide better savings.
Other Products That May Be Tax-Exempt in New Jersey
In addition to most clothing and footwear, New Jersey exempts several other categories from sales tax.
These may include:
- Most food purchased for home consumption
- Prescription drugs for human use
- Qualifying over-the-counter drugs
- Certain medical supplies
- Certain feminine hygiene products
- Some household paper products
Official New Jersey guidance confirms exemptions for categories including food purchased for home consumption, clothing, footwear, prescription drugs, and qualifying over-the-counter drugs.
However, many of these products may be restricted, prohibited, temperature-sensitive, or unsuitable for international shipping.
Always check the Meest Shopping prohibited and restricted items list before ordering food, medicine, medical products, liquids, aerosols, or other regulated goods.
When Should You Choose the New Jersey Warehouse?
The New Jersey warehouse is usually the better option when:
- You are buying regular clothing
- You are buying everyday footwear
- Your products are exempt from New Jersey sales tax
- The potential tax saving in Delaware is lower than the transfer fee
- You want the package to be processed for international delivery sooner
- You want to avoid an additional warehouse transfer
Example
You purchase a pair of everyday sneakers for $120.
Because most footwear is exempt from New Jersey sales tax, the store may charge:
Product price: $120
New Jersey sales tax: $0
In this case, shipping directly to the New Jersey warehouse is likely more convenient because using Delaware would not provide a meaningful tax advantage.
When Should You Choose the Delaware Warehouse?
The Delaware warehouse is usually worth considering when:
- You are buying electronics
- You are ordering cosmetics or beauty devices
- You are purchasing handbags, watches, or jewelry
- You are ordering home goods or toys
- You are buying sports or protective equipment
- You are placing a high-value taxable order
- The estimated tax saving is higher than the Delaware transfer fee
Example
You purchase a laptop for $1,000.
If the product is delivered to New Jersey and taxed at 6.625%, the estimated sales tax may be:
Product price: $1,000
Estimated New Jersey sales tax: $66.25
Estimated total: $1,066.25
If the order is shipped to Delaware, state and local sales tax is generally not added:
Product price: $1,000
Estimated Delaware sales tax: $0
In this example, the Delaware warehouse may be the more cost-effective choice, even after the internal transfer fee is added.
Shop Smarter with Two U.S. Addresses
Having access to both New Jersey and Delaware gives you more flexibility when shopping in the United States.
Use the New Jersey warehouse for most clothing, footwear, and purchases that are already exempt from New Jersey sales tax.
Use the Delaware warehouse for electronics, accessories, cosmetics, home goods, and other taxable purchases when the potential tax saving is higher than the warehouse transfer fee.
Before every purchase, compare the final checkout totals for both addresses. A few minutes of comparison can help you choose the most cost-effective option for your order.
With Meest Shopping, you can shop from American online stores, select the most convenient U.S. warehouse, consolidate your purchases, and arrange delivery directly to your country.
Register with Meest Shopping, receive your personal U.S. addresses, and start shopping smarter.
Sales tax rules, product classifications, retailer policies, fees, and exemptions may change. The final sales tax is determined by the retailer at checkout. Always review your order total and the current Meest Shopping rates before completing a purchase.
