The commercial invoice value of your goods (excluding shipping).
%
Enter the percentage rate found in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
$
Required to calculate the full Landed Cost.
$
Estimated Merchandise Processing Fee or Customs Broker fees.
Please enter valid numerical values for the Value and Duty Rate.
Value of Goods:$0.00
Estimated Duty (Tariff):$0.00
Shipping & Insurance:$0.00
Other Fees:$0.00
Total Landed Cost:$0.00
*Estimates only. Actual duty determined by CBP upon entry.
function calculateDuty() {
var valInput = document.getElementById("declaredValue");
var rateInput = document.getElementById("dutyRate");
var shipInput = document.getElementById("shippingCost");
var feesInput = document.getElementById("extraFees");
var resultBox = document.getElementById("resultBox");
var errorMsg = document.getElementById("errorMsg");
// Get values
var val = parseFloat(valInput.value);
var rate = parseFloat(rateInput.value);
var ship = parseFloat(shipInput.value);
var fees = parseFloat(feesInput.value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(val) || val < 0 || isNaN(rate) || rate < 0) {
errorMsg.style.display = "block";
resultBox.style.display = "none";
return;
}
// Handle empty optional fields
if (isNaN(ship)) ship = 0;
if (isNaN(fees)) fees = 0;
errorMsg.style.display = "none";
// Calculation Logic
// US Customs Duty is calculated on FOB value (Value of Goods)
// It does not typically include CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) in the duty base calculation for the US, unlike VAT countries.
var dutyAmount = val * (rate / 100);
// Total Landed Cost = Value + Duty + Shipping + Fees
var totalLanded = val + dutyAmount + ship + fees;
// Formatting currency
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
});
// Update DOM
document.getElementById("resValue").innerHTML = formatter.format(val);
document.getElementById("resDuty").innerHTML = formatter.format(dutyAmount);
document.getElementById("resShip").innerHTML = formatter.format(ship);
document.getElementById("resFees").innerHTML = formatter.format(fees);
document.getElementById("resTotal").innerHTML = formatter.format(totalLanded);
// De Minimis Note Check
// Section 321: Free of duty if under $800 fair retail value
if (val <= 800) {
var note = " (Likely Duty Free under Section 321)";
document.getElementById("resDuty").innerHTML += note;
}
resultBox.style.display = "block";
}
Understanding US Import Duty Rates and Landed Cost
When importing goods into the United States, calculating the estimated duty rate is critical for determining your profit margins and final pricing strategy. Unlike simple sales tax, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) duties are complex assessments based on the category of goods, their value, and their country of origin. This US Duty Rate Calculator helps importers estimate the total landed cost of their shipments before they arrive at the port of entry.
The De Minimis Rule (Section 321): Generally, if the fair retail value of a shipment imported by one person on one day is $800 or less, it may be imported free of duty and tax. This calculator provides standard duty estimates; however, shipments under this threshold often enter duty-free.
How is US Import Duty Calculated?
The United States generally assesses customs duties on an Ad Valorem basis, which means the duty is a percentage of the value of the goods. However, it is important to distinguish which "value" is used.
Unlike many European countries that calculate duty on the CIF value (Cost, Insurance, and Freight), the US Customs normally calculates duty based on the FOB (Free on Board) value. This means you usually pay duty only on the cost of the goods themselves, not on the cost of international shipping or insurance, provided these costs are clearly separated on the commercial invoice.
The basic formula used in our calculator is:
Duty Amount = Declared Value of Goods × (Duty Rate / 100)
Total Landed Cost = Value of Goods + Duty Amount + Shipping + Other Fees
Finding Your HTS Code
To use this calculator accurately, you need the correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code for your product. The HTS code determines the specific duty percentage.
Search the HTS: Visit the official US International Trade Commission (USITC) website to search for your product.
General Rates: Most imports from countries with normal trade relations fall under "General" rates.
Special Rates: If your goods originate from a country with a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US (e.g., USMCA), the rate may be 0% or reduced.
Section 301 Tariffs: Be aware of additional tariffs (e.g., on certain goods from China) which may add 7.5% to 25% on top of the standard HTS rate.
Additional Fees to Consider
While the duty rate covers the tariff, other fees often apply to formal entries (shipments valued over $2,500):
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): For formal entries, this is an ad valorem fee (typically 0.3464%) with a minimum and maximum cap. For informal entries (under $2,500), it is usually a small fixed fee.
Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): If your goods arrive via ocean freight at US ports, an HMF of 0.125% of the cargo value applies.
Brokerage Fees: If you use a Customs Broker to clear your goods, they will charge a service fee.
Using this calculator allows you to input these "Other Fees" to get a comprehensive view of your Total Landed Cost, ensuring no financial surprises when your goods clear customs.