US Customs Duty Calculator
Estimate the duties and fees you might owe when importing goods into the United States.
Air Freight
Ocean Freight
Estimated Import Costs:
Dutiable Value: $0.00
Customs Duty: $0.00
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): $0.00
Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): $0.00
Total Estimated Import Costs: $0.00
Understanding US Customs Duty and Import Fees
When importing goods into the United States, various duties and fees may apply, collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These charges are crucial to factor into the total cost of your imported items, whether for personal use or commercial purposes. Our US Customs Duty Calculator helps you estimate these costs based on common import parameters.
What is Customs Duty?
Customs duty is a tariff or tax imposed on goods when transported across international borders. The purpose of customs duty is to protect each country's economy, residents, jobs, environment, etc., by controlling the flow of goods, especially restrictive and prohibited goods, and by collecting revenue.
Key Components of Import Costs:
- Dutiable Value: This is the value on which customs duty is calculated. It typically includes the price paid for the goods, plus certain costs like international shipping, international insurance, packing costs, and commissions. CBP uses specific valuation methods, with the "transaction value" (the price actually paid or payable for the merchandise) being the most common.
- Customs Duty Rate: The percentage rate of duty is determined by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Every imported product has a specific HTS code, which dictates its duty rate. These rates can vary significantly based on the product type and its country of origin (e.g., free trade agreements can result in lower or zero duty rates). For this calculator, you'll need to input an estimated duty rate, which you can typically find by researching the HTS code for your specific product.
- Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): This fee is charged by CBP for processing most formal and informal entries of imported merchandise.
- Formal Entries (goods valued at $2,500 or more): The MPF is 0.346% of the total dutiable value, with a minimum of $31.67 and a maximum of $614.35 (as of 2024).
- Informal Entries (goods valued under $2,500): The MPF is a flat fee, typically $6.30 for automated entries (as of 2024).
- Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): This fee applies to imports arriving by ocean vessel at certain U.S. ports. It is 0.125% of the dutiable value of the cargo. HMF does not apply to air freight shipments.
How to Use the Calculator:
To get an accurate estimate, you'll need to provide:
- Value of Goods: The price you paid for the items.
- International Shipping Cost: The cost to transport the goods to the U.S.
- International Insurance Cost: Any insurance costs for the international leg of the journey.
- Estimated Duty Rate: This is the most variable part. You'll need to research the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code for your specific product to find the applicable duty rate. Many online resources and customs brokers can help with HTS classification.
- Shipment Type: Select whether your goods are arriving by air or ocean freight, as this impacts the Harbor Maintenance Fee.
Example Scenarios:
Scenario 1: Importing a Camera via Air Freight
- Value of Goods: $1,500
- International Shipping Cost: $50
- International Insurance Cost: $10
- Estimated Duty Rate (e.g., for cameras): 4.2%
- Shipment Type: Air Freight
- Calculation:
- Dutiable Value: $1,500 + $50 + $10 = $1,560
- Customs Duty: $1,560 * 0.042 = $65.52
- MPF (Informal Entry < $2,500): $6.30
- HMF (Air Freight): $0.00
- Total Estimated Import Costs: $65.52 + $6.30 + $0.00 = $71.82
Scenario 2: Importing Machinery via Ocean Freight
- Value of Goods: $15,000
- International Shipping Cost: $800
- International Insurance Cost: $100
- Estimated Duty Rate (e.g., for certain machinery): 2.5%
- Shipment Type: Ocean Freight
- Calculation:
- Dutiable Value: $15,000 + $800 + $100 = $15,900
- Customs Duty: $15,900 * 0.025 = $397.50
- MPF (Formal Entry >= $2,500): $15,900 * 0.00346 = $55.01 (within min/max)
- HMF (Ocean Freight): $15,900 * 0.00125 = $19.88
- Total Estimated Import Costs: $397.50 + $55.01 + $19.88 = $472.39
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on common scenarios and current fee structures. Actual duties and fees may vary based on specific CBP regulations, country of origin, trade agreements, and other factors. Always consult with a licensed customs broker or CBP directly for precise calculations and compliance.