US Import Duty & Landed Cost Calculator
Estimate customs duties, federal fees, and total landed cost for goods imported into the United States.
How to use this import duty calculator for US shipments
If you are trying to estimate import tax before placing an overseas order, this tool gives you a practical first-pass estimate. Enter your declared customs value, your expected duty rate, and any extra tariffs. Then add shipping, insurance, and handling costs to see your approximate landed cost in the United States.
The calculator is useful for eCommerce sellers, procurement teams, and small businesses that need a quick US customs duty calculator before committing to inventory.
Inputs you should prepare first
- Declared customs value: The transaction value for customs purposes.
- HTS duty rate: Base ad valorem duty percentage from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
- Additional tariff: Trade-remedy tariffs (for example, Section 301) if applicable.
- Mode of transport: Ocean cargo may trigger Harbor Maintenance Fee.
- Entry type: Formal entries may include Merchandise Processing Fee.
What this calculator includes
This import duty estimator combines several cost layers:
- Base customs duty
- Additional tariff percentage
- Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) estimate for formal entries
- Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) estimate for ocean formal entries
- Brokerage and miscellaneous logistics costs
- Optional local sales/use tax estimate
In other words, it works as both an import tax calculator USA and a quick landed cost planning tool.
Simplified formula used
Estimated Duties = (Customs Value × Base Duty Rate) + (Customs Value × Additional Tariff Rate)
Estimated Government Charges = Duties + MPF + HMF
Estimated Landed Cost = Customs Value + Shipping + Insurance + Government Charges + Brokerage + Other Fees + Optional Sales/Use Tax
MPF in this page is estimated using a common ad valorem approach with a minimum and maximum cap. Actual fee limits can change over time, so always verify current CBP values.
Example: quick scenario
Let’s say you import goods worth $5,000 with a base duty rate of 5%, shipping of $450, insurance of $50, and brokerage of $125. If the entry is formal and no additional tariff applies:
- Base duty ≈ $250
- MPF may apply (subject to min/max)
- HMF applies only if ocean + formal entry
The calculator rolls all of this together so you can compare suppliers and understand your real landed unit cost before purchasing.
Key factors that change import duty in the US
1) HTS classification accuracy
Correct product classification is the most important variable. A small misclassification can dramatically alter your duty rate, and in some cases trigger penalties or post-entry corrections.
2) Country of origin
Origin affects normal duty rates, free trade agreement eligibility, and country-specific measures. The same product can be taxed differently depending on origin rules.
3) Trade programs and exemptions
Special programs, temporary exclusions, and tariff engineering strategies may reduce duty legally. These require proper documentation and compliance support.
4) De minimis treatment
Many low-value shipments may qualify for de minimis entry thresholds, but qualification depends on shipment type and current policy. In the calculator, selecting de minimis sets duties and federal processing fees to zero for a rough estimate.
Tips to improve your landed cost estimates
- Keep a SKU-level table of HTS code, base duty %, and additional tariffs.
- Track broker invoices and reconcile estimates against actual entries.
- Model multiple shipping modes (air vs. ocean) before peak season.
- Update duty assumptions quarterly to reflect policy changes.
- Include compliance/brokerage costs, not just customs duty.
Who should use this tool?
This page is ideal if you need a quick customs duty calculator US for budgeting, quoting, or supplier negotiation. It is especially useful for:
- Online sellers importing private-label goods
- Small and mid-sized importers building first landed-cost models
- Finance teams validating procurement assumptions
- Freight-forwarding clients checking pre-shipment margin impact
Important disclaimer
This calculator provides an estimate only and is not legal, customs, or tax advice. Final duty and fee amounts depend on official classification, valuation, admissibility, current regulations, entry details, and broker/CBP determinations.