US Custom Duty Calculator — Estimate US Import Duties Free [2026]

Importing goods into the United States comes with customs duties that can significantly affect your landed cost. Whether you're a Shopify merchant sourcing products from overseas or a buyer purchasing goods internationally, understanding how US import duties work helps you price products accurately and avoid surprise charges. A US custom duty calculator simplifies this process by giving you instant estimates before your goods even ship.

How US Import Duties Work

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) administers all import duties at the border. Every product entering the US is classified under a 10-digit code in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). This code determines the duty rate applied to your shipment.

The HTSUS is based on the global Harmonized System (HS) maintained by the World Customs Organization. The first six digits are standardized worldwide, while the last four digits are specific to the US tariff schedule. Finding the correct HTS code is critical — misclassification can lead to overpaying duties or facing penalties from CBP.

Duty rates in the US are typically ad valorem, meaning they are a percentage of the product's customs value. The customs value is generally the transaction price — what you actually paid for the goods, including shipping and insurance to the US port of entry. Some products also face specific duties (a fixed amount per unit) or compound duties (a combination of both).

US De Minimis Threshold

The US has one of the highest de minimis thresholds in the world at $800 USD. This means any shipment valued at $800 or below is exempt from both customs duties and federal taxes. For e-commerce merchants, this is a significant advantage.

Key things to know about the US de minimis threshold:

• Applies to the total declared value of the goods (excluding shipping and insurance)
• Each shipment is assessed individually — you cannot split a larger order into multiple sub-$800 shipments to avoid duties
• Certain product categories (e.g., textiles, food, alcohol) may be excluded from de minimis treatment in some trade agreements
• Applies regardless of the country of origin

For Shopify merchants shipping to US customers from abroad, the $800 threshold means many orders will arrive duty-free. However, higher-value orders, bulk shipments, and B2B imports will almost always owe duties.

US Duty Rates by Product Category

US duty rates vary widely depending on the product type and its HTS classification. Here are some common categories and their typical rate ranges:

• Clothing and apparel: 10–20% — one of the most heavily taxed categories
• Electronics: 0–6% — many consumer electronics enter duty-free under the Information Technology Agreement (ITA)
• Footwear: 10–37% — rates depend heavily on material and construction type
• Cosmetics and skincare: 0–6% — varies by formulation and packaging
• Home goods and furniture: 0–8% — generally moderate rates
• Jewelry and watches: 5–11% — precious metals and stones have specific classifications
• Toys and sporting goods: 0–8% — many toys enter at low or zero rates

These ranges reflect general patterns, but the exact rate depends on the specific 10-digit HTS code. Two similar products — say, leather dress shoes vs. rubber-sole sneakers — can have dramatically different duty rates.

How to Use a US Custom Duty Calculator

A duty calculator eliminates the guesswork. Here's how to get an instant estimate:

1. Find your HTS code. Use the product description or the HS code finder tool to identify the correct 10-digit HTS code for your product. Accuracy here is essential — a wrong code gives a wrong rate.
2. Enter the product value. This is the declared customs value — the price paid for the goods. Do not include shipping costs separately; the calculator handles this.
3. Select the country of origin. Where the product was manufactured (not where it shipped from) determines whether preferential rates from trade agreements apply.
4. Get your instant breakdown. The calculator returns the applicable duty rate, duty amount, any applicable taxes, and the total landed cost.

For Shopify merchants, integrating a duty calculator at checkout means US customers see the full cost upfront — no surprise bills from customs on delivery.

US Trade Agreements and Duty Reductions

The US has trade agreements that reduce or eliminate duties for goods from specific countries. Understanding these can save you significant money on imports:

• USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement): Replaced NAFTA in 2020. Eliminates or reduces duties on goods manufactured in Mexico and Canada, provided they meet rules of origin requirements. This is the most impactful trade agreement for North American e-commerce.
• Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Provides duty-free treatment for eligible products from over 100 developing countries. GSP expired in 2020 but has been periodically renewed — check the current status before relying on it.
• Bilateral free trade agreements: The US has FTAs with countries including Australia, South Korea, Israel, Singapore, Chile, Colombia, and others. Each has specific product coverage and rules of origin.

To claim a preferential rate, you typically need to provide a certificate of origin or other documentation proving the product qualifies under the agreement. Simply shipping from a qualifying country is not enough — the product must be substantially manufactured or transformed there.

Related guides: What is a Customs Duty Calculator? · How to Estimate Import Duties

Calculate US import duties now with our free US custom duty calculator. Enter your HTS code and product value to get an instant landed cost breakdown.