Import duty & tax calculator.

When a shipment crosses an international border, customs authorities calculate two separate charges: duty and tax (usually VAT or GST). Duty is calculated as a percentage of the product's customs value, based on its HS code and the destination country's tariff schedule. Tax is then usually calculated on top of the product value plus duty plus freight — not on the product value alone, which is why many manual estimates come in too low.

The basic formula most countries follow:

Rates vary by product category, origin country (trade agreements can reduce or eliminate duty), and destination country. This calculator applies the correct rate automatically based on the HS code and destination you enter, so you don't have to look up tariff schedules manually.

Duty is a tariff charged specifically on imported goods to protect domestic industry or generate government revenue. Tax (VAT/GST/sales tax) is charged on nearly all goods sold in a country, whether imported or domestic, and is calculated after duty is added. A shipment can have duty and no tax, tax and no duty (if below the duty threshold but above the tax threshold), both, or neither — depending on the destination country's thresholds.

A customs duty calculator is a tool that estimates the import duties and taxes you'll owe when shipping goods internationally. It takes three inputs — the product's HS code (Harmonized System classification), the destination country, and the declared product value — and returns an estimated duty amount based on the destination country's tariff schedule.

Without a customs duty calculator, merchants have to manually look up tariff schedules, which vary by country and product category. A calculator automates this process, giving you instant estimates for any HS code and destination. RateTell's calculator also includes VAT/GST and shipping costs for a complete landed cost breakdown.

Estimating import duties requires three pieces of information:

1. HS code — The 6-10 digit Harmonized System code that classifies your product. Each code maps to a specific duty rate in the destination country's tariff schedule.
2. Destination country — Every country has its own tariff schedule. The same product can have different duty rates depending on where it's being shipped.
3. Declared value — The product's transaction value (what the customer paid). Some countries calculate duties on CIF value (including shipping), others on FOB value (product only).

The formula is straightforward: Duty = Product Value × Duty Rate. But finding the correct duty rate requires looking up the HS code in the destination country's tariff schedule — which is exactly what this calculator does automatically.

Import charges (also called customs charges) are the total fees owed when a shipment crosses an international border. They include:

• Import duty — A tariff based on the product's HS code and the destination country's tariff schedule. Typically 0-25% of the product value.
• VAT or GST — A consumption tax applied to the product value plus shipping plus duty. Rates vary: UK 20%, Germany 19%, Australia 10%, Canada 5%.
• Brokerage fee — Charged by the carrier (FedEx, UPS, DHL) for handling customs clearance on your behalf.
• Advancement fee — Charged by the carrier if they pay the duty on your behalf before collecting from the recipient.

This calculator estimates import duty and VAT/GST. Brokerage and advancement fees vary by carrier and are not included in the estimate — check with your carrier for those specific charges.

Import duty rates vary significantly by destination country and product category. Here are typical ranges for common product categories:

• United States: 0-20% (most products), de minimis $800
• European Union: 0-17% (varies by product), de minimis €150 for duty
• United Kingdom: 0-17% (UK Global Tariff), de minimis £135 for duty
• Canada: 0-18% (MFN rates), de minimis CAD $150 for duty
• Australia: 0-10% (5% standard), de minimis AUD $1,000

Trade agreements can reduce or eliminate these rates. For example, goods manufactured in the US and shipped to Canada may qualify for 0% duty under USMCA. Use this calculator with your product's HS code to see the exact rate for your destination.