US Import Duties: Find Rates, Calculate Costs, and Pay CBP

An Overview of Import Duties

Import duties, also known as customs duties, are taxes imposed on products that travel across international borders. They’re levied by the US to raise money and protect local industry by controlling the flow of goods. CBP is the government agency responsible for collecting duty payments. 

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Types of Import Duties

The US imposes multiple types of customs duties you should know about. This will help when calculating the amount you owe to CBP at the time of payment. 

Standard Customs Duty

A standard customs duty is imposed on imported goods. To calculate it, you’ll need to classify your goods using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). The HTS is a system that sets out the tariff rates and statistical categories of all goods that are imported into the country. 

Customs duties are levied as an ad valorem, specific duty, or compound rate. 

• Ad Valorem: Calculated as a percentage of the value of imported goods.
• Specific Duty Rate: Calculated based on the weight, quantity, or volume of the goods. 
• Compound Rate: Calculated as a combination of an ad valorem and specific duty rates.

The way a duty is levied will determine how you perform your calculations. 

Related: How Do I Find My HTS Code?

Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties

Anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) are trade remedies used to protect domestic industries in the US. 

• Anti-Dumping Duties: Imposed on goods that are sold at a price lower than normal value.
• Countervailing Duties: Imposed on goods to offset subsidies given by the exporting country’s government. 

AD/CVD make it more expensive to import goods priced lower than normal value or that are subsidized, thereby taking away their unfair advantage. The exact rates will vary based on the country of origin and the type of products being imported.  AD/CVD will be paid at the time of entry. 

How To Find the Correct Duty Rate

You can find the correct duty rate for your goods by consulting the HTS and locating the correct code for your items. After finding your HTS code, you should do your due diligence to ensure your goods aren’t subject to an AD/CVD. 

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has resources you can access to check if this is the case.  Searching through the HTS can be a time-consuming process. Fortunately, we have a tool that can help you find the correct code for your products. 

HTS Code Look Up

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How To Calculate Your Duties

Once you have the duty rate for your products, you’ll need to do some calculations to determine exactly how much you owe to CBP. These will vary based on the type of duty levied on your products. 

Let’s go over the calculation process for imports subject to a customs duty levied on an ad valorem basis. For products subject to this duty, you’ll multiply the valuation input by the base duty rate. We’ve provided an example calculation in the following graphic. 

In this ad valorem example, you would need to pay a $320 duty rate. In the next section, we’ll go over an import duty levied as a specific duty rate. We’ll assume there is a $0.42 per kilogram rate on your goods and your shipment has a weight of 1,250 kilograms.

In this specific duty example, you’ll have to pay a $525 duty. We’ll move on to a compound duty calculation next. This will be more involved since it’s a combination of an ad valorem and specific duty. 

First, let’s break down the hypothetical rates and value of the goods for the example:

• Ad Valorem: 6%
• Specific Duty: $0.50
• Value of Goods: $20,000
• Weight of Goods: 4,000 kilograms

Now that we have the values, here’s our calculation:

Based on this compound duty calculation example, the compound duty will be $3,200. The final example calculations will be for AD/CVD.

We’ll start with an AD calculation example. Let’s say the products you’re importing have a value of $50,000, but they’re subject to an AD margin of 30%. 

In this scenario, you would need to pay an additional $15,000 on top of the applicable customs duty on your goods. For our next example, let’s assume there is a CVD of $2 per unit on your import of 2,000 units. 

Based on this example, you would need to pay $4,000 CVD on top of the regular duty rate. 

How To Pay CBP

Most import duties are paid using the Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). This allows importers to consolidate their duties into monthly statements instead of paying entry by entry. 

Payment is collected using ACH Credit/Debit. Automated Clearinghouse debit allows CBP to draw funds directly from your bank account, while credit allows the importer to initiate the payment rather than having CBP pull it.  

If you rather have someone pay your import duties for you, hiring a customs broker is a convenient option. By taking the responsibility off your plate, you can focus on other areas of your business operations. 

Import Duty Exemptions

Most imports have some type of duty levied on them. Fortunately, there are certain exemptions that you can use to avoid paying import duties. We’ll explain each one in the following sections. 

Section 321

Section 321 is a statute that describes de minimis. It allows imports below the value of $800 to enter the country duty free. This provision is used primarily by small e-commerce businesses and direct-to-consumer brands. 

Unfortunately, de minimis was suspended on August 29th, 2025, which means all low-value shipments will be subject to applicable import duties and fees.

Free Trade Agreements

FTAs are comprehensive trade programs the US shares with other countries. They aim to reduce or eliminate trade barriers like tariffs and duties. This expands market access for the participating countries and promotes economic growth. 

You’ll need to apply for preferential tariff treatment for the FTA you’re importing under if you want to avoid paying an import duty. 

To do this, you’ll need to follow these two steps:

1. Learn the rules of origin outlined by the FTA
2. Provide a certificate of origin 

The US shares 14 FTAs with 20 countries. That means you’ll have to go over the specific rules of origin in each agreement to ensure you apply for preferential treatment correctly. 

Related: US Free Trade Agreements

Temporary Imports

You can also avoid import duties by importing products into the US temporarily. To be eligible, any products you bring to the US need to be exported or destroyed within one year of the date of importation. Extensions might be provided up to three years. 

You’ll also need a temporary importation under bond (TIB) if you want to take advantage of this provision.   

Get Import Duty Assistance with USA Customs Clearance Today

Here at USA Customs Clearance, our highly-experienced staff has been helping importers pay their duties for decades. They’ll use their experience to calculate your import duties and even submit payment on your behalf. Our team can also provide services like consulting to help you through other parts of the importing process.

You can learn more about the wonderful members on our team by navigating to our about page. If you’re ready to get help with your import duties, then call our team at (866) 738-2121 or reach out to us on our contact page.