US import cost components

US import fees are not one interchangeable percentage

An import estimate can contain ordinary duty, additional tariffs and user fees with different legal bases. Keeping the components separate makes assumptions and missing scope easier to review.

Estimate US import charges

General duty

The HTSUS general rate starts the calculation

The selected HTSUS line may be Free, ad valorem, specific, compound or conditional. The ordinary duty is one component and can be zero even when other charges apply.

Additional tariffs

Chapter 99 measures can add a separate duty

Origin- and product-specific measures can refer to Chapter 99 headings. TariffCalc automatically applies only its deterministic, source-backed Section 301 registry and the locked China-origin primary-steel Section 232 family implemented in Phase 25. Unsupported measures remain review required or outside coverage.

MPF

Formal-entry Merchandise Processing Fee uses a rate with minimum and maximum

For the bundled FY2026 formal-entry rule, TariffCalc uses 0.3464 percent of customs value, subject to a $33.58 minimum and $651.50 maximum. Exemptions, informal entries and special entry types are not inferred.

Educational formula Formal MPF = min(max(customs value × 0.3464%, $33.58), $651.50)

HMF

Harbor Maintenance Fee depends on covered vessel and port use

The regulation applies a 0.125 percent fee to specified commercial cargo loaded or unloaded from a commercial vessel at a covered port, subject to exemptions and special rules. TariffCalc adds it only after ocean transport and covered applicability are explicitly confirmed.

Educational formula Confirmed covered HMF = customs value × 0.125%

Outside the estimate

Review charges the calculator does not automate

AD/CVD, Section 232 outside the locked implemented primary-steel family, Section 122, safeguards, quotas, excise, preference eligibility, product exclusions, broker fees, carrier charges, storage and local delivery can require separate analysis.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Does a Free HTS rate mean no US import fees?

No. Additional tariffs, MPF, HMF or other measures can still apply even when the ordinary general duty rate is Free.

Are MPF and HMF the same fee?

No. Formal-entry MPF is a merchandise processing user fee with a rate, minimum and maximum. HMF is a separate port-use fee for covered commercial-vessel cargo.

Does TariffCalc include broker or carrier charges?

No. User-entered shipping and insurance are shown separately, while broker, carrier, storage and local delivery charges remain outside automatic tariff coverage.