Frequently Asked Questions

A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on imported goods. In the US, tariffs are collected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when goods enter the country and are based on the product's HTS classification, country of origin, and declared value.

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code is a 10-digit classification number that determines the duty rate for any imported good in the US. The first 6 digits are international (HS code); the last 4 are US-specific. Every product entering the US must have an HTS code. See our HTS code guide for details.

Duty depends on three factors: (1) the product's HTS code (base MFN rate), (2) country of origin (reciprocal tariffs, Section 301/232 stack), (3) declared CIF value. Use our free 2026 duty calculator for an estimate, or check the live HTSUS at hts.usitc.gov for binding rates.

MPF (Merchandise Processing Fee) is 0.3464% of CIF value, with a minimum of $32.71 and maximum of $634.62 per entry, charged on all formal entries. HMF (Harbor Maintenance Fee) is 0.125% of CIF value, charged only on goods arriving by sea freight. Both apply on top of tariffs.

In April 2025, the Trump administration imposed a reciprocal baseline tariff under IEEPA: 15% on most trading partners (Japan, Korea, EU), 25% on Mexico and Canada (with USMCA carve-outs), and 125% on China. These stack on top of existing Section 301 (China), Section 232 (steel/aluminum/autos/semis), and base MFN duties. See our complete Trump tariff guide.

Section 301 (Trade Act of 1974) is used to address unfair foreign trade practices — primarily applied to China. Section 232 (Trade Expansion Act of 1962) is used for national-security tariffs — applied to steel, aluminum, autos, and now semiconductors regardless of origin (with country carve-outs).

Section 321 historically allowed shipments under $800 to enter the US duty-free. As of 2025-2026, this exemption ended for China-origin goods and has been narrowed for other origins. Most low-value shipments now face standard duty treatment. See our de minimis guide.

USMCA is the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (replaced NAFTA in 2020). Goods that meet USMCA rules of origin enter the US duty-free, bypassing the IEEPA 25% on Mexico/Canada. To claim: (1) verify the good qualifies, (2) get a Certification of Origin from your supplier, (3) file with Special Program Indicator 'S+' or 'CA'/'MX' on CBP Form 7501. See our USMCA guide.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is the EU's carbon tariff on imports of cement, steel, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity and hydrogen. Fully operational since January 2026. CBAM does NOT apply to imports into the US — it applies to US (and other) exports going into the EU.

For any commercial entry above $2,500, CBP requires a formal entry that is almost always filed by a licensed customs broker. Brokers typically charge $90-200 per entry, handle HTS classification, file the entry electronically via ACE, and arrange duty payment. See our customs broker guide.

For standard imports with proper documentation: 1-3 business days. Delays occur for: missing or inaccurate paperwork, FDA prior notice for food/cosmetics/drugs, FCC declarations for electronics, USDA review for agricultural goods, CBP exam holds. Pre-filing via ABI/ACE before arrival speeds the process.

The Importer Security Filing requires importers to submit 10 data elements to CBP at least 24 hours before goods are loaded on a US-bound vessel at the foreign port. Failure to file or filing late carries a $5,000 penalty per violation. Required for all ocean freight imports. See our ISF guide.

The calculator gives an indicative estimate based on broad product categories using 2026 rate tables compiled from HTSUS, USTR, Commerce, and IEEPA orders. For binding rates always verify against the live USITC HTS schedule using your specific 10-digit HTS code. Consult a licensed customs broker before commercial entries.

TariffWise is an independent publication founded in 2026 by Mohamed Tijarti (based in Madrid, Spain). All content is human-written, source-verified against primary documents (CBP, USTR, Federal Register, WTO), and date-stamped. See our About page and Editorial Standards.

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