The Import Duty Calculator estimates the customs duty and VAT or sales tax you will pay when importing goods into a destination country. Enter the cargo value, freight and insurance to get the CIF value, then pick a destination and an HS category to see indicative duty and tax. Pair it with our CBM Calculator and Volumetric Weight Calculator to go from carton sizes to a full landed cost.
How import duty is calculated
Most countries apply duty to the CIF value — Cost of goods + Insurance + Freight. The duty rate depends on the 6-10 digit HS (Harmonized System) code of the product and any trade agreement between the origin and destination. VAT or sales tax is then applied, usually on (CIF + duty).
- CIF = goods value + freight + insurance
- Duty = CIF × duty rate (from HS code)
- VAT / sales tax = (CIF + duty) × tax rate
- Landed cost = CIF + duty + VAT (+ any brokerage)
De minimis thresholds
Many countries waive duty (and sometimes tax) on low-value shipments below a de minimis threshold — for example, USD 800 for the United States and GBP 135 for the United Kingdom. Above the threshold, full duty and VAT apply on the entire CIF value, not just the portion above the limit.
Why HS codes matter
The HS code drives the exact duty rate. Two visually similar products can have very different duties — leather handbags vs. textile handbags, or LED bulbs vs. fluorescent bulbs. Confirm the HS code with your supplier or a customs broker before booking, especially for high-value shipments.