Calculate Your Total Import Costs & Duties
from China

Import Duties & Tariffs: What Importers Must Know

Every product imported into the United States from China is subject to customs duties based on its Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code — a 10-digit number that classifies every traded product. Standard rates range from 0% for semiconductors and scientific equipment to 37.5% for certain footwear and apparel.

Since 2018, Section 301 tariffs have added an additional layer: most Chinese goods now carry an extra 7.5% (List 4A) or 25% (Lists 1–3) on top of the standard HTS rate, making effective tariff rates for many categories exceed 30%. Understanding both layers is critical to accurate cost forecasting.

The US also charges a Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) of 0.3464% of CIF value (minimum $32.71, maximum $634.62 per entry) and a Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) of 0.125% for sea shipments. A licensed customs broker typically costs $150–350 per shipment but is essential for formal entries over $2,500.

How Amazon Sellers Use China Import Calculators

For Amazon FBA sellers sourcing from China, profit margin calculation is a multi-step process that begins well before the product page goes live. The sequence that determines success or failure:

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  Research the target selling price and Amazon referral fee (8–20%) for the category
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  Calculate FBA fulfillment fees based on product dimensions and weight
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  Work backward to determine the maximum allowable landed cost per unit
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  Get FOB quotes from suppliers and calculate total landed cost
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  Verify the margin works before placing the order — not after

Amazon sellers who use our FBA Import Calculator and Alibaba-to-Amazon Profit Calculator catch margin problems before they become loss-making inventory.