A tariff calculator estimates the duty and customs fees on goods you import into the United States, so you can see the cost before the shipment clears. Formula: Duty = value × duty rate; MPF = value × 0.3464% (min $34.58, max $670.86); HMF = value × 0.125%; total = value + duty + MPF + HMF. On a $50,000 ocean shipment with a 10% duty rate, the tariff calculator shows $5,000 of duty, a $173.20 merchandise processing fee and a $62.50 harbor fee, for $55,235.70.
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How to use the tariff calculator
- Enter the customs value of the goods, normally the price paid for them.
- Enter the duty rate for the product and its country of origin. Look up the code and rate in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, and add any extra duties that apply to that origin.
- Pick the merchandise processing fee option. Formal entry uses the FY2027 rate with its minimum and maximum. Choose no MPF if your goods qualify for an exemption.
- For goods arriving by ship, enter 0.125 as the harbor maintenance fee. For air, truck or rail, leave it at 0.
The tariff calculator shows the duty, each fee, and the total.
What formula does the tariff calculator use?
Duty is the customs value times the duty rate. The merchandise processing fee on a formal entry is 0.3464% of value, but never less than $34.58 or more than $670.86 per entry. The harbor maintenance fee is 0.125% of value for cargo through U.S. seaports. The total is the value plus duty and both fees. Freight, insurance and broker charges are not included.
Tariff calculator worked example
Results from the tariff calculator, using formal-entry MPF:
| Shipment | Duty | MPF | HMF | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000, 5% duty, air | $100.00 | $34.58 (minimum) | $0.00 | $2,134.58 |
| $10,000, 5% duty, air | $500.00 | $34.64 | $0.00 | $10,534.64 |
| $50,000, 10% duty, ocean | $5,000.00 | $173.20 | $62.50 | $55,235.70 |
| $500,000, 25% duty, ocean | $125,000.00 | $670.86 (maximum) | $625.00 | $626,295.86 |
The cap matters on large entries. At $500,000, 0.3464% would be $1,732, but the fee stops at $670.86. On a $2,000 entry, the percentage would be under $7, so the $34.58 minimum applies.
2027 merchandise processing fee rules
CBP adjusts its user fees for inflation each fiscal year. For fiscal year 2027, starting October 1, 2026, the Federal Register notice (document 2026-15530) and the CBP user fee table set the formal-entry MPF at 0.3464% with a $34.58 minimum and a $670.86 maximum. Informal entries pay a flat $2.77, $8.30 or $12.45 instead, depending on how they are filed, and the tariff calculator does not model those.
Some preferential trade programs exempt qualifying goods from MPF. CBP publishes a table of which programs do, so check it before you assume the fee applies.
Finding the right duty rate
The duty rate is the input that moves the result most, and it is the one the tool cannot look up for you. Find the product’s 10-digit code in the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule, note the general rate or any special rate for your origin, and add any additional duties in force for that country when the goods enter. Rates can change quickly, so check them close to the shipping date. A licensed customs broker can confirm the classification.
Common mistakes to avoid
A common mistake is entering the harbor fee on an air shipment. It applies to ocean cargo at covered ports. Another is using a value that includes ocean freight, which is usually not part of customs value. A third is forgetting that the duty, not the fees, is where most of the cost lives. Run the tariff calculator with more than one rate if your classification is uncertain, and add freight and broker fees with our profit margin calculator to see what is left.
Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Check current rules with the tax authority or a qualified adviser.
Related converters and calculators
Related calculators:
- Profit margin calculator: price after duty
- Currency converter: convert a foreign invoice
- Sales tax calculator: tax at the point of sale
Sources
CBP: User fee table; CBP: Merchandise processing fee and preferential trade programs; USITC: Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
Questions about this calculator
How do I calculate a tariff?
Multiply the customs value by the duty rate for the product and origin. Add the merchandise processing fee and, for ocean cargo, the harbor maintenance fee.
What is the merchandise processing fee for 2027?
For formal entries from October 1, 2026, it is 0.3464% of value with a $34.58 minimum and a $670.86 maximum.
What is the harbor maintenance fee?
A fee of 0.125% of value on commercial cargo loaded or unloaded at covered U.S. ports. Air cargo does not pay it.
Does the tariff calculator look up HTS codes?
No. You enter the duty rate. Find it in the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule or ask a customs broker.
Does the total include shipping?
No. It covers the goods, duty and the two customs fees. Add freight, insurance and broker fees yourself.
Check the assumptions and units before relying on a result. Financial, tax and health estimates do not replace advice for your individual circumstances.
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