International Shipping Duty Calculator
When a package arrives from overseas above the de minimis threshold, the recipient owes import duty plus any applicable carrier handling or brokerage fee. This calculator estimates the total border cost for a parcel. Enter the declared value of the goods (as shown on the customs form), the applicable duty rate for the product category, and the carrier's handling or brokerage fee. The result shows the duty amount and the total you will owe before the package is released.
Shipping duty formula
Import duty = declared value x (duty rate / 100)
Total border cost = duty + handling fee
Effective rate% = total border cost / declared value x 100
The effective rate includes the handling fee and shows the true percentage added to the goods value at the border. A low duty rate can still result in a significant effective rate if the handling fee is high relative to the package value.
Tips for minimising border costs
- Check whether your goods qualify for a reduced or zero duty rate under a US free trade agreement with the origin country (USMCA, KORUS, etc.).
- For personal purchases, keep each shipment below the $800 de minimis threshold to avoid duty entirely.
- Some carriers offer a self-clearance option that eliminates the handling fee; you file the entry yourself through the ACE portal.
- Commercial importers should use a licensed customs broker for regular imports to manage classification and compliance costs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the declared value for customs?
The declared value is the price paid for the goods, as shown on the commercial invoice or packing slip. Under-declaring value is a customs violation. CBP may independently appraise the goods if the declared value appears inconsistent with the type of product.
Who pays the duty on international shipments?
The importer of record (usually the recipient) is responsible for paying import duties. Some e-commerce platforms collect the duty at checkout using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) terms, so the recipient pays nothing at the door.
What is a handling fee from a carrier?
Express carriers such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL typically charge a brokerage or advancement fee for acting as customs broker and advancing the duty payment on the importer's behalf. This fee is separate from shipping costs and ranges from $5 to $50 or more.
Are there duty-free personal exemptions for travelers?
Yes. US residents returning from abroad may bring back $800 of goods duty-free (the personal exemption under 19 USC 1321). Goods above $800 up to $1,800 are assessed at a flat 3% rate on the excess. Higher rates apply above $1,800.
Does this calculator cover all fees?
This calculator covers the basic duty and a handling fee. You may also owe the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF), a Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) on ocean shipments, and state sales tax in some states. CBP publishes a full schedule of fees.
Official sources
- US CBP, Mailing and Shipping Goods: cbp.gov.
- USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS): usitc.gov/tata/hts/.
- 19 USC 1321 (de minimis): law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/19/1321.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.