Skip to main content
⚠️ Tariff Update: Section 122 (15% global surcharge) active since Feb 24, 2026 — expires ~Jul 24, 2026. Calculator updated. Learn more →
Try the new Landed Cost Pulse Stack
One tool — HTS classification + full landed cost breakdown + scenario modeling + optimization recommendations
Try Pulse Stack →

What Is Landed Cost — and Why Importers Underestimate It

Landed cost is the total cost of getting an imported product from the factory to your US warehouse — including every fee, duty, and charge between the two points. Most importers budget based on the FOB invoice price and get surprised at the port. The full landed cost formula is:

Landed Cost = Product Cost + Ocean/Air Freight + Marine Insurance + Import Duty (MFN) + Section 301 / 232 / IEEPA Surcharges + Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) + Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) + Customs Broker Fee

On a $50,000 China-origin electronics shipment in 2026, those additional costs commonly total $15,000–$25,000 — a 30–50% premium over the FOB price. The three biggest underestimated line items are the Section 301 tariff (7.5%–145% depending on HTS code and origin), the IEEPA baseline tariff (10% for most non-China countries), and MPF (0.3464% of commercial invoice value, $32.71 minimum, $634.62 maximum per entry).

Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% of declared commercial value. Required on all formal entries. Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% of commercial value, applies to ocean freight shipments. Section 301 (China): Additional duty on 4 tariff lists covering most manufactured goods — rates vary from 7.5% to 145% by HTS code. Section 232 (Steel & Aluminum): 25% on steel products (HTS chapters 72–73), 10% on aluminum (chapter 76), from most origins. Section 122 surcharge: 15% surcharge active since February 24, 2026, applied across broad product categories.

Why does this matter for sourcing decisions? Because landed cost determines true margin, not FOB price. A Vietnam-origin product with a 12% MFN duty might have a lower landed cost than a China-origin product with a 0% MFN duty if the Section 301 surcharge on the China product is 25%. The only way to make accurate sourcing comparisons is to calculate the full duty stack for each origin country and HTS code combination — which is what this tool does automatically.

Note: Calculations are estimates for planning purposes. Actual landed cost depends on final CBP classification, port of entry, Incoterms, and carrier rates. Confirm all duty amounts with a licensed customs broker before filing entry.

Frequently Asked Questions — Landed Cost Calculation

What does landed cost include?

Landed cost includes product cost (FOB or EXW), international freight (ocean or air), marine cargo insurance (typically 0.5–1% of commercial value), US import duty (MFN base rate), any Section 301/232/IEEPA additional tariffs, Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF at 0.3464%), Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF at 0.125% for ocean), and customs broker fees ($150–$500 per entry). Some importers also include port drayage, deconsolidation fees, and inland freight to warehouse.

How is import duty calculated?

Import duty is calculated as a percentage of the customs value (usually CIF — cost + insurance + freight). The duty rate is determined by the HTS code and country of origin. For a China-origin product with a 25% Section 301 tariff on top of a 5% MFN rate, the effective duty rate is 30% of the customs value. Enter your HTS code and country above to get the exact stacked rate.

What is the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF)?

The MPF is a CBP user fee of 0.3464% of declared commercial value, with a minimum of $32.71 and a maximum of $634.62 per entry (2026 rates). It applies to all formal entries (shipments valued over $2,500). USMCA-qualifying imports from Canada and Mexico are exempt from MPF. The MPF is a fixed cost per entry — splitting large shipments into multiple entries increases total MPF paid.

How do Section 301 tariffs affect landed cost?

Section 301 tariffs add 7.5%–145% on top of the MFN base duty for goods originating in China, varying by HTS code and List (1–4B). They are stacked on top of base duties — so a product with a 10% MFN rate and a 25% Section 301 rate pays 35% total. Section 301 is the primary reason China-origin goods have dramatically higher landed costs than equivalent goods from Vietnam, Mexico, or India.

Can USMCA reduce my landed cost?

Yes. USMCA (the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement) provides 0% duty rates on qualifying goods from Canada and Mexico, plus MPF exemption. To qualify, goods must meet USMCA rules of origin — typically requiring sufficient regional value content or specific manufacturing transformations in North America. Goods that qualify can see landed cost reductions of 5–30% compared to non-preferential sourcing. The calculator flags USMCA eligibility automatically when you select Canada or Mexico as origin.

Shipment Details

Enter product, shipping, and classification details for a full landed cost analysis with scenario modeling.

Product Details
× ×
Shipping & Classification
Include insurance (est. 0.5% of cargo value)

Itemized Landed Cost

Scenario Modeling — Alternative Origins

Classify Another Product →

Educational estimates only — actual duties determined by CBP at entry. Learn more

SEEK EXPERT ADVICE — AI-generated output for informational purposes only. Not legal, tax, or customs brokerage advice. Consult a licensed professional before acting.

VERIFIED — USITC Duty rates from official HTS database  ·  ESTIMATE AI-generated scenario modeling  ·  LAST UPDATED: April 2026
⚖️

Educational estimates based on published tariff schedules and AI analysis. Not a CBP-binding determination. Full legal terms on AI Disclaimer and Terms of Service.

Classify your product first to get the exact HTS code and duty rate Classify Product — Free →

What Is a Landed Cost Calculator?

A landed cost calculator adds up every expense incurred from the moment a product leaves the factory to the moment it clears US customs. The invoice price alone is not the true cost of an import. US importers must also pay import duties, Section 301 or Section 232 surcharges (where applicable), Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF), Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF), ocean freight or airfreight, marine insurance, and customs broker fees. On a $50,000 China-origin electronics shipment, those additional costs can easily total $12,000–$20,000 — a 24–40% premium over the FOB price.

USTradeStack's landed cost calculator computes all of these line items in real time, applies the correct tariff regime for your product and country of origin, and models alternative sourcing scenarios so you can compare true total cost across multiple origins before you commit to a supplier.

Who Needs a Landed Cost Calculator?

Any business that imports physical goods into the United States benefits from landed cost modeling. The primary users are:

The calculator is also useful as a quick sanity check before signing a supplier contract. If the landed cost puts your margin below target, you need to know before production begins — not at the port.

How to Use the Landed Cost Calculator

  1. Enter your product description. Be specific — materials, function, end use. The more detail, the better the HTS classification match.
  2. Select country of origin. This determines which tariff schedules apply: USMCA rates for Mexico/Canada, MFN rates for most other countries, and Section 301 additional duties for China-origin goods.
  3. Enter your HTS code if you know it. If not, use the HTS classification tool first and return with the 10-digit code.
  4. Enter product cost, quantity, and shipping method. Ocean freight and air freight carry different cost profiles and insurance requirements.
  5. Review the itemized breakdown. The calculator shows base duty, each surcharge, MPF, HMF, freight, insurance, and broker fees as separate line items so you can see exactly where the cost lands.
  6. Check scenario modeling. The tool automatically models the same shipment from 3 alternative origins so you can compare landed cost across sourcing options.

What Tariffs Does the Calculator Include?

The calculator includes all active US import duty regimes as of 2026:

Related Tools

HTS Classification Tool — Identify the correct 10-digit tariff code before calculating. · Compliance Checker — Screen suppliers for OFAC, AD/CVD, and CBP trade enforcement. · China Tariff Profile — Section 301 rates, List applicability, and trade statistics. · Mexico Tariff Profile — USMCA rules of origin and duty rates.

Import Guides by Corridor

Detailed duty rates, HTS codes, and compliance guides for the most common US import corridors.

🇨🇳 China furniture import duties 🇨🇳 China electronics import duties 🇲🇽 Mexico plastics import duties 🇨🇳 China apparel import duties 🇨🇦 Canada electronics import duties 🇨🇳 China ceramics import duties 🇨🇳 China auto parts import duties 🇮🇹 Italy furniture import duties 🇩🇪 Germany solar panels import duties 🇻🇳 Vietnam apparel import duties 🇨🇳 China plastics import duties 🇻🇳 Vietnam furniture import duties

Browse all import guides →

DATA CURRENT AS OF MAY 2026

How Landed Cost Affects Your Import Margin

Landed cost is the total cost to bring goods from a foreign supplier's door to your US warehouse, including all duties, fees, and freight. Many importers miscalculate margin by using only the invoice price — then discover the actual unit economics are materially worse once CBP fees, customs duties, and freight-related costs are factored in.

The 2025–2026 tariff environment has made accurate landed cost modeling more critical than ever. The April 2026 IEEPA executive order added a 10% universal baseline tariff on most countries (with a 90-day pause period currently active). For China-origin goods, Section 301 duties (7.5%–25%) stack on top of MFN base rates. For a product with a 5% MFN rate sourced from China under List 3, total effective duty can reach 30%+ before MPF and HMF. A $10 product at invoice price carries a true landed cost of $13.50+ before freight and insurance.

Key components this calculator includes: MFN base duty (the baseline WTO-bound rate for each HTS code), Section 301 surcharges (China-specific Lists 1–4B), Section 232 surcharges (25% steel, 10% aluminum), Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) at 0.3464% of customs value (min $32.71, max $634.62), and Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) at 0.125% for ocean shipments. IEEPA universal baseline tariffs are reflected for applicable countries.

Understanding landed cost per unit allows importers to make accurate pricing decisions, negotiate supplier contracts with correct margin buffers, and identify sourcing alternatives where duty differentials create meaningful cost advantages. Use the $19 Tariff Exposure Report for a comprehensive analysis of your specific HTS codes including alternative classifications that may reduce your effective duty rate.

📊 New — $19 Report
See Duty Optimization Opportunities
Full tariff exposure analysis · Alternative HTS classifications with lower rates · Country-of-origin comparison · Broker-ready PDF
Get Report — $19 →