SSLT Global
Sign in
US

United States Import & Export Toolkit

Last reviewed:

The US is the world's largest importer. This hub covers LC cost in USD on ACT/360, HTSUS classification, Section 301 China tariffs, MPF/HMF add-ons, USMCA preferential origin and Incoterms best practice for CBP-facing trade.

Currency
USD (US Dollar)
No federal VAT / GST
0% federal
State sales & use tax (0-10%+) applies at final sale, not at import. Import consumption is not federally taxed the way EU/UK VAT is.
Duty regime
HTSUS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States) - 10 digits. MFN column-1 rates for WTO members, column-2 for non-normal-trade-relations countries. Preferential rates under USMCA, KORUS, CAFTA-DR, US-Israel, US-Australia and GSP (partial). Section 301 China lists add 7.5%-25%+ on many Chinese-origin goods, Section 301 (forced labor) adds 10% or 12.5% by country from 24 Jul 2026 and Section 301 Brazil adds 25% from 22 Jul 2026; Section 232 applies 50% / 25% / 15% / 10% tiers on the full customs value of steel, aluminium and copper articles and derivatives (Proc. 11021), regardless of metal content.

Free calculators for United States trade

LC Cost Calculator →
All-in bank charges on a Letter of Credit.
Usance LC Interest →
Deferred payment cost with correct ACT/360 or ACT/365 basis.
Import Duty & Tax →
Duty, VAT/GST and landed cost per HS code.
Landed Cost by HS & Country →
Interactive duty + VAT/GST + Incoterm split for this destination.
CIF ↔ FOB Converter →
Convert between CIF, FOB and landed cost.
HS Code Lookup →
Search harmonised classification codes.
CBM & Container →
Volume, weight and container utilisation.
Incoterms 2020 Visualiser →
Cost, risk and document split across all 11 rules.
Multi-Currency Invoice →
FX spread and cross-currency invoice value.
Major ports & gateways
  • · Los Angeles / Long Beach - largest US container gateway
  • · New York / New Jersey
  • · Savannah
  • · Houston - largest US port by tonnage (energy)
  • · Seattle-Tacoma (NWSA)
  • · Charleston
  • · Norfolk
  • · Oakland
Top exports
  • · Refined petroleum & LNG
  • · Aircraft & parts
  • · Cars & car parts
  • · Integrated circuits & semiconductors
  • · Soybeans, corn, wheat
  • · Pharmaceuticals
  • · Machinery
Top imports
  • · Cars & car parts
  • · Crude petroleum
  • · Broadcasting equipment & phones
  • · Computers
  • · Pharmaceuticals
  • · Furniture & apparel
  • · Machinery

Trade finance in United States

  • · USD LC usance interest is quoted ACT/360 - the global standard for dollar trade finance.
  • · US banks issue LCs at 0.15-0.30% per quarter for domestic beneficiaries. Confirmation of foreign LCs by US banks costs 0.20-0.50% per quarter depending on issuer risk.
  • · OFAC sanctions screening is mandatory - all US persons and USD transactions are subject to OFAC jurisdiction regardless of where the LC is issued. Our OFAC checker screens beneficiary and applicant names against the SDN list.
  • · Standby LCs governed by ISP98 (rather than UCP 600) dominate US domestic performance and financial-standby usage. Commercial import LCs still follow UCP 600.

Customs & duty in United States

  • · Graham Act (signed 18 Sep 2026) and EO 14436 (16 Oct 2026, 91 FR 66627): 500% additional duty on Russian goods and 100% on goods from certain buyers of Russian oil/gas and evasion facilitators were enacted, but are WAIVED under Sec. 4 of the order as of 21 Oct 2026 and are not collected. The waiver can be withdrawn. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/21/2026-21599/implementing-the-lindsey-o-graham-sanctioning-russia-and-iran-act-of-2026
  • · USMCA preference does not override Section 338 measures: certain Canadian alcoholic beverages, dairy and motor-vehicle products face a 50% additional duty (from 22 Aug 2026), and some face import bans (from 29 Sep 2026). Sources: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/14/2026-18835 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/14/2026-18837 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/14/2026-18839
  • · Section 232 pharmaceuticals from 31 Jul 2026 for Annex III companies and 29 Sep 2026 for all other companies: patented products 100% ALL-IN, not added to MFN (9903.04.60); Japan, EU, South Korea, Switzerland and Liechtenstein 15% ALL-IN, not added to MFN (9903.04.62); UK MFN +0% (9903.04.63), under 91 FR 49406 (FR Doc 2026-15799, https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-15799), reducing the original +10% to 0% from 31 Jul 2026; approved onshoring plan +20% (.64); .65/.66/.70 +0%. Generics (.67) and entries before 29 Sep 2026 (.61): no change, except Annex III companies (from 31 Jul 2026). HS 30 example: generic, no Section 232; covered patented product, 100%, or 15% total for EU origin; UK origin: MFN only. Confirm Annex I coverage before selecting a tariff line. Sources: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/09/2026-06956/adjusting-imports-of-pharmaceuticals-and-pharmaceutical-ingredients-into-the-united-states https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/23/2026-19498
  • · HTSUS is 10 digits. First 6 align with WCO HS; digits 7-8 are US tariff sub-headings; 9-10 are statistical.
  • · MPF (Merchandise Processing Fee): 0.3464% of entered value, min $34.58, max $670.86 per formal entry (FY2027 from 1 Oct 2026, CBP Dec. 26-14; adjusted each fiscal year).
  • · HMF (Harbor Maintenance Fee): 0.125% of value, ocean imports only, no minimum or maximum.
  • · Section 301 China lists: 7.5%-25%+ on many Chinese-origin goods. Section 301 (forced labor): 10% or 12.5% by country on most products of 60 economies, eff. 24 Jul 2026, with Annex I/II exemptions. Section 301 Brazil: 25%, eff. 22 Jul 2026. Section 232 (Proc. 11021 as amended by 11032): 50% / 25% / 15% / 10% tiers on full customs value, by HTS heading 9903.82.xx (CBP CSMS 68855869).
  • · USMCA preferential origin requires a certificate of origin with 9 mandatory data elements; producer, exporter or importer can certify.

Incoterms 2020 practice in United States

  • · FOB is used loosely in the US for domestic sales (Uniform Commercial Code definition ≠ Incoterms). For international shipments, always cite 'Incoterms 2020' expressly.
  • · DDP into the US requires the seller to be the Importer of Record - possible via a US-based agent or Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ). Duty and MPF/HMF liability sits with the IOR.
  • · CIF, CFR and FCA are the practical Incoterms for most containerised US imports.

HS commodity guides for United States

Classification, duty and worked landed-cost examples for the commodity families most active on United States's trade lanes.

HS 61 & 62Consumer goods
HS Code for Textiles & Apparel (Chapters 61 and 62) →
HS 85Electronics
HS Code for Electronics (Chapter 85) →
HS 84Industrial
HS Code for Industrial Machinery (Chapter 84) →
HS 30Regulated
HS Code for Pharmaceuticals (Chapter 30) →
HS 72Metals
HS Code for Iron & Steel (Chapter 72) →
HS 2709Energy
HS Code for Crude Oil (HS 2709) →
HS 2710Energy
HS Code for Petroleum Products (HS 2710) →
HS 74Metals
HS Code for Copper (Chapter 74 & Heading 2603) →

Commodities linked to United States

United States appears in the trade lanes for the commodities below. Each hub covers grades, specs, benchmark pricing and HS code references.

Aluminium →
Top importer
HS 7601 · Section 232 tariffs apply
Petroleum Coke (Petcoke) →
Top exporter
HS 2713 · USGC & West Coast refineries; benchmark origin
Thermal & Coking Coal →
Top exporter
HS 2701 · Appalachian met coal; Powder River thermal

United States's key trading partners

China toolkit →
Import VAT · 13% standard, 9% reduced, 6% services
United Kingdom toolkit →
VAT · 20% standard, 5% reduced, 0% zero-rated
Germany toolkit →
VAT (Umsatzsteuer / Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) · 19% standard, 7% reduced
Japan toolkit →
Consumption Tax (JCT) · 10% standard / 8% reduced (food, newspapers)
South Korea toolkit →
VAT · 10%
Mexico toolkit →
IVA (VAT) · 16% standard / 8% in northern & southern border zones

Frequently asked questions

How is US import duty calculated?

Entered value (typically transaction value = price paid + assists) → HTSUS duty rate → add MPF (0.3464%, capped) and HMF (0.125%, ocean only) → add Section 301 / 232 tariffs where applicable. Use our Import Duty Calculator with the 'USA' preset.

Do I need to worry about Section 301 tariffs?

Yes for most origins. Chinese-origin goods carry the China list tariffs, and since 24 Jul 2026 the forced-labor Section 301 action adds 10% or 12.5% by country on most products of 60 economies (99.4% of US imports), with Annex I/II exemptions. Brazilian goods carry 25% Section 301 since 22 Jul 2026. Origin follows substantial transformation, not the shipping port. Our HS Code Lookup flags high-risk chapters.

What is the Importer of Record?

The IOR is the party legally responsible for filing entry, paying duty and complying with US laws. Foreign sellers doing DDP need a US-based IOR or must appoint a customs broker with power of attorney.

Does the US have VAT on imports?

No federal VAT. State sales & use tax applies at final consumer sale, not at customs entry. This is a key structural difference from EU/UK/India landed-cost calculations.

Country data compiled from WCO HS, WTO tariff schedules, national customs authorities and central banks. Duty, tax and regulatory information is decision-support only - always confirm with a licensed customs broker or your bank before acting.