A practical walkthrough of how import duties are calculated from HS classification to landed cost and how InstaDuty automates each step.
Every import duty calculation starts with a correct Harmonized System code. Ten digits in the US (HTSUS), six internationally the code determines which duty rate applies. InstaDuty's AI matches your product description against the full HTSUS catalog with confidence scoring.
Duty is charged on the customs value: commercial invoice price + freight + insurance (CIF for most countries, FOB for the US). Make sure the value you enter matches the basis your destination uses.
Duty rate × customs value = base duty. InstaDuty pulls the rate from the current schedule and shows whether a preferential program (USMCA, GSP, CBI) gives you a lower rate.
On top of duty: MPF (0.3464%, capped), HMF (0.125% on ocean freight), Section 301 tariffs (7.5%100% on listed China origins), and any anti-dumping or countervailing orders.
Landed cost = invoice value + freight + insurance + duty + MPF + HMF + 301 + AD/CVD + broker fees. InstaDuty rolls all of this into a single stamped PDF report you can forward to your broker.
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