Tariffs are paid by the importer, but research on the 2018–19 and 2025 U.S. tariffs found most of the cost passed through to U.S. prices. U.S. tariff rates changed often during 2025–26 – check the current HTS rate for your product and origin.
How to use the Tariff Calculator
- Customs value of goods
- Tariff rate (ad valorem)
- Specific duty per unit
- Number of units
- Merchandise processing fee
- Shipping and insurance
- Pass-through to consumer prices
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the customs value of the goods, the tariff rate, any duty per unit, fees, shipping, units and the expected pass-through to consumers.
Tips
- Use real (inflation-adjusted) figures to compare across years.
- Check whether data are seasonally adjusted.
- Use the same currency and base year throughout.
- Economic models simplify reality – treat results as illustrations, not forecasts.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing nominal and real values.
- Comparing percentage changes with percentage-point changes.
- Treating correlations as causes.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Customs value of goods | Amount in your currency |
| Tariff rate (ad valorem) | In % |
| Specific duty per unit | Amount in your currency |
| Number of units | A number |
| Merchandise processing fee | In % |
| Shipping and insurance | Amount in your currency |
| Pass-through to consumer prices | In % |
What each result means
- Import duty = [Customs value of goods]×[Tariff rate (ad valorem)]÷100 + [Specific duty per unit]×[Number of units]
- Fees = [Customs value of goods]×[Merchandise processing fee]÷100
- Total landed cost = [Customs value of goods] + [Import duty] + [Fees] + [Shipping and insurance]
- Landed cost per unit = [Total landed cost]÷[Number of units]
- Estimated consumer price increase per unit = [Import duty]×[Pass-through to consumer prices]÷100÷[Number of units]
- Effective duty rate = [Import duty]÷[Customs value of goods]×100
Example values
How the main result changes when Customs value of goods changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Customs value of goods | Total landed cost |
|---|---|
| 25,000 | 32,586.6 |
| 37,500 | 47,629.9 |
| 50,000 | 62,673.2 |
| 62,500 | 77,716.5 |
| 75,000 | 92,759.8 |
| 100,000 | 122,846.4 |
Formula
Ad valorem duty = customs value × tariff rateSpecific duty = units × duty per unitLanded cost = value + duty + fees + shippingConsumer price increase ≈ duty × pass-through ÷ unitsWorked example
Inputs — Customs value of goods: $50,000; Tariff rate (ad valorem): 20 %; Specific duty per unit: $0; Number of units: 1,000; Merchandise processing fee: 0.3464 %; Shipping and insurance: $2,500; Pass-through to consumer prices: 80 %.
Results — Import duty = $10,000.00; Fees = $173.20; Total landed cost = $62,673.20; Landed cost per unit = $62.67; Estimated consumer price increase per unit = $8.00; Effective duty rate = 20 %.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays a tariff?
The importer pays it at the border; much of the cost is usually passed on to consumers.
What is an ad valorem tariff?
A duty charged as a percentage of the goods' value.
Where can I find U.S. tariff rates?
In the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) from the U.S. International Trade Commission.
What formula does the Tariff Calculator use?
Ad valorem duty = customs value × tariff rate.