China → US Import Cost Calculator
Estimate your landed cost per unit — including product cost, freight, insurance, customs duty, tariffs and fees — before you import from China to the United States.
Enter your numbers below. Every rate is a user-entered estimate; we never invent duty, tariff, or exchange-rate values. Results update as you type.
Product
The item you are buying from your supplier.
Cost for one unit, in the selected currency.
Enter the product cost per unit.
Total units in the shipment.
Enter a quantity greater than zero.
Optional — for your reference. Not used in V1 math.
Optional — reference only.
Optional — reference only.
Optional — reference only.
China / origin costs
Costs incurred before the goods leave China.
International shipping
Freight from China to the United States.
Labels your freight only; does not change the math.
US import costs
Duties, tariffs, surcharges and fees assessed on entry.
Bundled HTS snapshot: 5 entries · valid as of 2025-08-01 · sample data — replace before relying on it
Example only — replace with the applicable rate for your product, or use the HTS lookup above.
e.g. Section 301. User-entered estimate.
Any other percentage-based surcharge.
Flat fee in USD.
Customs value
The basis used to calculate duties and tariffs.
CNY → USD exchange rate
Used to convert any CNY amounts into USD.
Live ECB rate is fetched automatically. Override it here if you need a different rate.
Daily ECB reference rate. For planning only — verify before transacting.
Selling & profitability (optional)
Skip this to calculate landed cost only.
Enter your numbers to see the result
Please fix the highlighted fields.
- • Enter the product cost per unit.
- • Enter a quantity greater than zero.
Scenario comparison
Save up to 3 versions of your inputs (stored privately in this browser) and compare landed cost and profit side by side.
Understanding your China import cost
What is landed cost?
Landed cost is the total cost of a product once it has arrived, cleared customs, and is ready to sell in the United States. It is more than the factory price: it includes freight, insurance, duties, tariffs and various fees. Knowing your landed cost per unit tells you the true minimum you can pay for a product and still break even.
How to calculate the cost of importing from China
The calculation follows a simple sequence:
- Start with the product cost (cost per unit × quantity).
- Add China-origin costs: domestic shipping, export handling, documentation.
- Add international freight and insurance.
- This sum is your pre-import cost.
- Add import costs: customs duty, any additional tariff, surcharges, brokerage and port fees.
- The result is your landed cost. Divide by quantity for landed cost per unit.
What costs are included in landed cost?
- Product cost: what you pay the factory per unit.
- Origin costs: moving goods to the port of export and preparing paperwork.
- International logistics: ocean, air or express freight plus insurance.
- Import costs: duties, tariffs, surcharges, brokerage and terminal fees.
How import duties and tariffs affect your cost
US customs duties are usually calculated as a percentage of the customs value of the goods. The rate depends on the product’s classification (its HS code) and country of origin. On top of the base duty, certain Chinese-origin goods may be subject to additional tariffs (for example, measures applied under Section 301). Because rates vary by product, this calculator asks you to enter the rate that applies to your specific item rather than assuming one.
The authoritative sources for US rates are the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) tariff schedule. Always confirm the rate for your HS code before relying on a number for pricing.
Duty vs tariff vs tax vs fees
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they are different:
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Customs duty | A tax on imported goods, set by the product classification (HS code). |
| Additional tariff | A supplementary duty applied in specific cases (e.g. country- or product-specific measures). |
| Tax | May include federal excise or state-level taxes that apply to certain goods. |
| Brokerage / port fee | Service and handling charges from your customs broker and the terminal. |
How shipping costs affect landed cost
Freight is often the largest variable. Ocean freight is cheaper per unit but slower; air and express are faster but can cost many times more. Insurance protects against loss or damage in transit. Because the calculator keeps freight separate from product cost, you can use the sensitivity view to see exactly how a change in freight shifts your per-unit landed cost.
Worked example
The following is an illustrative example using round numbers. It is not a quote and does not represent any current tariff rate.
| Item | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Product: 1,000 units × $8.00 | $8,000.00 |
| International freight | $1,500.00 |
| Insurance | $50.00 |
| Customs duty (5% of $8,000) | $400.00 |
| Additional tariff (10% of $8,000) | $800.00 |
| Customs brokerage | $250.00 |
| Landed cost (total) | $11,000.00 |
| Landed cost per unit | $11.00 |
How to calculate profit after importing
Once you know your landed cost, subtract it from your revenue and then subtract selling costs: marketplace fees, payment processing, advertising and any other selling expenses. What remains is your contribution profit. The calculator’s optional profitability section also shows profit per unit, margin, and the break-even selling price — the price at which you cover all costs but make nothing.
Break-even selling price per unit ≈ (landed cost + fixed selling costs) ÷ quantity ÷ (1 − total percentage selling costs). If your combined percentage selling costs reach or exceed 100%, break-even is not calculable.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this calculator a customs determination?
- No. It provides estimates for planning. Actual duties and tariffs depend on product classification, valuation and current regulations, confirmed with official US sources or a licensed customs broker.
- Where do I find the duty rate for my product?
- Duty rates are tied to the product’s HS code. The USITC tariff schedule and U.S. Customs and Border Protection publish the relevant information; a customs broker can confirm the rate for your specific goods.
- Does the calculator use live exchange rates?
- No. The exchange rate is an editable example. Enter the rate from your bank or forwarder for an accurate result. A future version may support live rates.
- Is my data sent anywhere?
- No. All calculations run in your browser. Saved scenarios are stored only in your local browser and are not uploaded.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational and planning purposes only. Actual customs duties, tariffs, taxes, fees and shipping costs may vary based on product classification, origin, valuation, shipping terms, current regulations and other circumstances. Verify applicable requirements with official US government sources or a qualified customs professional. This is not legal, customs, or tax advice.
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