International Shipping Duties Calculator
Calculate the customs duty owed on an international shipment, factoring in the duty-free threshold, product value, shipping, and insurance. Useful for importers and online shoppers crossing customs limits.
About this calculator
Many countries apply import duty only when a shipment's total value exceeds a duty-free threshold (also called a de minimis value). Below that threshold, no duty is charged. The taxable base — known as the CIF value — is the sum of the product value, shipping cost, and insurance. Duty is only levied on the amount exceeding the threshold: Duty = max(0, (value + shipping + insurance − threshold) × duty_rate / 100). The total landed cost is then: Total = value + shipping + insurance + Duty. For example, if the US de minimis threshold is $800, shipments under that value clear customs duty-free. Knowing the threshold for your destination country can help you time or split purchases to minimize duty exposure legally.
How to use
Suppose you buy goods worth $950, pay $60 shipping, and $15 insurance to a country with a $200 duty-free threshold and a 10% duty rate. CIF value = $950 + $60 + $15 = $1,025. Dutiable amount = $1,025 − $200 = $825. Duty = $825 × 10/100 = $82.50. Total landed cost = $1,025 + $82.50 = $1,107.50. Had your CIF value been $195, it would fall below the $200 threshold and duty = $0, saving you $82.50.
Frequently asked questions
What is a duty-free threshold and how does it affect my import costs?
A duty-free threshold, or de minimis value, is the maximum CIF (cost + insurance + freight) value of a shipment that can enter a country without incurring customs duty. Below this amount, goods clear customs automatically at zero duty. Thresholds vary widely: the US sets it at $800, the EU at €150, Australia at AUD 1,000, and Canada at CAD 20. If your shipment exceeds the threshold, duty applies only to the amount above it, not the entire value. Planning purchases around these thresholds can result in meaningful savings.
What is CIF value and why is it used as the basis for customs duty?
CIF stands for Cost, Insurance, and Freight — it represents the total cost of goods at the point of entry into the destination country. Customs authorities use CIF value as the duty base because it reflects the full economic value of the import, including what it cost to transport and protect the goods. Using only the product price would understate value and allow importers to artificially reduce duty by inflating shipping costs or vice versa. The formula in this calculator sums product value, shipping cost, and insurance to arrive at the correct CIF figure before applying the duty rate.
How do I find the correct duty rate for my imported product?
Duty rates are assigned based on a product's HS (Harmonized System) code — a standardized international classification system with over 5,000 product categories. You can look up HS codes and their corresponding duty rates using official government tools such as the US International Trade Commission's tariff database (hts.usitc.gov) or the EU's TARIC database. Rates differ not only by product type but also by the trade relationship between the exporting and importing countries — preferential trade agreements can reduce rates to zero. Always classify your product carefully, as misclassification can lead to penalties or unexpected charges at customs clearance.