Overseas Purchase Duty: The $800 Line Is Gone
Buying directly from an overseas retailer means your package can be stopped for duty in a way that domestic shipping never is. For years the Section 321 de minimis rule let orders worth $800 or less clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection duty-free, but that exemption was suspended for China and Hong Kong on May 2, 2025 and for every other country on August 29, 2025 (Executive Order 14324). CBP rules issued in 2026 keep the suspension in place indefinitely, so even a small order now owes duty at its normal tariff rate. Status as of October 2026.
How the Estimate Is Built
| Step | Item | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dutiable value | Item price (freight & insurance excluded) |
| 2 | De minimis check | Suspended — no duty-free threshold |
| 3 | Duty | Item price × category duty rate |
| 4 | Total cost | Item price + shipping & insurance + duty |
Duty rates vary widely by product category under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule — many electronics enter duty-free while apparel and footwear commonly run 8% to 32%. Some products and origins also carry additional tariffs on top of the regular rate, so origin matters as much as value. For an exact rate, check the official HTS lookup before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Executive Order 14324 suspended the Section 321 duty-free de minimis treatment for all countries from August 29, 2025 (China and Hong Kong lost it on May 2, 2025), and CBP rules issued in 2026 keep the suspension in place indefinitely. Low-value packages now owe duty at their normal tariff rate.
Generally no. U.S. duty is assessed on the transaction value of the goods, and international freight and insurance are excluded from that value (19 U.S.C. 1401a). They still add to what you pay out of pocket, so this calculator includes them in the total cost but not in the duty base.
Often, yes. Carriers may add a brokerage or entry-processing fee, and some products or origins carry additional tariffs on top of the regular HTS rate. If you know those extra percentages, add them into the duty rate field.
※ This is a reference estimate only. Duty rates, country exceptions, and de minimis rules can change — confirm exact figures with CBP.