Overseas Purchase Duty: Know the $800 Line First
Buying directly from an overseas retailer means your package can be stopped for duty in a way that domestic shipping never is. The good news is the Section 321 de minimis rule: if the fair retail value of your order is $800 or less, it typically clears U.S. Customs and Border Protection duty-free with no formal entry required. Cross that line and the entire declared value becomes dutiable, not just the amount above $800, so keeping single orders under the threshold can meaningfully change what you pay at the border.
How the Estimate Is Built
| Step | Item | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Declared value | Item price + shipping & insurance |
| 2 | De minimis check | Item price ≤ $800? |
| 3 | Duty | Declared value × category duty rate |
| 4 | Total cost | Declared value + 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%. Note that low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong lost de minimis treatment in 2025 and are now dutiable regardless of price, so origin matters as much as value. For an exact rate, check the official HTS lookup before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shipments valued at $800 or less per person per day generally enter duty-free without formal entry, though deliberate order-splitting to dodge duty is not allowed.
The threshold is based on the merchandise's fair retail value; shipping and insurance are typically excluded from that specific test.
No — the full declared value becomes dutiable, not just the portion above $800.
※ This is a reference estimate only. Duty rates, country exceptions, and de minimis rules can change — confirm exact figures with CBP.