Jan 13, 2026
Import Duty from China to USA: What You Need to Know in 2026
Overview of Import Duty from China to the US
Planning to import from China to the US? It’s crucial to stay up-to-date on import duties and customs regulations, especially with recent changes in 2025. Import costs can significantly impact your bottom line, so understanding Section 301 tariffs and accurately calculating import taxes will help you avoid surprises and optimize costs. Below, we break down the key information you need to know for importing from China in 2026.
Understanding 301 Tariffs and Their Impact
What Are 301 Tariffs?
Section 301 tariffs are additional import duties the US government imposed on Chinese goods in response to China’s unfair trade practices (especially around technology transfer and intellectual property). After an investigation in 2018, the US determined that certain Chinese policies were harming American businesses, and it authorized tariffs as retaliation. Starting in 2018 and 2019, four rounds of Section 301 tariffs were rolled out, covering a wide range of imports, from raw materials to consumer goods. Each list of tariffs corresponded to a set of products (identified by their Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes) and an additional duty rate.
In total, over $360 billion in annual imports from China were subject to these duty rates ranging from 7.5% to 25% (depending on the list). For instance, List 1 and List 2 items have a 25% extra tariff, List 3 items also faced 25% (increased from an initial 10%), and List 4A items carry 7.5%. These percentages are on top of the normal tariff for the product. So if a piece of machinery normally has a 5% duty, and it’s on List 3, the total tariff would be 30%. Section 301 tariffs affected thousands of product categories, from electronics and appliances to furniture, auto parts, and apparel.
These tariffs against China have persisted for several years, but it’s important to note that 301 tariffs are not meant to be permanent. Exclusion processes and legally mandated periodic reviews have tweaked the scope of the tariffs, but as of 2026 they are still a reality for most imports from China. 301 tariffs have undoubtedly become a fixture of importing from China, and every importer should check if their goods are impacted.
How 301 Tariffs Affect Import Duty Rates
301 tariffs raise the import tax on affected Chinese products by a substantial margin, and the impact of these duties on your cost structure can be significant. For example, many electronics and machinery items from China that would normally incur a modest duty now face an extra 25% Section 301 tariff. For importers, this has meant billions of dollars in additional duties paid. In fact, in fiscal year 2022 alone, nearly $50 billion in Section 301 tariffs were collected on Chinese imports by US Customs.
The added cost from 301 tariffs can dramatically change the economics of importing certain products. A 25% duty hike might make an overseas supplier far less competitive, forcing businesses to either raise their US prices or search for alternative sourcing. Some companies have managed to adapt (for instance, by shifting supply chains to other countries), while others simply budget for the tariffs as a cost of doing business with China. Cumulatively, since 2018, US importers have paid over two hundred billion dollars in these extra duties, a testament to just how widespread the impact has been on the manufacturing and retail sectors.
On the positive side, there have been tariff exclusion processes offering relief for certain products. USTR periodically allowed importers to request exclusions for specific items that couldn’t be sourced elsewhere. If those exclusions were granted, those particular imports could enter duty-free despite being on a tariff list. However, exclusions were temporary. Many expired at the end of 2020, though a subset were reinstated or extended later (particularly for medical supplies and other critical items). USTR has continued to extend some Section 301 exclusions – for example, in mid-2025 it announced a three-month extension for 352 product exclusions, pushing their validity into late 2025. It is vital to stay informed about any exclusions or updates that may apply to your goods, as it could save you the extra 7.5-25% tariff on a product.
Learn more about 301 tariffs and how to find out if they apply to your products here.
Calculating Import Duty with the US Import Tax Calculator
Once you’ve checked which duties apply to your product, the next step is calculating the total import tax you’ll owe. Many importers use a US import tax calculator to estimate the landed cost of goods. These calculators (often web-based tools) provide you with an estimate of total taxes for your shipment. Here’s how to use them effectively and some tips to ensure your estimates are accurate.
How to Use the Calculator Effectively
Using an import duty calculator typically involves entering a few key pieces of information:
Product classification (HTS code): Every import item is classified under a 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) code. To proceed, you must know this code for your product. If you’re not sure, consult your supplier or a customs broker, or use the U.S. International Trade Commission’s online HTS search tool to find the appropriate code. The code is crucial because all duty rates, including any Section 301 tariffs, are tied to it.
Declared value of the goods: This is usually the price you paid the supplier (the cost of the goods). US duties are generally assessed on the Freight on Board (FOB) price (cost of the goods, not including international shipping or insurance). Enter the value in USD. If the calculator asks for CIF (cost+insurance+freight), include those as instructed.
Country of origin: This usually matters for determining if any Free Trade Agreement rates apply (in this case, there’s no FTA with China, but it flags that standard MFN and any China-specific tariffs apply).
Shipping costs and insurance (if needed): Some calculators allow you to input freight costs to give a total landed cost including shipping. This doesn’t affect duty (again, US duty is on product value, not shipping, in most cases) but helps you see the full picture.
Any special program or exemption: If your goods qualify for something special (unlikely for China, but for example a duty-free treaty or an exclusion), there might be options to indicate that.
After inputting these details, the calculator will generate an estimate of your product’s regular import duty (MFN rate), additional tariffs (like Section 301), and other fees (possibly the Merchandise Processing Fee or Harbor Maintenance Fee), summed up to show you the total in USD you’ll pay upon impact.
Tips for Accurate Duty Estimations
Be mindful of what the calculator includes: Many free online calculators focus on the base MFN duty and do not automatically add Section 301 tariffs or other special duties. If the tool isn’t explicitly updated for the trade war tariffs, you might get a result that’s too low. For accuracy, use a calculator that accounts for the China 301 tariffs and incorporates real-time updates, like Gaia Dynamics’ Tariff Engine.
Double-check product classification: An incorrect HTS code will yield the wrong duty rate. If uncertain about your code, consult a customs broker or use the USITC’s search to confirm. Getting the code right is especially important because some codes might be subject to the 301 tariff while a similar code is not. Even one digit off can make a difference.
Use current data: Tariff rates and rules can change, so ensure the calculator’s information is up-to-date. 2025 has seen multiple updates to tariffs: in fact, the US tariff schedule was updated 15 times by mid-2025 due to various policy changes. If you’re using a saved spreadsheet or an older calculator, update it with the latest rates or use an online tool that is maintained regularly.
Include import fees in your cost projection: Import duty is only one part of the equation. As noted, don’t forget the Merchandise Processing Fee, which for formal entries is 0.3464% of the value (minimum $29.66, max $575 as of 2025), and the Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125% on ocean shipments). They’re relatively small, but they contribute to the total landed cost. If your calculator doesn’t show them, factor them in separately.
Changes and Updates to Import Duty Policies as of 2026
The past few years have brought noteworthy changes and developments in US import duty policy, particularly regarding China. Importers should be aware of these updates, as they could affect duty rates and compliance requirements:
Section 301 review concluded with net increases in key sectors: The US Trade Representative completed its statutory four-year review of the China Section 301 tariffs in 2024, and many of those outcomes carried into 2025 and beyond. Rather than reducing duties, USTR confirmed maintenance and expansion of tariffs on select product groups, including certain industrial and tech products, under the longstanding China intellectual property and technology transfer investigation. These adjustments have persisted into 2026, meaning many Chinese-origin goods continue to carry heightened Section 301 duty burdens.
New emergency tariffs triggered legal fights: In early 2025, the White House imposed two new rounds of tariffs: a 20% surcharge on Chinese goods tied to fentanyl enforcement, and a 10% global “reciprocal tariff” targeting countries with large trade surpluses. Both were enacted under IEEPA emergency authority. Federal courts quickly challenged the move. By May, the Court of International Trade ruled the President had overstepped, but a stay on the ruling allowed duties to continue during the appeal. These global reciprocal tariffs are now a key part of duty modeling in 2026, and apply alongside other trade measures.
Legal challenges have delayed and reshaped enforcement: Several court decisions in 2025 challenged the president’s authority to impose IEEPA tariffs, leading to injunctions in some cases. Although these rulings stayed tariff collection during appeals, the legal environment remains unsettled, and some measures remain in effect while litigation continues into 2026.
Section 301 exclusions were extended into 2026: In late November 2025, USTR extended 178 previously granted exclusions from China Section 301 tariffs until November 10, 2026. This gives importers continued temporary relief for qualifying products that otherwise face higher duty layers. These extended exclusions cover specific HTS descriptions and apply as long as the goods meet the specified criteria.
Duty-free de minimis treatment suspended: The $800 de minimis threshold, which historically allowed low-value packages from China and other countries to enter the US duty-free, was suspended in September 2025. Retailers relying on low-cost fulfillment models began shifting to third-country hubs or warehousing in Mexico to mitigate the cost.
