Import Duty Calculator – Customs Duty, VAT/GST and Landed Cost
The Import Duty Calculator helps you estimate the total cost of bringing goods into a country. Instead of guessing how customs duty, VAT or GST and fixed fees will affect your shipment, this tool breaks the cost down into customs value, tax amounts and landed cost per unit.
Every customs authority has its own detailed rules, but most imports use similar building blocks: CIF customs value, customs duty as a percentage of that value, VAT or GST charged on a tax base that includes duty, and extra fees such as brokerage, inspection or port charges. This calculator lets you model all of these pieces in one place for planning and comparison.
How the Import Duty Calculator Works
The calculator is organized into five practical modes:
- Import Duty: Calculate customs duty, VAT or GST and other percentage taxes from customs value.
- CIF Value: Add goods, freight, insurance and other charges to obtain the customs value base.
- Landed Cost: Combine product cost, shipping, duty, VAT and fixed fees to get landed cost per unit.
- HS Duty Rate: Use an HS-based duty rate with surcharges and VAT to see the effective total tax rate.
- Customs Fees: Summarize brokerage, port and inspection fees per shipment and per year.
The tool does not know your country’s official tariff schedule, so you enter your own duty percentage, VAT or GST rate and any additional import taxes. That makes it flexible enough for use in almost any jurisdiction.
Mode 1: Import Duty from Customs Value
The Import Duty mode assumes you already know the customs value of your shipment, typically based on CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight). You then specify customs duty, VAT or GST and any other percentage-based taxes.
Key Formulas for Import Duty
Other Taxes = Customs Value × Other Tax Rate%
VAT / GST Base = Customs Value + Customs Duty + Other Taxes
VAT / GST = VAT Base × VAT Rate%
Total import taxes are the sum of customs duty, other percentage taxes and VAT or GST. The total landed cost for this mode is simply customs value plus all calculated taxes.
Mode 2: CIF Value Calculator
The CIF Value mode builds the customs value from its typical components. You enter product cost, freight or shipping cost, cargo insurance and any other charges that your customs authority considers dutiable.
CIF Customs Value Formula
The calculator also shows the percentage share of each component in the total CIF value, which is useful when negotiating shipping or insurance rates. Reducing freight or insurance can make a noticeable difference when duty and VAT are calculated on a CIF basis.
Mode 3: Landed Cost per Unit
The Landed Cost mode is designed for importers who want to know the true per-unit cost of goods after all import charges. You enter unit cost from your supplier, quantity, freight and insurance for the shipment, duty and VAT rates, plus any fixed fees such as brokerage or port charges.
Landed Cost Calculation
Customs Value = Goods Total + Freight & Insurance
Duty = Customs Value × Duty Rate%
VAT / GST Base = Customs Value + Duty
VAT / GST = VAT Base × VAT Rate%
Total Landed Cost = Customs Value + Duty + VAT / GST + Fixed Fees
Landed Cost per Unit = Total Landed Cost ÷ Quantity
This gives you a realistic unit cost that includes international logistics and taxes, which is critical when setting resale prices or comparing suppliers across different countries.
Mode 4: HS Duty Rate Helper
When you know the HS code and its assigned duty rate, the HS Duty Rate mode helps you see how that rate interacts with VAT or GST and any additional surcharges. You enter customs value, basic duty percentage, any extra duty percentage and VAT or GST rate.
HS-Based Duty and VAT
Additional Duty = Customs Value × Additional Duty Rate%
Duty Total = Basic Duty + Additional Duty
VAT Base = Customs Value + Duty Total
VAT / GST = VAT Base × VAT Rate%
The calculator then reports the total tax amount on that HS line and an effective total tax rate as a percentage of customs value. This makes it easier to compare different HS categories or evaluate the impact of surcharges.
Mode 5: Customs Fees and Surcharges
Beyond percentage-based taxes, most importers face fixed fees on each shipment. The Customs Fees mode lets you enter brokerage, port and handling fees, inspection or security charges and any other fixed amounts. You also specify how many shipments you expect per year and an optional average customs value per shipment.
Customs Fees Formulas
Fees per Year = Fees per Shipment × Shipments per Year
Fee Percentage of Customs Value = Fees per Shipment ÷ Customs Value × 100
To make comparisons easier, the calculator also shows average fee per 1,000 units of customs value, which can be useful when deciding whether to consolidate shipments or adjust order sizes.
Why Use an Import Duty and Landed Cost Calculator?
Importing goods involves more than just the price you pay to a supplier. Customs duty, VAT or GST, shipping and fixed fees can increase your real cost significantly. Without a clear breakdown, it is easy to underestimate the final landed cost and set prices too low.
Using this calculator helps you:
- Estimate duties and taxes before placing an order.
- Compare different scenarios for quantities, shipping methods and suppliers.
- See how changes in duty or VAT rates affect your margins.
- Understand how much fixed fees contribute to the cost per unit.
- Plan cash flow for regular importers with multiple shipments per year.
Limitations and Assumptions
This import duty calculator is a planning and education tool. It does not reflect all the complexities of real-world customs systems. Common limitations include:
- Duty rates, VAT or GST rates, exemptions and thresholds are not built in; you must enter them manually.
- Some countries use minimum values, specific duties per unit, quotas or anti-dumping duties that are not modeled.
- Currency conversions, valuation adjustments and documentation requirements are not covered.
- Different goods can attract different rates within the same shipment depending on HS classification.
For binding calculations and official declarations, always consult your customs broker, logistics provider or local customs authority and use their official tools or rulings.
How to Use This Tool Effectively
- Use the CIF Value tab first if you need to build customs value from cost, freight and insurance.
- Switch to the Import Duty tab to apply duty, VAT or GST and other percentage-based taxes to that customs value.
- Use the Landed Cost tab when you want a per-unit cost that includes taxes and fixed fees.
- Enter HS-based duty rates in the HS Duty Rate tab to see effective total tax percentages.
- Use the Customs Fees tab to understand how much fixed-fee overhead each shipment carries.
- Run several scenarios with different duty and VAT rates to understand best- and worst-case outcomes.
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Import Duty Calculator FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Import Duty and Landed Cost
Find answers to common questions about customs duty, VAT/GST, CIF value, landed cost and customs fees calculations.
Customs value is the value used by customs authorities to calculate duty and tax. In many systems it is based on CIF, which includes the cost of goods, freight and insurance. Some countries use different valuation methods, so always check local rules.
No. You must look up the correct duty rate for your HS code from your customs authority or broker, then enter that rate into the calculator. This keeps the tool flexible for global use.
Many countries apply VAT or GST not only on the goods value but also on customs duty and some other import taxes. The calculator reflects this common structure by treating customs value plus duty and other taxes as the VAT or GST base unless you adjust the inputs differently.
Yes. The same formulas work for both personal and commercial imports. However, low-value shipments or special programs may receive simplified treatment or exemptions that are not modeled here.
No. All values are assumed to be in the same currency. For real calculations, you must convert supplier invoices into the import currency using the exchange rate accepted by your customs authority.
No. The calculator is for informational and planning purposes only. It does not replace advice from customs brokers, logistics providers, tax professionals or government authorities.