An international order delivered to a U.S. address can create several separate charges. A bill may include a federal import duty, a state or local tax, and a private brokerage fee from the carrier. The amount depends on the product, country of origin, declared value, entry rules, and shipping terms.

This guide is for U.S. consumers buying goods from abroad. If the package enters another country, that destination's customs and tax rules control.

The short answer

A customs bill usually depends on:

• Product classification: The U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule assigns goods to tariff classifications.
• Country of origin: This means where the product was made under applicable origin rules, not simply where the seller or package is located.
• Customs value: The value reported for import purposes may not equal the checkout total.
• Entry treatment: Low-value rules, exemptions, and special tariff measures can change the result.
• Shipping terms: DDP and DAP determine whether the seller or buyer normally handles import charges.
• Carrier fees: A courier can charge for customs clearance or advancing money, even when the government duty is low or zero.

The phrase “customs fees” is often used for all of these charges, but they don't all come from the government.

What each charge means

The United States doesn't have a general federal value-added tax. A “tax” line on an order may instead refer to state sales tax, an overseas tax, or a carrier's billing category. Ask for an itemized invoice if the label is unclear.

Is the $800 de minimis exemption still a guarantee?

No. U.S. shoppers often see older advice saying that packages valued at $800 or less automatically enter duty-free under Section 321. For a 2026 purchase, don't treat that statement as a guarantee.

CBP's e-commerce FAQ states that the suspension applies to merchandise valued at $800 or less arriving by all modes, including the international postal network, unless a separate authority specifically excepts it. That means a seller's old “under $800, no customs charges” wording may be outdated.

The suspension doesn't create one standard duty rate for every parcel. A product may still have a zero duty rate under its classification, while another product may owe duty or additional entry charges. The result can also depend on origin, special tariff measures, the shipment's paperwork, and the current entry process.

Don't assume that splitting a shopping cart into several orders creates an exemption. Shipment consolidation, the buyer, the seller, and the applicable rules can affect how an order is treated. Never ask a seller to falsify the value or description.

A purchased item also doesn't become duty-free simply because it is marked “gift.” CBP describes a bona fide gift as an item previously owned by the donor and given outright without compensation. A new product bought from an online store generally doesn't meet that description.

How to estimate customs charges

There is no single U.S. rate that applies to electronics, clothing, or every other product category. Use this process instead.

1. Identify the exact product

A broad description such as “electronics,” “clothing,” or “supplements” isn't enough. Classification may depend on:

• The product's material and composition
• Its function and intended use
• Whether it is a finished product, component, or accessory
• Its packaging and quantity
• Whether another agency restricts or regulates the item

The seller's HS or HTS code is useful as a starting point, but it isn't a guarantee that the code is correct. Check the current U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule or ask a qualified customs broker for help with a difficult classification.

2. Confirm the country of origin

A parcel shipped from a warehouse in one country may contain goods manufactured in another. The shipping location alone doesn't establish origin.

Origin can affect the ordinary duty rate, preferential treatment under a trade agreement, and additional tariffs. For goods from Canada or Mexico, use the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement rather than the former NAFTA. A product must meet the agreement's origin rules, and the importer must have appropriate support for the claim.

3. Determine the customs value

Customs value is the amount used for duty assessment. It often starts with the price paid, but the applicable valuation rules determine what must be included or excluded. The customs value may not be the same as:

• The amount charged to your credit card
• The seller's advertised item price
• The total including domestic sales tax
• The shipping charge shown at checkout

Ask the seller or broker what value appears on the commercial invoice. Compare it with the order confirmation and product description.

4. Apply the applicable duty rate

A rough calculation is:

Estimated duty = applicable duty rate × customs value

This is only an estimate. Special tariffs, origin claims, exemptions, and entry fees can change the final amount.

For example, if the customs value is $200 and the applicable rate is 5%, the estimated duty is $10. If the carrier separately charges a hypothetical $25 clearance fee, the total would be $35 before any other applicable tax. The 5% rate and $25 fee are illustrations, not a typical or guaranteed quote.

5. Add taxes and carrier charges

Add any applicable state or local tax, import-related tax, and private carrier fees. Ask whether the quoted shipping service includes:

• Customs clearance
• Import duty
• Sales or other tax
• Brokerage
• Advancement or disbursement charges
• Return processing

“Free international shipping” normally describes transportation only. It doesn't necessarily mean duties and taxes are included.

DDP, DAP, and who pays

The delivery term in the order matters more than the courier's name.

• DDP, or Delivered Duty Paid: The seller generally handles import clearance and pays the duties and taxes included in the agreement.
• DAP, or Delivered at Place: The buyer generally handles import clearance and pays import charges when the shipment arrives.

A store can use these terms differently in its consumer-facing checkout, so read the exclusions. “Taxes included” might mean only sales tax collected by the merchant. Look for specific language covering customs duty, brokerage, and import charges.

If the seller says duties are included but the courier later requests payment, save a screenshot of the checkout promise and ask both parties to explain the discrepancy. The seller's commercial promise may help you seek reimbursement, but it doesn't automatically change the customs entry.

What to check before placing an order

Use this checklist for an international purchase:

1. Read the delivery terms. Find out whether the shipment is DDP, DAP, or another arrangement.
2. Ask for the likely country of origin. “Ships from” is not always the same as “made in.”
3. Request the product classification if the item is expensive or unusual.
4. Check the current low-value treatment. Don't rely on an old $800 statement.
5. Calculate the landed cost. Include the item, shipping, possible duty, tax, and carrier fees.
6. Review the return policy. Check who handles duties, brokerage, and return shipping.
7. Check restrictions. Supplements, cosmetics, batteries, food, medical products, and counterfeit goods may receive additional scrutiny.
8. Compare carriers using total charges. The cheapest shipping rate may come with a higher clearance fee.
9. Keep the invoice and product specifications. They can help if the carrier or customs broker asks questions.

Buying from a U.S. retailer or warehouse may avoid a new customs bill at your door, although the seller may already have included import costs in the price. Compare the final price rather than the advertised product price alone.

What to do when a carrier asks for payment

First, verify that the request is real. Open the shipment through the merchant's order page or type the carrier's official website into your browser rather than using an unsolicited text-message link.

Then request an itemized statement showing:

• The tracking number and shipment description
• Declared customs value
• Country of origin
• Classification or tariff code used
• Government duty or tax
• Brokerage or clearance fee
• Any advancement or disbursement charge
• Payment deadline and consequences of nonpayment

A licensed customs broker may prepare an entry for the owner or purchaser, but CBP says the broker must be properly designated. Verify the broker's identity and the authorization before sharing documents or payment information.

If you don't understand the invoice, contact the carrier before the deadline. Ask whether the shipment can be held while the seller corrects the paperwork. Refusing a package without checking the seller's return terms can lead to a return, storage, or refund dispute.

How to challenge an incorrect customs charge

Separate a government assessment from a private invoice.

If the carrier's fee is wrong

Ask the carrier to identify the fee in its published tariff or service terms. A brokerage or advancement fee is not the same as duty, and a disagreement with the carrier's fee should be raised with the carrier or broker.

If the customs value, origin, or classification is wrong

Contact the seller and the broker promptly. Provide:

• The order confirmation
• The commercial invoice
• Product specifications and photographs
• Material or ingredient information
• Proof of the actual price paid
• Evidence of the manufacturing country
• The carrier's assessment

Ask whether the entry can be corrected before final processing. Don't request a lower value, a false country of origin, or a misleading product description.

If the issue is a CBP determination

A formal customs appeal or protest is different from a complaint about a courier's invoice. CBP's appeal procedures discuss administrative review for customs rulings and origin determinations, including procedures connected with USMCA. The applicable process and deadline depend on the type of decision.

If you are listed as the importer of record, read the CBP notice and contact the broker or CBP promptly. Don't assume that a carrier's customer-service deadline is the same as a customs appeal deadline.

Returns and customs refunds

A refund for the merchandise, a refund of sales tax, a duty correction, and a refund of brokerage are separate issues.

Before returning an imported item, ask the seller and carrier:

• Whether the seller refunds duties or only the product price
• Who pays return shipping
• Whether a customs refund procedure may apply
• What export or return evidence is required
• Whether the carrier will keep any processing fee
• Whether the item must be returned through a particular method

Keep the original invoice, tracking records, return authorization, proof of export, and delivery confirmation. A seller's return label doesn't automatically erase the original customs charge, and a card billing dispute doesn't automatically cancel a valid customs debt.

Lawful ways to reduce the total cost

You can reduce surprises without trying to evade customs rules:

• Choose a seller that clearly offers DDP pricing.
• Compare the final landed price from domestic and international sellers.
• Ask whether a qualifying USMCA or other trade preference applies.
• Use an accurate product description and country of origin.
• Compare carrier brokerage and advancement fees before shipping.
• Consolidate shipments only when it is lawful and financially worthwhile.
• Buy products with a lower lawful duty rate when the classification genuinely differs.
• Avoid restricted products that can create permits, delays, storage fees, or seizure risks.

Underdeclaring an order, calling a purchase a gift, or changing the product description isn't a legitimate cost-saving strategy. It can create delays, extra charges, or enforcement problems.

Frequently asked questions

Are customs fees included in international shipping?

Not necessarily. Shipping usually covers transportation. Duties, taxes, brokerage, and advancement charges may be separate unless the seller specifically says they are included.

Does an order under $800 enter the United States duty-free?

Don't assume so in 2026. CBP's current e-commerce guidance says the suspension applies to merchandise valued at $800 or less arriving by all modes unless a separate authority provides an exception. Check the current treatment for the shipment and product.

Why did I pay a customs fee when the product itself had no duty?

The duty rate may be zero while the courier still charges for clearance or advancing money. A state tax or merchant charge may also appear on the same invoice. Request an itemized breakdown.

Can I mark a purchased order as a gift?

No. A new item purchased from a retailer isn't generally a bona fide gift merely because the package is labeled “gift.” Use accurate declarations.

Can I refuse delivery to avoid the charge?

Refusal may cause the package to be returned, but it doesn't guarantee a refund of the item price, duty, or carrier fee. Check the seller's policy and ask the carrier what happens to the charges before refusing.

Can I get customs charges refunded after returning an item?

Possibly, depending on the entry, the reason for return, the documentation, and the applicable customs procedure. Ask before sending the item back and keep proof that it left the United States.

Do these rules apply outside the United States?

No. The destination country controls its own duties, VAT or GST, low-value thresholds, and brokerage rules. Don't apply the U.S. $800 rule or USMCA treatment to a package entering the United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, Australia, or another country.