United States

The United States of America (US) is the world’s largest economy (by nominal GDP) and the leading global hub for technology, finance, and innovation. It has a population of about 335 million people, with an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) comparative price level of around 100, making it the baseline for international comparisons. The US represents one of the most dynamic and competitive ecommerce markets worldwide, with high consumer spending power and a vast logistics network.

Key info

Country code (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2): US
Country code top-level domain (ccTLD): .us
Currency (ISO4217): US Dollar USD
World Trade Organization (WTO) Status: Member

Duty information

The US applies tariffs under its Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS), administered by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Most Favored Nation (MFN) ad valorem duty rates typically range from 0% to 37.5%, depending on the product (with higher tariffs on apparel, footwear, textiles, and some agricultural goods).
Many raw materials, IT products, and industrial inputs enter duty-free.
Duty is calculated on the FOB value of the goods.

Sales tax

The US does not have a federal sales tax or VAT. Instead, state and local governments impose sales tax:

Rates vary by state and locality, typically 4% to 10%.
Some states (e.g. Delaware, Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Alaska) impose no state sales tax.
Ecommerce merchants must collect sales tax in states where they have “economic nexus” (defined by thresholds of sales or transactions).

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Dutify does not calculate US sales tax as it is not collected at the time of import.

Additional taxes & charges

Excise duties apply on alcohol, tobacco, firearms, fuels, and certain luxury goods.
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) is charged on both commercial and private imports to offset the cost of processing imported goods
Anti-dumping duties (ADD) and countervailing duties (CVD) apply to certain imports (e.g. steel, solar panels, aluminum from specific countries).
A number of additional tariffs have been introduced through 2025 including:
- International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% depending on the Country of Origin (CO)
- Section 232 tariffs ranging from 25% to 50% on certain automobile parts, steel, aluminum and copper imports.

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Dutify calculates all additional taxes and charges.

De minimis thresholds

The US previously had a duty de minimis threshold of USD $800 per shipment, one of the highest in the world. However, since 29 August 2025 the de minimis threshold has been removed. All shipments are now subject to duty and taxes.

Prohibited & restricted goods

The US enforces strict import controls through CBP and other federal agencies. Prohibited or restricted goods include:

Firearms, ammunition, explosives, and defense-related equipment (without license)
Controlled substances and narcotics
Counterfeit goods, pirated media, and trademark-infringing products
Endangered species and wildlife products (CITES restrictions)
Certain food, plants, and animals (subject to regulations and sanitary/phytosanitary rules)
Asbestos and hazardous materials
Cultural property and antiquities (subject to licensing)
Products from embargoed or sanctioned countries (OFAC restrictions, e.g. Cuba, North Korea, Iran)

An official list of prohibited and restricted imports is available on the US Customs and Border Protection website.