Tariffs have changed repeatedly over the past two years. We explain how to find the applicable rate and why a DDP price must never be calculated by gut feeling.
Recent years have been turbulent in US trade policy. Rates vary greatly by product group and can change quickly. That is precisely why a price quote must not be made on old knowledge: a tariff rate from two years ago may be completely different today.
The good news is that the applicable rate is always publicly verifiable. Every product's tariff depends on its HS code, and determining the correct code is the first step in export pricing. The wrong code means either overpaid duty or problems at the border.
The US buyer usually compares offers on a DDP basis, that is the price including transport and duties to their warehouse. If your offer states only the ex-works price, the buyer does the calculation themselves, often to your disadvantage. A competitive offer includes well-thought-out logistics and precisely calculated customs cost.
In our launch package we do this calculation for you: HS codes, applicable rates, transport costs and the final price at the destination. That way you go into negotiations with numbers you can defend.
Before your first offer, check three things: your product's exact HS code, the US customs rate that applies to it, and whether any special procedures apply to your product group. Half an hour of checking saves months of disputes later.
If you want someone to do it for you, write to us. This is exactly the work we do every day.
The first consultation is free: together we'll see who in the US already buys your product and how to reach them.