Navigate Shipping to the US with ease
Important note
Effective August 29, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, the duty-free de minimis exemption treatment for commercial shipments to the U.S. with a value at or below US$800, and that would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption will be removed, regardless of the country of origin of the products.
Thinking of shipping to the USA?
Navigating the evolving landscape of U.S. import tariffs can be challenging, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. If you are looking to ship goods into the US, it's important to understand the nuances of US import tax, duties, and compliance requirements.
That’s why we are here to support you. Our experienced team of experts in clearance and compliance are working around the clock to continue enabling the movement of shipments across borders of the more than 220 countries and territories we serve.
Navigating U.S. tariffs with confidence
Since early March 2025 when the U.S. introduced additional tariffs, duty amounts paid when shipping goods have been changing rapidly. Further measures have since been introduced, extended to more origins along with specific goods and retaliatory tariffs from other countries.
FedEx has successfully navigated international trade shifts for decades. We have the network, the expertise and the proven solutions to guide you through what these changes mean for your business and keep your shipments moving smoothly across borders without interruption.
What it means for your business
Generally, tariffs (the rate of duty) are applied as a percentage of the value of goods payable to the import country authority as the goods enter. The effective tariff varies depending on the origin of the goods, what the goods are, and if there is a trade agreement between the countries. Three key impacts you should prepare for:
Higher duty costs
Additional clearance requirements
Customer expectations
Recent changes may mean higher duties on goods imported depending on the type of goods and the country of origin. FedEx Global Trade Manager can help you calculate these costs in advance.
Declaration requirements may now apply to your shipments. It may be necessary to declare your goods to the authorities in a different process that previously used. Our Electronic Trade Documents (ETD) system streamlines this process for you.
Declaration requirements may now apply to your shipments. It may be necessary to declare your goods to the authorities in a different process that previously used. Our Electronic Trade Documents (ETD) system streamlines this process for you.
Be clear with your customers about who is paying duty, tax, and fees (Incoterms) and include it on your commercial invoice to avoid delays.
Be clear with your customers about who is paying duty, tax, and fees (Incoterms) and include it on your commercial invoice to avoid delays.
Higher duty costs
Recent changes may mean higher duties on goods imported depending on the type of goods and the country of origin. FedEx Global Trade Manager can help you calculate these costs in advance.
Additional clearance requirements
Declaration requirements may now apply to your shipments. It may be necessary to declare your goods to the authorities in a different process that previously used. Our Electronic Trade Documents (ETD) system streamlines this process for you.
Declaration requirements may now apply to your shipments. It may be necessary to declare your goods to the authorities in a different process that previously used. Our Electronic Trade Documents (ETD) system streamlines this process for you.
Customer expectations
Be clear with your customers about who is paying duty, tax, and fees (Incoterms) and include it on your commercial invoice to avoid delays.
Be clear with your customers about who is paying duty, tax, and fees (Incoterms) and include it on your commercial invoice to avoid delays.
FedEx Support Teams may reach out to you or your customer when clarification is needed, helping prevent costly delays.
Keep up with key regulatory changes
IEEPA tariff ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled IEEPA tariffs are unlawful. Duties imposed under IEEPA are no longer collected. If you paid IEEPA tariffs, you may be eligible for a refund.
U.S. CPSC eFiling requirement
If you import regulated products, you must electronically file data elements at the time of entry. The requirement affects more than 2,400 U.S. Harmonized Tariff Codes.
What we offer here
Changes that you need to know
Get up-to-date information on the latest service news. As tariffs and other regulatory requirements change, we’ll keep you up to speed on how it may affect your shipping. Check our service news page to see the latest updates.
Please note that the shipper shall always be responsible for providing accurate information/documentation pertaining to their shipment and compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, but not limited to applicable laws and government regulations of the destination country related to the transportation of a shipment by FedEx. Mere acceptance of a shipment by FedEx does not mean that such shipment conforms to applicable laws and regulations or to the FedEx Conditions of Carriage available at https://www.fedex.com/en-bi/conditions-of-carriage.html . FedEx assumes no liability to shipper or any other person for any loss or expense — including, but not limited to, fines and penalties — if the shipper fails to comply with any laws, rules or regulations, or caused by actions undertaken by FedEx to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Essential Tips for Customs Clearance
To facilitate smooth processing of your shipments, review the following checkpoints for import clearance into the U.S. FedEx provides a range of online resources and tools to assist you at each stage of the process.
Prepare your U.S. bound shipment for customs clearance
Incomplete information and missing paperwork can hold up your shipment at customs. Here’s what US customs and border protection (CBP), Partner Government Agency (PGA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) look for, and how you can stay ahead of it:
Commodity description
A clear and precise commodity description, including what the goods are made of, their intended use, the quantity and the country of origin, is important for seamless and timely clearance.
For example, use “women’s dresses made of 60% cotton 40% polyester” instead of “clothing”.
How to write a clear commodity description
HS code
The HS code (Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System) is a code used by customs worldwide to help categorize imported and exported goods. For shipment declared in the U.S., a 10-digit HS code is required.
HS codes for textile and apparel products importing into the U.S. can be found here.
Manufacturer Identification Code (MID)
MID code is one of the required information for import clearance into the U.S. It’s used as an alternative to the full name and address of a manufacturer, shipper or exporter and is always required for U.S. formal customs entries. MID code must be shown on the commercial invoice for import clearance into the U.S.
The MID code is used on paperwork presented to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the good's recipient.
H.S. codes of the textile and apparel products that need MID code information can be found here.
Learn more about MID code: When you need it and how to generate it?
I have a MID code for my shipments. Where can I insert this information?
Guide to generate a Manufacturer Identification Code
Duties and taxes
Changes to U.S. tariffs may impact the duties and taxes charged on goods shipped across borders. Understanding how to estimate and pay duties and taxes help facilitate smooth customs clearance and prevent unexpected costs to your shipments.
Estimating duties and taxes
Using FedEx Global Trade Manager
Global Trade Manager is a unique tool that allows you to estimate duties and taxes of your shipment by entering information including the shipment origin, destination, name of commodity, HS code, and customs value of the commodities.
Note: The tool estimates duties and taxes based on the current applicable rates, and not future applicable rates.
Access Global Trade Manager now.
Providing Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN)
Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) is an identification number assigned to individuals or businesses that are required to pay taxes in the U.S. The EIN or SSN of the recipient is required for formal customs entry. Missing EIN or SSN information will lead to shipment being caged by the U.S. customs and returned to the shipper. The EIN or SSN of the recipient should be provided in the Tax ID field of FedEx shipping tools.
Disbursement Fee and Duty and Tax Forwarding Fee
To expedite your shipment, FedEx may pay the duties and taxes to customs on your behalf. This service may incur a Disbursement Fee (applies to duty and tax payors) or Duty and Tax Forwarding Fee (applies to duties and taxes invoiced to third-party payors outside the destination country/ territory), depending on the shipment destination.
U.S. CPSC regulated commodities
Effective July 8, 2026, electronic filing (eFiling) will be mandatory for products imported into the United States that are regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Importers of CPSC regulated products will be required to provide all data elements necessary for the customs broker to complete the CPSC Participating Government Agency (PGA) message set in ACE at the time of entry into the U.S.
The full CPSC PGA message set will require importers to provide additional data elements for each product imported. To streamline the process, importers may pre-file information about the product in the CPSC Product Registry, allowing the broker to transmit an abbreviated CPSC message set.
Recent reports indicate that it may take some time for importers to complete the CPSC Product Registry process, so importers are encouraged to begin the registration process as soon as possible to help prevent clearance delays.
Understanding CPSC mandatory eFiling
Providing certificate of compliance data
Using FedEx™ Ship Manager at fedex.com
FedEx™ Ship Manager enables you to submit certificate of compliance data directly within the shipping tool.
When creating a shipment, based on the commodity description and HS code entered, the tool will prompt and guide you to complete the required certificate of compliance information.
Alternatively, you may download the appropriate CPSC Product Form, complete the required details, and upload it through FedEx™ Ship Manager.
Note: This feature is currently in development and will be available soon. A step-by-step guide will be provided for downloading once the feature is released.
Using FedEx API
For shipments processed through the FedEx API, you can update your current Ship API schema and/or integrate with our new Regulatory API to electronically submit the required certificate of compliance information.
With the new releases, shippers can store and provide product-level regulatory compliance data alongside customs declarations to meet CPSC requirements.
If you have not yet integrated to the latest Ship API schema and/or integrated with the new Regulatory API, you will need to download and complete the appropriate CPSC Product Form and attach it to your shipment.
Using other FedEx shipping tools or solutions*
If you are using other FedEx shipping tools or solutions, you will need to download and complete one of the CPSC Product Forms and submit it together with your customs documentation.
One form is required for each regulated product being shipped. If the shipment contains multiple distinct regulated products, a separate form must be completed for each product.
*Other tools or solutions include Manual air waybill, FedEx Web Services, FedEx™ Ship Manager Software, FedEx Ship Manager® Lite, FedEx Ship Manager® Server, FedEx Ship Manager® Software, FedEx EC Suite, and FedEx Mobile App.
For products already registered within the CPSC Product Registry. Read the Instructions for Completion (in English only) for more guidance.
For products not registered within the CPSC Product Registry. Read the Instructions for Completion (in English only) for more guidance.
Check your IEEPA refund status
In February, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tariffs issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unlawful. To help you receive eligible refunds as soon as possible, we created the FedEx IEEPA Tariff Refund Portal. Use it to see if you’re eligible for a refund, view refund details, and more.
IEEPA Tariff Refund Frequently Asked Questions
This Supreme Court’s decision does not negate all tariffs, only those where International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) was invoked – tariffs commonly referred to as “reciprocal tariffs” and “Fentanyl tariffs.” All other duties will continue to be collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) including most favored nation, Section 122, Section 232, and Section 301 tariffs. This means that in some instances, customers / recipients may see a partial refund of duties paid.
Yes. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) did not cease collecting duties imposed under IEEPA until 12:00am EST on February 24, 2026. CBP continues to collect other applicable duties.
As a transportation provider and customs broker, FedEx is required to assess and collect duties and taxes in accordance with current customs regulations and government directives in effect at the time of import. Therefore, FedEx invoicing processes remain in place.
Phase 1 is limited to certain unliquidated entries and certain entries within 80 days of liquidation. Entries for which liquidation is final, entries covered by an open protest, entries that have been flagged for reconciliation, designated on a drawback claim, and entries subject to antidumping and/or countervailing duties for which the Dept. of Commerce has issued liquidation instructions are also among those categories of entries that will not be covered during Phase 1.
FedEx is filing Declarations covering all Phase-1 eligible entries on behalf of customers for whom it served as a customer broker, regardless of who is the importer of record unless a request to delay or opt-out was timely received by FedEx.
No. FedEx will not charge a fee for this service. We are committed to assisting our customers obtain refunds.
Yes. FedEx will issue refunds, including interest received from the U.S. Treasury, for IEEPA tariffs paid to shippers and consumers who originally bore those charges once FedEx begins receiving refunds from CBP.
Importers of Record who are also listed as notify party should ensure that they have an ACE Portal Refund account and that they are set up to receive a refund via ACH from CBP.
You can check the FedEx IEEPA Tariff Refund Portal. Enter shipment details to see if FedEx has received your refund from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If so, you will also see the refund amount, including interest received, as well as the date FedEx received the refund. The amount displayed is an estimate and may change after we complete our accounting review of any outstanding IEEPA-related charges.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provides multiple ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) reports that Importers and Brokers can use to monitor the status of CAPE refund claims, including liquidation and refund activity. This information is available in the Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) notice below:
The CSMS explains which ACE reports are available to Importers and Brokers and how each report can help monitor CAPE-related refunds. Importers of Record are encouraged to review this CSMS and leverage the applicable ACE reports to proactively track and manage their refund activity.
You can find additional information at https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/trade-remedies/ieepa-duty-refunds
As previously announced, when CBP’s CAPE portal opened in April, FedEx began submitting Declarations for Phase 1 shipments where we served as broker. FedEx did so to help our customers maximize the number of eligible submissions prior to CBP’s applicable liquidation deadlines. On May 11, 2026, FedEx began receiving government-issued refunds for entries where it was the Importer of Record (IOR) or where designated by the IOR as the notify party on a customer-submitted CF4811.
We recognize that eligible customers are eager to understand when refunds will be disbursed. FedEx remains fully committed to remitting all applicable duties—along with any accrued interest received from the U.S. Treasury—as quickly as possible to the customers who paid those charges. Please note that FedEx is managing millions of entries with IEEPA duties across hundreds of thousands of accounts. We are diligently working through necessary validation and financial reconciliation processes to ensure accuracy and safeguard against fraud.
To support this effort, FedEx has built a secure portal you can use to track your IEEPA tariff refunds.
Here’s how to use the FedEx IEEPA Tariff Refund Portal.
- Enter shipment details to see whether a refund has been received by FedEx, including the total amount and when the refund was received.
- If prompted, consider consenting to share limited shipment and refund data with trusted vendor partners. This is solely for the purpose of reconciliation and processing refunds. As portal functionality expands, customers who verify their contact information and opt in to data sharing (if prompted to do so) will be placed in the queue for disbursements commencing August 10. Customers who are asked to consent but decline data sharing will still receive refunds, though on a longer timeline based on available internal resources.
- Please note that FedEx has not yet received refunds for all shipments subject to IEEPA tariffs, possibly including entries submitted during Phase 1. During Phase 1, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) limited eligibility to unliquidated entries and those within 80 days of liquidation.
- Phase 1 refunds continue to be sent by the U.S. Treasury to FedEx on a rolling basis. CBP initiated Phase 2 on June 29, 2026, and began accepting entries flagged for reconciliation at the time of import for which the reconciling entry has not yet been filed. CBP targeted July 3, 2026, as the launch date for Phase 3, which covers finally liquidated entries and other complex entries. Eligibility for Phase 3 remains uncertain and is being addressed in the courts. If you are an importer of record, we encourage you to discuss eligibility for Phase 3 refunds with your legal counsel.
FedEx continues to support you with International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duty requirements and upcoming CBP refund phases. CBP expected to begin accepting Phase 2 CAPE filings on June 29. Phase 2 of the refund process covers entries that were flagged for reconciliation at the time of entry. These filings remain subject to CBP processing timelines.
To streamline processing and minimize your administrative burden, FedEx is submitting Phase 2 CAPE filings on behalf of eligible Importers of Record unless you opted out before July 7.
U.S. Tariffs Frequently Asked Questions
A tariff is a tax or customs duty imposed by a government on imported or exported goods. Different tariffs are applied on different products by different countries or territories. The tariff, along with the other assessments, is collected at the time of customs clearance in the foreign port.
In general, the responsibility of who bears the tariff is agreed between a shipper and a recipient. Payment can made by the shipper, the recipient, or a third-party account.
De Minimis is the valuation ceiling that allow for duty or tax-free entry of a shipment. This threshold varies across markets. De minimis allows an importer to bring shipments into the United States without filing formal entry paperwork or paying taxes and duties so long as the total daily value of the importer's entries is below the De minimis value.
The HS Code might have different names depending on where the shipment is going and who is in charge of it. Some of these names include Harmonized Tariff Schedule code (HTS), Harmonized System Nomenclature code (HSN), commodity code, or tariff.
Regardless of the name, the description of your products determines such codes. This code is important because it determines the duty and tax rates that apply to your shipment.
HS code provides an internationally recognized standard for classifying goods in international trade. However, some countries/territories may expand the 6-digit code for further classification. It is important to understand these variations and apply a correct code when importing and exporting goods.
Examples of variations to HS code:
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10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS or HTS)
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6- and 8-digit ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN)
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8-digit Australian Harmonized Export Commodity Classification (AHECC)
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8-digit Hong Kong Harmonized System (HKHS)
Tailored Shipping and Customs Clearance Solutions with Tariff Management
We offer expert guidance, seamless clearance, and a variety of shipping solutions to help you navigate shipping to the U.S. Our dedicated team is here to support you in making your international shipping efficient, compliant, and cost-effective.
Expert Guidance
Our expertise in customs clearance simplifies your import process, ensuring peace of mind with every delivery.
Seamless Clearance
Gather essential information on import customs clearance procedures for smooth border passage of your goods.
Shipping Services
Our range of day-definite services combines competitive speed and attractive pricing to
support your business growth.
How can the U.S. tariff and regulatory changes impact your business and what you need to consider
If US tariffs impact you, you can continue to optimize your operations and maintain competitive edge in the global market by understanding and proactively adapting to the new regulations.
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Supply Chain Disruptions and Increased Supply Chain Complexity
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B2C sellers or exporters may need to adjust orders, product mix, and logistics for U.S. shipments, potentially leading to customs delays, oversupply, or shortages.
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These disruptions may impact product supply chain, resulting in out-of-stock, obsolete products and/or reduced cash flow.
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Different supply chain models may be established to reduce the impacts and that may increase the overall supply chain complexity.
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Trade Compliance Management
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Managing fast and frequent changes in tariffs requires expertise and additional resources to ensure compliance and avoid any customs penalties or delay.
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Elimination of De Minimis Exemption
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Both cross-border eCommerce and B2C are now significantly affected by duty and tax incurred on small volume and low value B2C orders.
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Market Uncertainty
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Potential retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products may increase complexity of global trade, especially for large and multinational sellers or importers.
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Unpredictable nature of tariff policies makes demand forecasting and medium to long-term business planning more difficult.
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Expertise in Trade Compliance
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Expertise to understand the tariff changes and their implications to importers or sellers.
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Comprehensive customs brokerage services to facilitate import clearance.
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Cost Impact Mitigation and One-Stop-Shop Shipping Solutions
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Shipping solutions and other advisories to manage the impact arising from any increased tariffs for customers – from large volume customers to small-to-medium shippers.
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Comprehensive ancillary services options to address unexpected needs for B2C orders from order placement to delivery, such as cross-docking, documentation, packing and delivery options.
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Flexibility and Agility
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Flexibility and prompt actions to adapt to tariff changes and potential supply chain turbulence.
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Global network and resources available to facilitate importers or sellers to manage changes in volume, sourcing locations or mode shift.
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Account Management and Customer Experience
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Focal point of contact to provide professional advice and solution options to help sellers or importers manage cross-border commerce more effectively.
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Shipment monitoring and timely communication with shippers, importers or consumers for smooth customs clearance and minimized delays.
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