Navigate Shipping to the US with ease
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.
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.
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.
FedEx Support Teams may reach out to you or your customer when clarification is needed, helping prevent costly delays.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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:
10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS or HTS)
6- and 8-digit ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN)
8-digit Australian Harmonized Export Commodity Classification (AHECC)
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.
Supply Chain Disruptions and Increased Supply Chain Complexity
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.
These disruptions may impact product supply chain, resulting in out-of-stock, obsolete products and/or reduced cash flow.
Different supply chain models may be established to reduce the impacts and that may increase the overall supply chain complexity.
Trade Compliance Management
Managing fast and frequent changes in tariffs requires expertise and additional resources to ensure compliance and avoid any customs penalties or delay.
Elimination of De Minimis Exemption
Both cross-border eCommerce and B2C are now significantly affected by duty and tax incurred on small volume and low value B2C orders.
Market Uncertainty
Potential retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products may increase complexity of global trade, especially for large and multinational sellers or importers.
Unpredictable nature of tariff policies makes demand forecasting and medium to long-term business planning more difficult.
Expertise in Trade Compliance
Expertise to understand the tariff changes and their implications to importers or sellers.
Comprehensive customs brokerage services to facilitate import clearance.
Cost Impact Mitigation and One-Stop-Shop Shipping Solutions
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.
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.
Flexibility and Agility
Flexibility and prompt actions to adapt to tariff changes and potential supply chain turbulence.
Global network and resources available to facilitate importers or sellers to manage changes in volume, sourcing locations or mode shift.
Account Management and Customer Experience
Focal point of contact to provide professional advice and solution options to help sellers or importers manage cross-border commerce more effectively.
Shipment monitoring and timely communication with shippers, importers or consumers for smooth customs clearance and minimized delays.
