Guide Updated: October 2, 2026

Why Was I Charged Customs Fees? Read the Bill Line by Line

A customs bill can contain duty, government entry fees and private services. Check each line against the actual shipment facts.

Collect the entry facts

Get the goods invoice, actual international-freight evidence, manufacturing origin, HTS code, entry date and entry procedure. The dispatch country and seller address cannot establish manufacturing origin.

Read the duty line

Start with the product's MFN rate and check its actual origin duties and exclusions. EU non-exempt MFN plus forced-labor duty reaches 10%; Japan and Korea reach 12.5%, retaining a higher MFN. China Section 301 treatment is product-specific; IEEPA duties ended February 24, 2026. Do not apply one blanket extra rate to every product.

Read the fee lines

Ordinary mail is generally MPF-exempt. Non-EMS dutiable mail documented by CBP can have a mail fee. EMS and express facilities have operator fees with separate rules. Private brokerage, disbursement and formal broker/bond charges need the service contract or quote.

Compare amounts without an overcharge verdict

The calculator's charge-check mode compares a bill with the same complete estimate used by forward budgeting. A difference alone does not prove overcharging: the actual classification, value, entry procedure or carrier service may differ. Missing quotes leave the comparison incomplete.

Check an itemized bill

Sources and estimate scope

Rules verified 2026-10-02. The calculator supports tariff entry dates 2026-07-24 through 2026-10-02; other dates require a fresh rule check. Product selections are representative, and no FTA preference or special-entry treatment is assumed.

Calculate your landed cost

Duty, MPF, and carrier fees — broken down before you buy.

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