As of November 4, 2026, import duties from China to the USA come in three layers for most goods: the normal (MFN) duty, the original Section 301 China tariff of 7.5% or 25%, and a new 12.5% Section 301 tariff that started on July 24, 2026. For a typical product on Section 301 Lists 1–3, that adds up to around 37.5% plus the base duty. Below, we explain each layer, show how they stack with a worked example, and list the dates to watch for the rest of 2026.
Key points (November 2026)
• The IEEPA “fentanyl” and “reciprocal” tariffs were struck down by the US Supreme Court on February 20, 2026, and are no longer collected.
• The 10% Section 122 surcharge that replaced them expired on July 24, 2026.
• Since July 24, 2026, a 12.5% Section 301 tariff applies to most Chinese goods, on top of the existing China tariffs.
• There is no duty-free de minimis for Chinese goods. Every shipment, even a small one, needs a customs entry.
• A planned extra 7.5% “overcapacity” tariff has been delayed after the September 2026 Washington summit.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
US tariffs on Chinese goods changed several times in 18 months. Many quotes and online guides still show old rates, so check the date of any figure you rely on.
| Date | Change | Effect on Chinese goods |
|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2025 | De minimis ended for China and Hong Kong | Parcels under $800 lost duty-free entry |
| Aug 29, 2025 | De minimis suspended for all countries | No route around duties by shipping small parcels from a third country |
| Feb 20, 2026 | Supreme Court rules IEEPA does not allow tariffs | “Fentanyl” and “reciprocal” tariffs stop; refunds become possible |
| Feb 24 – Jul 24, 2026 | 10% Section 122 surcharge on most imports | Temporary replacement tariff; expired after 150 days |
| Jul 24, 2026 | New Section 301 tariff (forced-labor action) | +12.5% on most Chinese goods, stacked on existing China tariffs |
| Sep 24–26, 2026 | Trump–Xi summit in Washington | Planned 7.5% overcapacity tariff delayed; tariff cuts agreed on about $30 billion of goods |
| Sep 28, 2026 | US and China publish product lists for the tariff cuts | 77 US categories, such as toys, Christmas ornaments and tableware; no rates or start date announced yet |
| Oct 2026 | USTR confirms the original Section 301 tariffs continue | No change to the 7.5% and 25% rates; a four-year review will follow |
| Nov 9, 2026 | 178 Section 301 product exclusions due to expire | Products that rely on an exclusion return to the 7.5% or 25% list rate unless USTR extends them |
Import duties from China to the USA: the tariff layers today
US duty on a Chinese product is not one number. It is a stack of separate tariffs, and each one depends on the product’s HTS code (the 10-digit US tariff classification).
| Layer | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| MFN (normal) duty | 0% to over 30%, by HTS code | Goods from every country |
| Section 301 China tariff (since 2018–2019) | 25% for Lists 1–3, 7.5% for List 4A | Chinese goods on those lists |
| Section 301 increases (since 2024) | 25% to 100% on selected products | For example EVs, lithium batteries, solar cells, semiconductors, some steel and medical products |
| Section 301 forced-labor tariff (since Jul 24, 2026) | 12.5% | Most Chinese and Hong Kong goods, unless exempt |
| Section 232 tariffs | 10% to 50%, by product | Steel, aluminum, copper, autos and parts, trucks, lumber and some furniture, semiconductors and other covered sectors |
| Customs fees | MPF 0.3464% (with a minimum and maximum per entry); HMF 0.125% for ocean cargo | Formal entries |
Two exceptions matter. Goods covered by a Section 232 tariff do not pay the new 12.5% tariff (they still pay the older China list tariff). And products on the general exemption list in the US tariff schedule, which includes many computers, smartphones and chips, skip the 12.5% tariff but not the older China list tariff.
How the layers add up
The table below assumes a product with 0% MFN duty and no Section 232 tariff. If your product has an MFN duty, add it on top.
| Your product | China 301 list | New 301 (12.5%) | Total tariff |
|---|---|---|---|
| On Section 301 Lists 1–3 | 25% | 12.5% | 37.5% |
| On Section 301 List 4A | 7.5% | 12.5% | 20% |
| Not on any China list | 0% | 12.5% | 12.5% |
| On List 4A and on the general exemption list | 7.5% | 0% | 7.5% |
Worked example: duty on a $20,000 shipment
Here is how the numbers work on one ocean shipment. The products and rates are an illustration, not a quote. Your own rate depends on your HTS code.
US duty is charged on the customs value of the goods, which is normally the price you pay the supplier (FOB). International freight and insurance are not included in the duty base.
| Cost line | Product A: List 3, MFN 3.4% | Product B: List 4A, MFN 0% |
|---|---|---|
| Customs value (FOB) | $20,000.00 | $20,000.00 |
| MFN duty | $680.00 (3.4%) | $0.00 |
| Section 301 China list | $5,000.00 (25%) | $1,500.00 (7.5%) |
| Section 301 forced-labor tariff | $2,500.00 (12.5%) | $2,500.00 (12.5%) |
| Merchandise Processing Fee | $69.28 (0.3464%) | $69.28 (0.3464%) |
| Harbor Maintenance Fee | $25.00 (0.125%) | $25.00 (0.125%) |
| Total duties and fees | $8,274.28 (41.4%) | $4,094.28 (20.5%) |
The same $20,000 of goods can cost twice as much in duty depending on the HTS code. That is why classification is the first thing to check before you order, not after the goods arrive.
Duties are only part of your landed cost. You also pay freight, customs broker fees, ISF filing for ocean cargo, port and terminal charges, and delivery to your door. Our guide to importing from China to the USA explains ISF filing, customs bonds and each step. Our DDP shipping quotes include all of these in one price.
How to check the rate for your product
- Find your 10-digit HTS code. Ask your supplier for the HS code they use for export, then confirm the US code with your customs broker. The first 6 digits are international; the last 4 are US-specific. See how to find the HS code for your product.
- Look up the MFN duty for that code in the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (hts.usitc.gov).
- Check whether the code is on a Section 301 China list (Lists 1, 2, 3 or 4A) and whether it has a 2024 increase. Your broker can check this in seconds.
- Check for Section 232 and exemptions. If a Section 232 tariff applies, the 12.5% tariff does not. If the code is on the general exemption list, the 12.5% tariff does not apply either.
Send us your product description and HS code, and we will tell you which layers apply before you book. Ask for a duty estimate.
No more de minimis: what it means for small shipments
Until 2025, many parcels worth under $800 entered the US duty-free. That route is closed. Chinese goods lost de minimis treatment on May 2, 2025, and the US suspended it for all countries on August 29, 2025. Shipping through a third country does not help, because duty is based on where the goods were made, not where they were shipped from.
In practice, every commercial shipment from China now needs a customs entry and pays the full tariff stack. For small orders, the most cost-effective option is often to consolidate several suppliers into one shipment, so you pay one set of entry and broker fees instead of many. See how we consolidate goods from multiple suppliers.
Paid IEEPA tariffs before February 2026? You may get a refund
The Supreme Court ruled on February 20, 2026 that the IEEPA tariffs (the 2025 “fentanyl” tariff and the “reciprocal” tariff) were unlawful. US Customs stopped collecting them for goods entered on or after February 24, 2026, and has started processing refunds.
If you imported Chinese goods in 2025 or early 2026 and paid these tariffs, ask your customs broker to check your entries and the refund process. Keep your entry records, commercial invoices and payment proof. Refund rules and deadlines are set by US Customs and the courts, so act early.
What to watch for the rest of 2026
- The delayed overcapacity tariff. A further 7.5% Section 301 tariff on Chinese goods was prepared in August 2026 and delayed after the September summit. If it is published, it would stack on the current rates.
- Section 301 product exclusions. 178 existing exclusions expire at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on November 9, 2026. As of November 4, USTR had not published an extension. If your product relies on one, check with your customs broker before your goods arrive.
- The $30 billion tariff cuts. After the September 2026 summit, the two governments published lists of about $30 billion of goods each way, reportedly including small appliances, toys, holiday decorations and children’s car seats. They are recommendations only: no tariff layer, rate or start date has been published. Until they are, the current rates apply.
- Your entry date decides your rate. Duty is based on the rules in force when the goods are entered into the US, not when you paid your supplier. For goods on the water during a change, the new rate can apply unless a transit exception is announced.
How DDP shipping handles tariffs
With DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), we clear customs in the US and pay the duties for you, and you receive the goods at your door. To give an accurate DDP price, we need your product description, HTS code, quantity and invoice value. The duty in your quote is calculated from those details at the rates in force when we quote.
Two things we do on every US shipment:
- We check the HTS code and tariff layers before booking, so the duty in your quote is based on your actual product.
- We declare the real invoice value. Under-declaring to save duty can lead to seized goods, penalties and a blocked importer record, and it puts future shipments at risk.
Planning a shipment to the US? Read our guide to shipping from China to the USA, or send us your product details for a DDP quote that includes the current duty.
Higher duties can also make your customs bond too small. See our guide to customs bonds to check whether yours needs to go up.
Frequently asked questions
What import fees do I pay on top of the duty?
Besides the duty itself, a formal US entry usually pays the Merchandise Processing Fee, sea shipments also pay the Harbor Maintenance Fee, and your customs broker charges for filing the entry. Under DDP these are included in the quoted price; ask for them to be listed line by line.
What is the total US tariff on Chinese goods in November 2026?
It depends on the HTS code. For most products it is the MFN duty plus 7.5% or 25% (Section 301 China lists) plus 12.5% (Section 301 forced-labor tariff). Common totals are 20% for List 4A goods and 37.5% for Lists 1–3 goods, before MFN duty and fees.
Are the 2025 “reciprocal” and “fentanyl” tariffs still in place?
No. The Supreme Court struck them down on February 20, 2026, and US Customs stopped collecting them from February 24, 2026. Importers who paid them may be eligible for refunds.
Is there still a 10% global tariff?
No. The 10% Section 122 surcharge ran from February 24 to July 24, 2026, and then expired. It was replaced by the Section 301 forced-labor tariff, which is 12.5% for China.
Can I avoid US tariffs by shipping through Vietnam or another country?
No. Duty is based on the country where the goods were made. Re-routing or re-labeling Chinese goods to change their declared origin is customs fraud and carries heavy penalties.
Who pays the tariff, the seller or the buyer?
The US importer of record pays the duty. Under DDP terms, the shipper or forwarder acts for you and includes the duty in the delivered price. Under EXW, FOB or DAP, you or your US broker pay it on arrival.
Rates and dates in this guide were checked on November 4, 2026, using public reports on US Customs (CBP), USTR and Federal Register actions. US tariffs change often. This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. Confirm the rate for your product with a licensed US customs broker before you ship.
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