Free tool
Import duty & tax calculator
Duty and import tax are the part of a shipment's landed cost most importers get wrong. Pick what you're shipping, where it's headed and its value — get an instant estimate of customs duty, import tax and whether you fall under a de-minimis threshold. Then let Rumbo confirm the exact figure and move the freight.
Estimated duty
US$325.00
at 6.5%
Estimated GST/HST
US$266.25
at 5.0%
Duty + tax total
US$591.25
11.8% of goods value
On US$5,000 of consumer goods & e-commerce into Canada, expect roughly US$591.25 in duty and import tax on top of freight — a landed add-on of about 11.8%.
Under CUSMA, courier shipments from the US/Mexico are duty-free up to ~CAD 150 and tax-free up to ~CAD 40. Goods from other origins (e.g. China) are dutiable from the first dollar. GST is federal 5%; provincial sales tax (e.g. QST 9.975%) applies on top depending on the province.
Estimate only. The binding rate depends on the exact HS classification, country of origin and any trade agreement — Rumbo classifies your goods and confirms the landed cost before you book.
How import duty and tax work
Every product crossing a border is classified under an HS code— a six-to-ten digit number that determines its duty rate in the destination country's tariff schedule. Duty is charged as a percentage of the declared customs value. On top of that, most countries levy an import tax — VAT in Europe, GST/HST in Canada, IVA in Latin America — calculated on the value plus the duty.
Two things can wipe the bill out: a de-minimis threshold (a value below which the country waives duty, and sometimes tax), and a free-trade agreementsuch as CUSMA or the US–Colombia FTA that drops the rate to zero for qualifying origins. That's why the same laptop can be duty-free from the US but dutiable from China.
De-minimis thresholds by country
| Destination | Duty-free under | Tax-free under | Import tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | ~$110 | ~$30 | GST/HST 5.0% |
| United States | ~$800 | ~$800 | None (federal) |
| Europe (EU) | ~$165 | From $0 | VAT 21.0% |
| Mexico | ~$50 | ~$50 | IVA 16.0% |
| Colombia | ~$200 | ~$200 | IVA 19.0% |
Values in USD, approximate. Courier and postal thresholds differ from formal commercial entries; Rumbo applies the correct regime per shipment.
Typical duty by product category
| Category | HS hint | Typical duty |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics & components | HS 85 — phones, boards, cables, batteries | 2.0% |
| Consumer goods & e-commerce | HS 39/95/70 — household, toys, plastics, giftware | 6.0% |
| Textiles, apparel & footwear | HS 61/62/64 — clothing, fabric, shoes | 16.0% |
| Machinery & industrial equipment | HS 84 — pumps, tools, BBQ smokers, engines | 2.0% |
| Food, coffee & agri products | HS 09/21 — coffee, spices, packaged food | 3.0% |
| Jewelry & gemstones | HS 71 — emeralds, precious stones, jewelry | 5.0% |
| Raw materials & metals | HS 72/76/25 — steel, aluminium, minerals | 1.0% |
| Other cargo | Mixed or unclassified — Rumbo classifies for you | 5.0% |
Base rates shown; the calculator adjusts by destination. Emeralds into Colombia or BBQ smokers into Canada, Rumbo classifies it and confirms the landed cost.
Import duty FAQ
How is import duty calculated?
Import duty is a percentage of the declared customs value of your goods, set by the destination country's tariff schedule for the product's HS code. The rate depends on what the goods are, where they were made, and any trade agreement between the origin and destination. On top of duty, most countries also charge an import tax (VAT, GST or IVA) on the value plus duty.
What is a de-minimis threshold?
A de-minimis threshold is the shipment value below which a country waives duty (and sometimes tax). For example, the US clears most shipments up to USD 800 duty-free under Section 321, while Canada allows roughly CAD 150 duty-free on courier shipments from the US and Mexico under CUSMA. Above the threshold, normal duty and tax apply.
Do I pay duty when importing from China to Canada?
Usually yes. China is not covered by a Canadian free-trade agreement, so goods from China are dutiable from the first dollar based on their HS code, plus 5% GST (and provincial tax such as QST). Our calculator gives a category-level estimate; Rumbo confirms the exact HS classification and landed cost before you book.
Is import VAT charged on low-value parcels into the EU?
Yes. Since July 2021 the EU removed the €22 VAT exemption, so import VAT applies from the first euro on all commercial consignments. Customs duty is still relieved on shipments up to €150 in value.
Is this calculator exact?
It gives a solid category-level estimate using published MFN tariff levels and common courier de-minimis rules. The binding rate depends on the precise HS code, country of origin and trade agreement — which is exactly what Rumbo's customs team confirms as part of your quote.
Duty is only part of your landed cost
Add freight, customs brokerage and insurance and you have the real number. Rumbo's instant quote itemizes every line — freight, duties, taxes, insurance and our margin — in plain sight.