Import duty savings calculator
High tariffs mean duty-reduction programs are worth real money — but most small importers never use them. Answer a few questions to see which strategies you likely qualify for and roughly how much you could recover or avoid each year.
Frequently asked questions
What is duty drawback?
Duty drawback (19 U.S.C. §1313) refunds up to 99% of the duties, taxes and fees you paid on imported goods that are later exported or destroyed — including goods used to make exported products. Section 301 (China) duties are drawback-eligible; Section 232 metal tariffs generally are not. Claims can reach back 5 years.
What is the First Sale rule?
When you buy through a middleman (factory → trading company → you), First Sale valuation lets you declare the lower factory-to-middleman price as the dutiable value instead of the price you paid — cutting duty in proportion to the middleman's markup. It requires documented, arm's-length multi-tier sales.
What is a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ)?
An FTZ is treated as outside U.S. customs territory: you defer duty until goods leave for U.S. commerce, pay no duty on goods re-exported from the zone, and can consolidate many entries into one weekly entry (cutting Merchandise Processing Fees). Most small importers use a 3PL's public FTZ rather than operating their own.
Are these estimates exact?
No — they are rough planning estimates to show which strategies are worth exploring. Actual savings depend on your specific products, contracts and documentation. Drawback and FTZ re-export benefits can overlap. Confirm with a licensed customs broker or trade attorney.
Rough planning estimates only — actual savings depend on your products, contracts and documentation, and the strategies can overlap (e.g. drawback vs. FTZ re-export). Drawback excludes Section 232 duties; First Sale and FTZ have strict documentation and eligibility rules. This is not legal or customs advice — confirm with a licensed customs broker or trade attorney. Sources: CBP drawback, First Sale, FTZ (ITA).