The core document set
A commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin where relevant, and the importer’s registration details are the baseline. Product-specific certificates sit on top.
The invoice should describe the goods accurately enough to classify them: material, function, model, quantity, unit value, Incoterm and named place. “Samples” or “parts” with no description is a delay waiting to happen.
What triggers an exam
Random selection, risk scoring, a discrepancy between documents, a new importer, a high-risk product category, or a restricted origin can trigger inspection. The exam itself may be free; the storage, movement and broker time are not.
The estimate assumes a routine entry. If your product needs FDA, FCC, SABER, SASO, CE, UKCA, SONCAP or ANVISA review, add compliance cost and time outside the model.
Destination charges after the port
Terminal handling, release, drayage, documentation, bond, ISF, merchant fees and inland trucking all sit after the duty line. They vary by port, carrier, container size and distance.
Our local charge ranges assume a nearby metropolitan warehouse and a routine release. A remote delivery, liftgate, appointment window or dedicated equipment can move the number materially.
How to make an estimate actionable
Attach the report to the request for quote. A forwarder can replace the freight and local lines with real numbers; a broker can confirm the HS line and measures. The structure of the report makes those replacements visible.
If the revised number is far from the estimate, ask which assumption changed. That is usually more useful than arguing about the total.
| Cost | Who charges | Usually negotiable? | Common surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs broker fee | Broker | Yes, by volume | Per-entry vs per-line pricing |
| Terminal handling | Terminal / carrier | Limited | Release delays and storage |
| Drayage / inland | Trucker | Yes | Remote warehouse or appointment |
| Exam / inspection | Agency / terminal | No | Storage while waiting |
| Bond / ISF | Surety / broker | Partly | New importer pricing |
| Documentation | Broker / agent | Yes | Amendments after filing |
The calculator does not know your port, carrier, appointment window or exam status. Treat the local lines as placeholders that a forwarder should replace.
Common questions
Can I clear my own shipment?
In some markets, a registered importer can file directly. In practice, most first-time importers use a broker for classification, valuation and release.
Why is my local charge higher than the estimate?
The range assumes a routine entry and a nearby warehouse. Exams, storage, remote delivery or special equipment can exceed it.
Does a broker guarantee the duty rate?
No. A broker can provide a classification view and file the entry, but the legal determination and the accuracy of the declared information remain the importer’s responsibility.
Put your own shipment through the model.
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