🇺🇸 US Dropshipping & Import Duty Guide 2026

Last updated: 2026-07-23

If you're importing into the US to sell on Amazon, eBay, Shopify, or TikTok Shop, one rule change matters more than anything else right now — and a lot of margin calculators (including ours, until recently) haven't caught up.

1. The $800 de minimis exemption is gone

For years, shipments under $800 could enter the US duty-free. That's no longer true. The US suspended the de minimis exemption for China and Hong Kong in May 2025, extended the suspension to every country on August 29, 2025, and made it a permanent regulation on June 24, 2026. There is no indication it's coming back.

In practice: nearly every shipment into the US now faces duty, regardless of declared value. A $15 item is no longer automatically duty-free just because it's under $800.

What duty rate applies?

This is the hard part — there's no single flat rate anymore. Duty depends on the product's HS code classification and, significantly, its country of origin, since country-specific tariff rates have been revised multiple times through 2025–2026 as part of broader US trade policy. Don't assume a flat percentage; check current rates via the official US Harmonized Tariff Schedule or your customs broker before pricing a new product line.

2. Marketplace fees

Platform	Typical fee
Amazon	~15% referral fee (category-dependent) + FBA fees if applicable
eBay	~13.5% final value fee
Shopify	2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (payment processing)
TikTok Shop	~5% (varies by category and promo period)

Always confirm your actual rate in your seller dashboard — these shift by category and change over time.

3. Choosing a sourcing agent or freight forwarder

Since duty now applies to essentially every shipment, your forwarder's ability to handle customs cleanly matters more than ever. Compare on:

• DDP vs. DDU shipping — Delivered Duty Paid (forwarder handles duty upfront, bakes it into your quote) vs. Delivered Duty Unpaid (you or the customer pays on arrival, risking surprise fees/delays)
• Consolidation — combining multiple orders into one shipment to reduce per-unit freight cost
• Customs brokerage included or separate — some forwarders quote a "landed cost" that already includes duty handling; others don't
• Insurance and claims process — what's covered if a shipment is damaged or lost
• Turnaround time — actual transit time reported by other sellers, not just the marketing page

4. Practical tips

1. Re-price existing listings — if your margin math still assumes duty-free imports, you're likely underpricing right now.
2. Ask forwarders for a DDP quote specifically, so duty is priced in upfront rather than surprising you (or your customer) at delivery.
3. Re-check exchange rates right before ordering using the "Fetch Live Rates" button — rates move daily and compound with the new duty exposure.
4. Before you check out, see if there's a cashback or rewards platform offering a promo code or referral link for the site you're buying from. Going through their link earns you mileage/points redeemable for cash later, on top of whatever else you're saving — worth a quick check before any purchase.

⚠️ This guide is for general information only. Actual duty depends on HS code classification, country of origin, and how customs enforces current rules — always confirm exact figures with a licensed customs broker or official CBP guidance. Tariff policy has been changing frequently; verify you're reading the latest rules before pricing.