Commercial imports & duty
Duty rates, HS classification, incoterms, and documentation requirements for commercial imports. From de minimis to formal entry.
Import tools & references
Duty calculator
Estimate landed cost including customs duty and VAT by HS chapter and origin.
Incoterms 2020
All 11 trade terms explained. Risk transfer points, cost allocation, and when to use each.
HS code chapters
Harmonized System chapters, common items, and misclassification notes.
HS code finder
Plain-English search across chapter titles and documented items.
De minimis thresholds
Country-by-country duty-free import value thresholds.
Import documentation
Commercial invoices, certificates of origin, packing lists, and permits.
Free trade agreements
USMCA, CPTPP, RCEP, UK-EU TCA and more. Rules of origin, certificate-of-origin paths, preferential duty.
IATA dangerous goods
The 9 DG classes for passenger air travel: carry-on, checked, cargo-only, lithium-battery thresholds.
Sanctions regimes
OFAC SDN, EU restrictive measures, UN SC, UK OFSI. Index of authoritative target lists.
Country customs profiles
VAT rates, customs authorities, and import requirements for 85 countries.
Advanced importing topics
Landed cost
Full formula: FOB + freight + insurance + duty + VAT + fees.
Free trade agreements
FTA overview, preferential rates, qualifying criteria.
Rules of origin
Substantial transformation, RVC, tariff shift rules.
Customs brokers
What they do, when you need one, how to verify.
Anti-dumping duties
Additional tariffs on below-cost imports.
Sanctions screening
OFAC, OFSI, EU restrictive measures overview.
Section 321 (US)
The USD 800 de minimis threshold and Type 86 entries.
Bonded warehouses
Deferring duty payment, free trade zones.
ATA Carnet
Temporary duty-free import for equipment and samples.
Alibaba checklist
Pre-import checklist for ordering from Alibaba.
Drop-shipping taxes
VAT/GST obligations for drop-shippers by country.
E-commerce thresholds
Global de minimis and VAT thresholds for e-commerce.
Popular importing destinations
Top trade lanes
🇺🇸 United States → 🇨🇦 Canada
USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement)
🇺🇸 United States → 🇲🇽 Mexico
USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom → 🇩🇪 Germany
UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)
🇦🇺 Australia → 🇳🇿 New Zealand
ANZCERTA (Closer Economic Relations)
🇯🇵 Japan → 🇦🇺 Australia
JAEPA + CPTPP
🇸🇬 Singapore → 🇦🇺 Australia
SAFTA (Singapore-Australia FTA) + CPTPP
🇨🇳 China → 🇦🇺 Australia
ChAFTA (China-Australia FTA) + RCEP
🇬🇧 United Kingdom → 🇦🇺 Australia
UK-Australia FTA (A-UKFTA)
Importing guides
Importing from Alibaba: the complete process
A step-by-step guide to importing goods from Alibaba — from finding suppliers and negotiating terms to shipping, customs clearance, and paying duty. Covers common pitfalls, Incoterms selection, quality inspection, and how to handle your first commercial import.
Understanding HS codes: how goods are classified globally
An explainer of the Harmonized System — the universal language of international trade. How HS codes work, how to find the right code for your product, and why correct classification matters for duty rates and compliance.
Incoterms 2020 explained: which term to use and when
A practical guide to all 11 Incoterms 2020 rules — what each one means, when to use it, and common mistakes to avoid. Includes decision flowchart and comparison table.