U.S. Customs Duties, Tariffs & Brokerage
If you are an international shopper ordering to the US, understanding your shipping guide to US customs is important. Please use this reference to understand the implications and options at this point of the process.
1) BROKERAGE FEES
- At this time all of our US bound shipments are travelling via UPS who serves as the customs broker for your shipment
- A brokerage fee may be charged by UPS for entering the customs paperwork for you. This fee is seperate from any duties/tariffs listed below on heading 2. Tariffs will be added to brokerage fees for the total customs cost payable.
- When your order clears US customs you should expect a $30-60 fee for a typical order. Occasionaly there will be additional fees for items requiring FDA approval (items that contact food).
2) DUTIES & TARIFFS
Import duties and tariffs are taxes imposed by the US government on goods shipped into the country. The amount is based on the declared value and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code of the item.
| Country of Manufacture | Typical Tariff | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canada & USA | 0% | Often duty-free under USMCA for qualifying goods. |
| Europe & UK | 10-15% | Rate varies by product (e.g., crystal, ceramics, silver, décor). |
| East/South Asia (non-China) | 15-50% | Examples include Japan, Korea, India, Thailand, Vietnam. |
| China | 20-30% | Additional surcharges may apply by category under current U.S. policy. |
Additional tariffs may be payable on the following commodities:
| Commodity Specific Tariff | Tariff Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | 50% | This is charged in addition to any country based tariffs and standard duty rates. This does apply to most flatware and kitchen items. |
| Aluminum | 50% | This is charged in addition to any country based tariffs and standard duty rates. |
3) HOW YOU WILL BE BILLED
- Place your order at atkinsonsofvancouver.com (prices do not include any US import costs)
- Your parcel ships from Canada via UPS on a DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) basis.
- When your shipment reaches US Customs, UPS will contact the recipient to collect any payable duties/tariffs/brokerage.
- Track your package on UPS.com to see payable customs charges and pay online.
- Upon receipt of payment, UPS will release the package for final delivery.
4) EXAMPLES OF TARIFF CALCULATIONS
- Crystal barware made in France product value $500. Estimated customs cost $170 (34%)
- Basic customs duty 3% = $15
- France origin tariff 15% = $75
- FDA fee for food contact items $40
- Customs Brokerage $40
2. Porcelain dinnerware made in UK product value $2000. Estimated customs cost $400 (20%)
- Basic customs duty 6% = $120
- UK origin tariff 10% = $200
- FDA fee for food contact items $40
- Customs Brokerage $40
3. Stainless steel cutlery made in Portugal product value $300. Estimated customs cost $290 (97%)
- Basic customs duty 5% = $15
- Portugal origin tariff 15% = $45
- Steel products tariff 50% = $150
- FDA fee for food contact items $40
- Customs Brokerage $40
*These examples are estimates only to give an idea of what to expect. Tariffs and customs policy is subjec to change without notice.
5) REFUSED DELIVERY POLICY
If fees are not paid and a shipment is refused, UPS will return the parcel to us and bill us for return freight, brokerage, and Canadian re‑entry customs. Any such costs will be deducted from your refund once the goods are received back and inspected. In some cases, the cost of returning a shipment may exceed the value of a shipment and incur additional charges.
Refusing delivery is not cost‑free; please review expected fees before placing your order.
6) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Not at this time. Because rates change quickly and vary by product origin, we currently ship on a DDU basis, with UPS collecting the exact amount due when your shipment clears customs.
- Tariffs are calculated using the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) based on material, use, and country of origin. UPS, acting as broker, applies the duty rate in effect on the day of clearance.
- Tariff policy is negotiated (and sometimes re‑negotiated) country‑by‑country. As a result, goods from Canada/USA are often duty‑free under USMCA, while other origins—especially China—can incur significantly higher rates.
- The country where the product was manufactured (not where it was shipped from). For multi‑component items, origin is determined by where the item underwent its last substantial transformation. Most products on our website will list the country of origin under the "More Information" tab on the product's page.
- See our Ordering & Shipping page for transit times, packing standards, and returns.
- We can provide general guidance only. Final amounts are determined by UPS/CBP at the time of import and can change without notice due to policy updates in Washington. For exact figures, UPS will contact you during customs processing.
- For some shipments US Customs requires this identification number for individuals or businesses. Generally this is only a requirement for higher value orders.