Dutiable Blog
Customs & Trade Guides
Plain-English explanations of HS codes, import duties, de minimis rules, and customs compliance — written for e-commerce sellers, not lawyers.
Duty drawback companies and services: who files claims, and how to choose (2026)
A neutral, editorial directory of the firms that file US duty drawback claims — drawback-only specialists, full-service brokers, and advisory practices — plus a decision checklist covering claim size, drawback type, and fee models.
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How to maximize duty drawback refunds
The practical levers that decide how large a US duty drawback refund is: choosing the right drawback type, substitution matching at the 8-digit level, the five-year lookback, accelerated payment, Section 301 inclusion, and records that survive a CBP audit.
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How to file a duty drawback claim
A step-by-step guide to filing a US duty drawback claim: checking eligibility, assembling entry summaries and proof of export, filing CBP Form 7551 in ACE, posting a drawback bond for accelerated payment, and what happens between filing and liquidation.
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Shopify HS Codes: How to Classify Your Products for International Shipping
Shopify requires HS codes for international orders. Here's exactly how to find the right code for every product in your store — and what happens if you get it wrong.
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WooCommerce HS Codes: How to Add Customs Codes to Your Products
WooCommerce doesn't have a built-in HS code field — but customs authorities still require one for international shipments. Here's the fastest way to find and add HS codes to every product in your WooCommerce store.
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USMCA vs MFN: When (and Why) to Qualify for the Preferential Rate in 2026
USMCA qualification is the difference between 0% and a Section 232 and Section 301 tariff stack on goods from Mexico and Canada. Here's the qualification cost-benefit, the 9 mandatory data elements, and the 2026 enforcement environment.
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Section 232 Auto Parts (2026): What's a 'Covered Auto Part' and What Isn't
The Section 232 auto-parts list defines which imported parts attract a 25% national-security tariff on top of MFN duty. Here's the current 2026 scope, what the Commerce list actually says, and the borderline cases customs brokers see most often.
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How US Import Duty Stacks in October 2026: MFN, Section 301, 232 and What Replaced IEEPA
IEEPA tariffs are gone, the Section 122 surcharge has expired and a new forced-labour Section 301 tariff applies to most countries. Here is the US duty stack as it stands in October 2026, layer by layer, with worked examples.
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EU Customs Reform: the €3 Duty Now, the End of the €150 De Minimis in 2028
The EU customs reform was adopted on 16 September 2026. Low-value parcels already pay a €3 duty per item; from 1 July 2028 normal duty applies from the first euro through the EU Customs Data Hub. Dates and what sellers should do.
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EU Smartphone Import Duty: Why It's 0% (HS 8517.13 / 8517.12)
Smartphones imported into the EU pay zero customs duty regardless of origin — even from China. Here's why, what the exact HS code is in 2026, and what you still owe (VAT).
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The 50 most expensive product categories to import into the US
Trade-weighted average duty is 3.4%. Some categories pay over 60% before Section 301. We rank the highest-duty HTS lines — apparel, footwear, sugar, tobacco — and what each means for sourcing.
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CBAM real-cost report: what the EU carbon border tariff actually costs
CBAM entered its definitive phase in January 2026. Sector-by-sector cost analysis for steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity, and hydrogen — with the year-by-year phase-in math.
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Import Duties Explained: What They Are, How They Work, and How to Reduce Them
What are import duties? How are they different from tariffs? A complete guide to how import duties are calculated, who pays them, and 6 legal strategies to reduce them.
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Incoterms 2020 decision guide: DDP vs DAP vs FOB vs EXW
The 11 Incoterms 2020 rules, with a focus on the four that matter most for e-commerce. A decision framework for choosing the right term, plus the four most expensive mistakes to avoid.
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How to file a CN22 customs declaration: every field, with examples
CN22 vs CN23, the four fields that get packages held, the EU IOSS and UK VAT rules, and the shift to electronic advance data. A complete walkthrough for postal-service shippers.
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Incoterms 2020: The Complete Guide for E-Commerce and International Trade
A definitive, plain-English explanation of all 11 Incoterms 2020 rules — who pays what, who's responsible when, and which term to use for your shipments.
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Section 301 Tariffs: What China Tariffs Mean for E-Commerce Sellers in 2026
A complete guide to US Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods — which products are affected, current rates, how to check your HS code, and legal strategies to manage your exposure.
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EU VAT for E-Commerce Sellers: IOSS, OSS, and the 2021 Rules Explained
Everything e-commerce sellers need to know about EU VAT after the 2021 reform — the €150 threshold, IOSS registration, One Stop Shop, and what happens if you get it wrong.
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EORI Number: The Complete Guide for EU and UK Importers and Exporters
What an EORI number is, who needs one, how to get it in every EU country and the UK, and what happens if you try to import or export without one.
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How to Import into Amazon FBA: HS Codes, Customs Duties, and ISF Filing Explained
A complete guide to US customs requirements for Amazon FBA sellers — HTS codes, ISF filing, commercial invoices, customs bonds, and how to avoid holds that delay your inventory.
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Country of Origin Rules: How to Determine (and Prove) Where Your Product Was Made
Country of origin determines which tariffs apply, whether free trade agreements cover your goods, and how to legally optimise your supply chain. Here's how origin is determined — and how to prove it.
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The 6 General Rules of Interpretation Explained Simply
The General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) are the legal framework customs authorities use to classify any product. Here's what each rule means in plain English.
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What Happens If You Use the Wrong HS Code?
Using the wrong HS code on a customs declaration isn't just a paperwork issue. Here are the real consequences — and how to fix a misclassification.
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De Minimis Thresholds in 2026: Where Low-Value Parcels Still Enter Duty-Free
The US $800 exemption is suspended, the EU charges €3 per item on parcels under €150 and the UK, Canada and Australia keep their thresholds. Country-by-country rules for e-commerce sellers, checked October 2026.
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HS Code vs HTS Code: What's the Difference?
HS codes and HTS codes are often confused. Here's the exact difference — and why it matters when filing US customs entries.
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