Appliances Tariffs 2026: Navigate Duties, Cut Costs, Stay Compliant

The United States customs framework for appliances is primarily based on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), where rates are determined by product classification and country of origin. Most household appliances benefit from relatively low standard duty rates, but total import costs are often significantly increased by supplemental trade enforcement actions and administrative fees. Importers must accurately classify goods to navigate the multi-layered tax structure and ensure regulatory compliance.

Ad Valorem Duties: These are calculated as a percentage of the total customs value of the imported appliances. This is the most common duty type for standard consumer electronics and white goods.

Section 301 Tariffs: These are additional duties applied to products originating from China to address specific trade practices. These rates can add a significant 7.5% to 25% cost burden on top of standard HTS rates.

Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): An administrative fee charged by CBP to cover the cost of processing formal entries. It is calculated based on value but is strictly capped by minimum and maximum dollar amounts.

Antidumping and Countervailing Duties (AD/CVD): Remedial duties imposed on goods sold at less than fair value or those benefiting from foreign subsidies. These are frequently applied to specific categories such as large residential washing machines.