Import Duty for Gold 2026: Navigate Duties, Cut Costs, Stay Compliant

United States Customs Duties for Gold Summary

The United States maintains a generally liberal trade regime for gold, where most bullion and raw forms enter the country duty-free under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. However, importers must still navigate a variety of administrative fees and potential trade remedy duties that depend on the country of origin and the method of transportation. Ensuring proper classification and origin documentation is essential for SME importers to avoid unexpected costs at the border.

Types of Duties and Taxes:

Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) Duty: Most unwrought gold and bullion enter at a 0% rate. This standard rate applies to imports from most global trading partners with normal trade relations.

Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): This is an ad valorem administrative fee required for all formal entries. It is subject to specific minimum and maximum dollar limits per entry.

Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): This fee is only applicable to shipments arriving via ocean freight. It is calculated at a rate of 0.125% of the cargo value to support port infrastructure.

Section 301 Duties: These are additional tariffs applied to goods from specific countries, most notably China. Importers must check the current exclusion lists to see if their specific gold product is affected.