Question 1

What are AD/CVD duties?

Accepted Answer

Antidumping (AD) duties are imposed when foreign companies sell goods in the US at prices below their home market value. Countervailing duties (CVD) offset government subsidies in the exporting country. Both are determined by the US Department of Commerce and stack on top of regular MFN tariffs. Some orders are combined AD/CVD, meaning an importer may owe both — resulting in additional duties that can exceed 100%.

Question 2

How do AD/CVD duties affect importers?

Accepted Answer

AD/CVD duties stack on top of all other applicable duties including MFN, Section 232, and Section 301 tariffs. Cash deposit rates are set at entry based on the exporter's most recent assigned rate, but final duty is determined retroactively after Commerce's annual administrative review — meaning importers can face unexpected bills or refunds months later.

Question 3

How do I check if my product is subject to AD/CVD orders?

Accepted Answer

Use the search tool at the top of this page — enter your HTS code or describe your product, and it will check against all active AD/CVD orders. You can also use the main tariff search, which shows AD/CVD risk alerts automatically. For official verification, check CBP's AD/CVD Case Reference File.

Question 4

What is circumvention in AD/CVD enforcement?

Accepted Answer

Circumvention occurs when goods are transshipped through third countries — like Vietnam, Malaysia, or Mexico — to avoid AD/CVD duties. CBP actively investigates this, and several orders include explicit circumvention findings covering additional countries beyond the original subject country.

Question 5

How often do AD/CVD rates change?

Accepted Answer

Rates are reviewed annually through Commerce Department administrative reviews. New petitions can also create entirely new orders. We track Federal Register notices and update our database when rates change.

Question 6

What is an HTS code?

Accepted Answer

An HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code is a 10-digit classification number used by US Customs and Border Protection to identify imported goods and determine applicable duty rates. The first 6 digits are standardized internationally under the Harmonized System, while the last 4 digits are specific to the United States.

Question 7

How are US tariff rates determined?

Accepted Answer

US tariff rates are set by Congress and administered by CBP. The base MFN (Most Favored Nation) rate applies to most trading partners. Additional special tariffs — such as Section 301 (China), Section 232 (steel and aluminum), and Section 122 (temporary global surcharge, 10–15% per Proclamation 11012) — may apply on top of the base rate. Note that Section 122 does not stack with Section 232: goods already subject to §232 actions are excluded from the §122 surcharge.

Question 8

What are Section 301 tariffs?

Accepted Answer

Section 301 tariffs are additional duties imposed on Chinese goods under the Trade Act of 1974, in response to unfair trade practices. They range from 7.5% to 100% depending on the product category and apply on top of the standard MFN duty rate. Four separate lists cover approximately $370 billion of annual imports.

Question 9

How do I find the tariff rate for my product?

Accepted Answer

Use the search bar on this site to describe your product in plain English — our AI identifies the correct HTS code and shows all applicable duty rates including base MFN, Section 301, Section 232, and any other overlays. You can also browse by HTS chapter or product category.

Question 10

What is a landed cost?

Accepted Answer

Landed cost is the total cost of importing a product to its destination, including the product price (FOB), ocean or air freight, insurance, US Customs duties, Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF), Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF), and any other applicable surcharges. It represents the true cost of an imported good before domestic distribution.

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