US Duty Calculator

Since the US suspended its USD 800 de minimis exemption in August 2025, Australian stores have paid US import duty up front, charged to a Zonos account when they lodge with Australia Post. This calculator shows what that costs you: the duty on a typical order, the Zonos handling fee of 10% of the duty, any flat admin fee per parcel, and the totals per month and per year.

Since 24 July 2026 duty is worked out per item, from each item's 10-digit HS code and country of origin, and US parcels without a 10-digit code may be returned. One average rate for a typical order shows the size of the cost. For an exact figure, the rate for each product's code is in the USITC's Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

It is an estimate, not a customs quote. Orders valued over USD 2,500 follow the older process, where the receiver pays the duty and fees, so leave those out.

How to use this tool

1. Enter the value of a typical US order in Australian dollars, before shipping.
2. Enter a duty rate. The duty on a recent Zonos statement divided by that order's value gives your real average; otherwise look up your products' 10-digit codes at hts.usitc.gov.
3. Enter how many US orders you send a month, and the flat admin fee from your Zonos statement if you want it included.
4. Read the duty, handling fee and total per order, then the monthly and yearly totals. Everything updates as you type.

Frequently asked questions

Who pays US import duty on parcels sent from Australia?

For orders valued up to USD 2,500, the sender does. Australia Post requires duty to be paid before goods enter the US, so it is charged to your Zonos Verified Account when you lodge. Orders over USD 2,500 follow the older process, where the receiver pays.

What is the Zonos handling fee?

Zonos adds a handling fee of 10% of the duty payable, plus a flat admin processing fee per parcel. The calculator adds the 10% automatically. Enter the admin fee from your own statement, since it is a flat amount rather than a percentage.

Why does the calculator use one duty rate when duty is per item?

Since 24 July 2026 each item is charged at the rate for its HS code and country of origin. A single average rate is the quickest way to see what US orders cost you overall. If your range mixes rates, work out an average from recent Zonos statements, or run the calculator once per product.

Do I need a 10-digit HS code for US parcels?

Yes. Since 24 July 2026 US customs only accepts 10-digit HS codes, and Australia Post says items without one may be returned. Six and eight-digit codes are no longer enough.

How do I stop paying US duty out of my margin?

Charge it at checkout. On WooCommerce, the free International Fees and Coupons plugin adds a US import duty line, worked out as a percentage of the order, for US customers only. The Tradewind guide to US duty for Australian stores walks through the setup.