TariffsChart methodology guide

How TariffsChart uses official sources, public tariff data, calculator formulas, and review boundaries for import-cost planning.

What TariffsChart is

TariffsChart is a public tariff research and landed-cost planning site for importers, cross-border sellers, and operators. It helps you look up HS/HTS references, compare country tariff data, estimate landed cost, and understand which official sources still need review before you place an order or quote a customer.

TariffsChart is not an official customs database, customs broker, law firm, tax advisor, freight forwarder, or government authority. Use it to structure the question and collect source links; confirm final classification, valuation, origin, trade remedies, and filing positions with official sources and qualified professionals.

What is live now

The public site currently focuses on five jobs:

Country tariff rates: compare current and historical tariff indicators by country, with World Bank / WITS and WTO Tariff & Trade Data source notes.
HS / HTS lookup: search verified HTS records and open source-backed detail pages when a base HTS row is available.
US import duty calculator: model goods value, freight, insurance, base duty, additional tariff layers, fixed fees, and target margin.
Tariff Tracker: follow Federal Register and trade-policy notices that may affect Section 122, Section 301, Section 232, IEEPA, and other tariff layers.
Guides and reports: use blog guides, docs, and the optional $29 Import Duty Quick Check when you want a source-backed human review summary.

Calculator formula

For planning estimates, TariffsChart separates the customs value question from the cash-flow cost question:

Dutiable value = goods/customs value + freight + insurance, unless CIF is selected
Base duty = dutiable value x base duty rate
Additional tariff = dutiable value x additional tariff rate
Import tax base = dutiable value + base duty + additional tariff + fixed fees
Import tax = import tax base x import tax/VAT/GST rate
Landed cost = dutiable value + duties + import tax + fixed fees
Unit cost = landed cost / quantity
Suggested unit price = unit cost / (1 - target gross margin)

These formulas are planning formulas. Customs valuation, Incoterms treatment, freight/insurance treatment, taxes, fees, and admissibility rules vary by jurisdiction and shipment facts.

Data freshness

TariffsChart uses multiple layers with different update speeds:

US HTS base records are synced from the USITC HTS source on a weekly schedule.
WTO HS6 recent schedule samples are refreshed weekly for selected high-intent countries and products.
Country-level historical tariff indicators are refreshed monthly because World Bank / WITS indicators update slowly.
Federal Register policy-monitor records are checked daily.

The date shown on a page is the date for that data layer, not a promise that every tariff rule in the world changed on that day. Always open the linked official source before filing or making a binding decision.

What users should verify

Before relying on an estimate, verify at minimum:

Full HS/HTS classification and product facts.
Country of origin and any substantial-transformation claim.
Customs valuation and Incoterms treatment.
Base duty, special duty, additional tariffs, import tax, and fixed fees.
Section 301, Section 232, Chapter 99, AD/CVD, quotas, safeguards, exclusions, and preference programs.
Final broker, carrier, platform, payment, demurrage, detention, and storage fees.