Customs Brokerage Fee Checklist – Easy Landed Cost Calculator (9 Fees)
Customs Brokerage Fee Checklist & Calculator
Free customs brokerage fee checklist – account for every hidden logistics cost. Select applicable fees, adjust the amounts, and instantly calculate your total customs liability and landed cost.
1. Shipment Baseline
2. Brokerage & Customs Fees Checklist
Total Estimated Landed Cost
Includes Value of Goods + All Selected Logistics/Customs Fees.
Total Logistics & Fees
Government Duties/Taxes
Fee Burden Ratio
Fees as % of Goods Value
Customs Brokerage Best Practices
Understanding Mandatory Fees (USA Example)
- MPF (Merchandise Processing Fee): Calculated at 0.3464% of the commercial value (Min $34.58, Max $670.86 from Oct 1, 2026).
- HMF (Harbor Maintenance Fee): Only applies to ocean freight (0.125% of commercial value). Not applicable to air freight.
- ISF (10+2 Rule): Must be filed 24 hours *before* the cargo is loaded onto the vessel originating overseas.
Cost Reduction Strategies
- Continuous Bonds: If you import more than 3-4 times a year, purchasing a Continuous Customs Bond is cheaper than paying Single Entry Bond fees every time.
- HS Code Accuracy: Ensure your Harmonized System (HS) codes are accurate. A wrong code can drastically increase your duty rate.
- Avoid Demurrage: Ensure all paperwork (Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading, Packing List) is cleared *before* the shipment arrives at the port to avoid daily storage penalties.
Use this free customs brokerage fee checklist to add up every import charge and see your true landed cost before the goods arrive.
Quick answer
Your landed cost is the value of goods + every customs brokerage fee and logistics charge. Tick the fees that apply – customs entry, duties, MPF, HMF, ISF, bond, terminal handling, demurrage and delivery – and the tool totals them. Example: $10,000 of goods with entry, duties, MPF, ISF, bond and drayage gives $1,049.64 in fees and a $11,049.64 landed cost (a 10.5% fee burden).
Table of Contents
Importers often budget for the freight bill and the duty rate – and then get surprised by a stack of smaller charges: broker entry fees, Merchandise Processing Fees, ISF filing, bonds, terminal handling and, worst of all, demurrage when paperwork is late.
This free customs brokerage fee checklist lists all nine common charges in one place. Turn each fee on or off, adjust the amounts from your broker’s quote, and instantly see the total logistics cost, government duties and your fee burden as a percentage of the goods value.
The 9 Fees in the Customs Brokerage Fee Checklist
| Fee | What it covers | Typical basis |
|---|---|---|
| Customs entry / clearance | Broker prepares and files your entry | Flat fee per entry |
| Import duties & taxes | Tariff based on HS code and origin | % of customs value |
| Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) | US CBP processing fee | 0.3464% (min $34.58, max $670.86 in FY2027) |
| Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) | US port upkeep – ocean freight only | 0.125% of value |
| ISF filing | Importer Security Filing (10+2) | Flat broker fee |
| Customs bond | Guarantee to CBP for duties | Single-entry or annual continuous bond |
| Terminal handling (THC) / airline docs | Port or airline handling charges | Per container or shipment |
| Demurrage / storage | Penalty when cargo is not picked up in time | Per day |
| Delivery / drayage | Trucking from port to your door | Per trip |
MPF figures are the US CBP fiscal year 2027 values that apply from October 1, 2026. Duty rates and broker fees vary – always use your broker’s quote for final numbers.
Customs Brokerage Fee Example
Importing $10,000 of goods by ocean with a $125 entry fee, $450 duty, $34.64 MPF (0.3464%), $35 ISF, $55 single-entry bond and $350 drayage gives $1,049.64 in fees and duties. The landed cost is $11,049.64, so fees add 10.5% to the price of the goods. Add the $12.50 HMF and terminal charges for a full ocean shipment.
How to Use the Customs Brokerage Fee Checklist
Estimate your landed cost in three steps.
Step 1: Enter Goods Value and Select Fees
Set your currency symbol and the total commercial value of goods. In the checklist, tick each fee that applies to your shipment and type the amount from your broker or forwarder quote. Use Select All to start with every fee switched on.
Step 2: Calculate Your Landed Cost
Click Calculate Total Costs. The results show the Total Estimated Landed Cost, Total Logistics & Fees, Government Duties/Taxes and the Fee Burden Ratio – fees as a percentage of goods value.
Step 3: Review Best Practices and Export
Read the Customs Brokerage Best Practices for MPF, HMF and ISF rules and ways to cut costs. Click Export Fee Breakdown (JSON) to save the figures or share them with your team.
How to Reduce Customs Brokerage Fees
- Use a continuous bond if you import more than a few times a year – it is usually cheaper than paying for single-entry bonds each time.
- Get HS codes right. A wrong classification can mean a higher duty rate, penalties or delays.
- File ISF on time – at least 24 hours before ocean cargo is loaded – to avoid fines.
- Send documents early. Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading should reach your broker before the ship arrives to avoid demurrage.
- Consolidate shipments. MPF and broker fees are often per entry, so fewer, larger entries can lower the fee burden.
- Compare broker quotes and check what is included in their flat fee.
Who Should Use This Checklist?
- E-commerce sellers importing inventory from China, India or Europe.
- Small manufacturers bringing in raw materials or parts.
- Procurement teams comparing suppliers on landed cost, not just unit price.
- Freight forwarders preparing clear cost breakdowns for clients.
Planning stock levels as well? Work out when to reorder with the Supply Chain Lead Time & Reorder Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a customs brokerage fee?
It is the fee a licensed customs broker charges to prepare and file your import entry, usually a flat amount per shipment.
What is the Merchandise Processing Fee for 2026–2027?
From October 1, 2026, US formal-entry MPF is 0.3464% of the goods value, with a minimum of $34.58 and a maximum of $670.86.
Does the Harbor Maintenance Fee apply to air freight?
No. HMF (0.125% of value) applies only to cargo arriving by sea at US ports.
What is landed cost?
Landed cost is the total cost of getting goods to your door: product value plus freight, duties, taxes and all customs and logistics fees.
How can I avoid demurrage charges?
Make sure customs paperwork is cleared before arrival and arrange pickup quickly, because ports charge daily storage after the free time ends.
Is the customs brokerage fee checklist free?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up and runs in your browser.