What are Section 301 tariffs and how do they affect me? — Section 301 Tariff Rates

Check which List your HS code falls under (1-4A). List 1: 25% (industrial goods), List 2: 25% (machinery). Lists 3-4A: 7.5% (most consumer goods). Cost: 7.5-25% additional. Timeline: In effect.

What are Section 301 tariffs and how do they affect me? — De Minimis Limitation

Section 301 tariffs apply on shipments over $200 per package. Standard de minimis ($800) still applies for regular duty. But Section 301 duty kicks in at $200 — much lower threshold. Cost: —. Timeline: —.

What are Section 301 tariffs and how do they affect me?

Last updated: 2026-08-17·Verified: 2026-08-02Method & sources

Sources:US Trade Representative 301

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📋 Direct Answer

Section 301 tariffs are additional US import duties (7.5-25%) on Chinese-origin goods, imposed in response to China's trade practices. They apply ON TOP of standard MFN tariffs. Most consumer electronics, toys, textiles, and household goods are affected. These tariffs are still in effect in 2026. Combined with MFN duty, total rates can reach 25-50%+ on many products. No de minimis exemption for Section 301 above $200. (Reference values: 2025-2026)

Requirements

7.5-25% additional

Est. Total Cost

In effect

Timeline

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📝 Step-by-Step Guide

Total 6 steps·Est. In effect

Prerequisites

•Section 301 Tariff Rates

1
Section 301 Tariff Rates - Step 1
Check which List your HS code falls under (1-4A)
2
Section 301 Tariff Rates - Step 2
List 1: 25% (industrial goods), List 2: 25% (machinery)
3
Section 301 Tariff Rates - Step 3
Lists 3-4A: 7.5% (most consumer goods)
4
De Minimis Limitation - Step 1
Section 301 tariffs apply on shipments over $200 per package
5
De Minimis Limitation - Step 2
Standard de minimis ($800) still applies for regular duty
6
De Minimis Limitation - Step 3
But Section 301 duty kicks in at $200 — much lower threshold

💰 Cost Breakdown

Item	Cost	Frequency
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)	10-20% higher shipping + duty advance	one-time
DAP (Delivered at Place)	Standard shipping rates	one-time
Self-filing customs declaration	€200-500/shipment for in-house team	one-time
Section 301 Tariff Rates	7.5-25% additional	one-time
Total Estimate	€215 – €545	Per US filing

🚨CRITICAL RISK

Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods are expanding in 2025-2026, with new product categories added and rates increased to 25-100% on some items

Products previously at 7.5-10% may jump to 25% or higher

🛡️ Prevention Steps

✓Monitor USTR announcements monthly
✓Diversify sourcing away from China for high-tariff categories
✓Use FTZ (Foreign Trade Zones) for duty deferral

Item by Item

RequiredSection 301 Tariff Rates

7.5-25% additionalIn effect

1Check which List your HS code falls under (1-4A)
2List 1: 25% (industrial goods), List 2: 25% (machinery)
3Lists 3-4A: 7.5% (most consumer goods)

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InfoDe Minimis Limitation

——

1Section 301 tariffs apply on shipments over $200 per package
2Standard de minimis ($800) still applies for regular duty
3But Section 301 duty kicks in at $200 — much lower threshold

Read full guide →Use tool →

Comparison

	DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)	DAP (Delivered at Place)	Self-filing customs declaration
Pros	✓ Buyer sees final price, no surprise charges ✓ Faster customs clearance ✓ Better customer experience	✓ Lower shipping cost than DDP ✓ Buyer handles import clearance ✓ Simpler for seller	✓ Full control over HS codes and valuations ✓ Can optimize duty rates ✓ No broker markup
Cons	✗ Seller bears all duty/tax risk ✗ Higher shipping cost ✗ Complex duty calculation per destination	✗ Buyer may refuse delivery due to unexpected fees ✗ Higher return rate ✗ Worse conversion	✗ Requires customs expertise ✗ Time-intensive ✗ Errors can cause seizures
Best For	B2C sellers wanting premium customer experience	B2B sellers or low-value goods where buyer expects to handle customs	High-volume sellers with dedicated logistics team
Est. Cost	10-20% higher shipping + duty advance	Standard shipping rates	€200-500/shipment for in-house team

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Common Mistakes

❌ Assuming Section 301 tariffs are temporary — they have been in place since 2018 and are expanding

💥 Consequence: Building business models on assumed duty removal that never happens

✅ Fix: Treat Section 301 as a permanent cost factor in your pricing

❌ Not checking the full duty stack — Section 301 is ON TOP of regular MFN duty

💥 Consequence: Total duty can reach 30-40% for some product categories

✅ Fix: Calculate total duty = MFN rate + Section 301 rate + any anti-dumping duties

Seller Paths

Understand Section 301 Impact

1. Check if product is on Section 301 list
2. Calculate additional tariff rate (7.5%-25%)
3. Factor into pricing model
4. Explore exclusion request process if applicable

💰 Free (analysis); exclusion request may need legal help⏱ 1-2 days analysis; 6-12 months for exclusion

Mitigate Section 301 Costs

1. Source from non-China countries where possible
2. Use Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) for duty deferral
3. Apply for exclusion if product qualifies
4. Consider bonded warehouse for cost management

💰 Variable (FTZ may have storage fees)⏱ 2-8 weeks for mitigation setup

Next Steps

HighCheck if your product HS codes fall under Section 301 List 1-4A1 week

MediumEvaluate exclusion request processes if available for your product category2-4 weeks

MediumConsider tariff engineering — modifying product classification or sourcing from non-China origins1-3 months

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