---
title: "Tariff"
description: "A tariff is a publication of rates, charges, classifications, and rules. As it relates to U.S. Customs, it is a list of products to which a rate of tax applies, determining the duty amount owed for importing or exporting a product."
language: en
canonical: https://www.flexport.com/glossary/tariff/
lifecycle: live
dateModified: 2026-10-08T14:58:38Z
topics:
  - "Greater China"
  - "Classification"
---

# Tariff

A tariff is a publication of rates, charges, classifications, and rules. As it relates to U.S. Customs, it is a list of products to which a rate of tax applies, determining the duty amount owed for importing or exporting a product.

## What is a tariff?

A tariff is a publication of rates, charges, classifications, and rules. A tariff, as it relates to U.S. Customs, is a list of products to which a rate of tax applies, as determined by the [Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)](https://www.flexport.com/glossary/hs-hts-codes/). A tariff determines the duty amount owed for importing or exporting a product.

What's the difference between duty and tariff?

Duty is the actual amount of money owed as a result of a tariff, while tariffs determine the percentage of tax that applies to products. [Duty is calculated](https://www.flexport.com/help/customs-duties-estimate/) by multiplying the value of a product by the number of products by the tax rate that applies to that product.

Tariff and duty rate are often used interchangeably, although in some contexts one is more appropriate than the other. For instance, *tariff* is used to describe the list of products to which a new *duty rate* applies.

## How do tariffs affect your landed cost?

A tariff raises the cost of bringing a product into a country, so it changes your landed cost and often your pricing. The applicable rate typically depends on the product's classification, its country of origin, and any trade agreement or special measure that applies. Check the current rate for your HTS code before you place an order, since governments can change tariffs, sometimes with short notice.

Back to the [full glossary](https://www.flexport.com/glossary/).

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*This is a markdown version of [https://www.flexport.com/glossary/tariff/](https://www.flexport.com/glossary/tariff/) for AI/LLM consumption.*