The Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) is currently 0.125% of the value of imported commercial cargo shipped through U.S. ports, with no minimum or maximum charge.
What is the maximum harbor maintenance fee?
There is no maximum Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF); it’s charged at a flat rate of 0.125% of the shipment’s value
This fee applies to imports, domestic shipments, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) admissions, and even passengers. It’s calculated solely based on the declared cargo value, no matter the shipment size or type. A $100,000 shipment? That’s just $125 in HMF (0.125% of $100,000). Not sure about your shipment’s value? Your customs broker or the CBP Form 7501 instructions can help you calculate it accurately.
Who pays Harbour maintenance?
The importer of the cargo is responsible for paying the Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF)
Payment usually happens through standard U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collection procedures—like filling out CBP Form 7501 during entry. The importer (or their customs broker) must ensure the HMF gets paid to avoid delays or penalties. For shipments under $2,500, the HMF might be waived, but that depends on the entry type and CBP guidelines as of 2026. If you're curious about other fees, you might want to learn more about transportation costs.
What is harbor Maintenance Tax?
The Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) is a federal tax created by the Harbor Maintenance Revenue Act of 1986 to fund U.S. port and harbor maintenance
Money from the HMT goes into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF), covering dredging, infrastructure repairs, and other harbor expenses. It’s calculated the same way as the HMF—0.125% of cargo value—and collected alongside other customs fees. The key difference? The HMT is strictly for maintaining navigable waterways and ports. For more context on harbor history, check out why Pearl Harbor was attacked.
How much is MPF and HMF?
HMF is 0.125% of the shipment’s value, while MPF for formal entries is 0.3464% (minimum $27.23, maximum $528.33)
Informal entries (like goods shipped by mail) have a flat MPF: $2.22, $6.66, or $9.99 per shipment, depending on transport mode. Take a $50,000 formal entry: that’s $173.20 in MPF (0.3464% of $50,000) and $62.50 in HMF (0.125% of $50,000). Always double-check your entry type with your customs broker to avoid surprises.
What is the current merchandise processing fee?
The current Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) for formal entries is 0.3464% of the shipment’s value
This fee is separate from duties and taxes, calculated on the entered merchandise value (freight and insurance excluded). As of 2026, the MPF has a minimum of $27.23 and a maximum of $528.33. Informal entries? Flat rate, as mentioned earlier. The fee helps fund CBP operations like inspections and trade compliance programs.
Is there a minimum HMF?
No, there’s no minimum or maximum charge for the Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF)
The HMF applies to the full shipment value, even if the cargo is duty-free or qualifies for trade programs like NAFTA/USMCA. A $10,000 shipment of duty-free goods? That’s still $12.50 in HMF. Always budget for HMF, even with low-value shipments. If you’re shipping under the de minimis value (like $800 for personal imports), the HMF might not apply. Learn more about customs valuation for personal shipments.
What is cotton fee?
The cotton fee is a small assessment on cotton imports, typically waived if the line item on CBP documentation is $2.00 or less
This fee funds cotton research and promotion programs, separate from duties. Check your CBP documentation carefully—if the itemized value is $2.00 or under, the fee is skipped. For pricier cotton shipments, the exact fee rate depends on the cotton type and end use, so consult the CBP HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) for details.
What is the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund?
The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) is a federal fund covering U.S. harbor and port maintenance, including dredging and infrastructure repairs
The HMTF gets its revenue from the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) and Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF). It covers 100% of maintenance costs for harbors 50 feet deep or less. Deeper channels? Nonfederal interests (like port authorities) chip in for the extra costs. The HMTF keeps U.S. ports navigable and competitive, supporting trade and economic growth. To see how this impacts local economies, read about Bar Harbor, Maine.
How much can you send to U.S. without paying duty?
You can send up to $100 worth of gifts duty-free to friends or relatives in the U.S., as long as the same person doesn’t receive more than $100 in gifts per day
This applies to gifts mailed or shipped from outside the U.S. Shipments from insular possessions (like Puerto Rico)? The duty-free limit jumps to $200. Exceed those limits, and duties and taxes kick in. For commercial shipments, the de minimis value is $800 as of 2026—meaning shipments $800 or less are generally duty-free.
How much is clearance fee?
The clearance fee is 0.3464% of the entered value, with a minimum of $27.23 and a maximum of $528.33
This fee is the same as the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) and is collected by U.S. Customs for most incoming shipments. The entered value is the cost listed on your commercial invoice. A $10,000 shipment? That’s $34.64 in clearance fees. Shipments under $7,850? The fee drops to the minimum of $27.23.
How much is U.S. custom tax?
Up to $800 in goods is duty-free for personal imports, with duties applying only to the amount over $800
This de minimis exemption covers most countries. For goods from Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) or Andean countries, the duty-free limit is also $800. Anything over that threshold gets taxed, and rates vary by product category. Example: a $1,000 shipment of electronics from a CBI country? You’ll pay duties on the $200 over the $800 limit. Always check the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) for exact rates.
What is a merchandising fee Walmart?
The Walmart merchandising fee is a charge on certain items (like tires, electronics, or mattresses) to cover disposal and recycling costs
These products often need special handling due to environmental or safety rules. The fee is usually baked into the product’s price at checkout. A mattress? That might come with a $5 recycling fee. Always check your receipt or product listing to see if the fee applies. For more on recycling programs, explore environmental fees.
What is a merchandise processing fee MPF and why do I have to pay it?
The Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection fee charged on most imports to cover shipment processing and monitoring costs
The MPF applies to both formal and informal entries, calculated as 0.3464% of the shipment’s value (or a flat fee for informal entries). A $20,000 formal entry? That’s $69.28 in MPF. The fee helps fund CBP operations—inspections, trade compliance, port security—without it, Customs wouldn’t have the resources to keep imports moving smoothly. For more on how fees fund operations, see how infrastructure costs are managed.
What is Fedex merchandise processing fee?
FedEx charges the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) set by U.S. Customs, ranging from $27.23 (minimum) to $528.33 (maximum) as of 2026
FedEx includes this fee in their total customs charges for U.S.-bound shipments. A $100,000 shipment? That’s $346.40 in MPF. Shipments under $7,850? The fee is the minimum $27.23. FedEx might also add brokerage or handling fees, so always review their fee schedule for the full cost breakdown.
