There are many resources that are available for you to determine tariff/duty rates on products going abroad. Before reviewing information resources, it is important to be prepared so the process of attaining these rates are as painless as possible.

First, it is important to obtain the Harmonized/Schedule B number for the product that is leaving the country. Customs officials around the world use this number to assess duties and taxes on the product. The first 6 digits are considered the Harmonized System Number and is standardized worldwide. The 10-digit number represents the Schedule B. Governments use this number to distinguish commodities in certain categories.

To find the tariff information, the Harmonized Number (first 6 digits) is required.

The U.S. Census Bureau website: http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/index.html can be used to determine the Harmonized and Schedule B number for the purpose of obtaining the tariff/duty rates on products to another country. Further information and assistance can be obtained by calling 301-763-3047.

After the H/S # has been obtained, the U.S. government provides tariff/duty rate information for U.S. goods being shipped to foreign countries. The Trade Information Center can be reached at

1-800-USA-Trade to provide Tariff and Tax rates.

For Mexican duty rates, see http://www.economia-snci.gob.mx/.

For duty rates concerning Russia and the New Independent States, call the Business information service for the New Independent States (BISNIS) at 202-482-4655 or try http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/customs.cfm.

Call the Central and Eastern Europe Business Information Center at 202-482-2645 for duty rates concerning those countries.

For duty rates on agricultural goods, contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service. All requests must be faxed.

For Europe, Africa and the Middle East:
Phone #: 202-720-1341
Fax #: 202-690-1093

For Asia and the Americas:
Phone #: 202-720-1289
Fax #: 202-690-2079

In addition, please try accessing the Foreign Agriculture Service. On this homepage, please select the “Trade Policy & Negotiation” link to the WTO trade trends and tariff schedule.
Other Concerns: Single/Flat Rates and Free Trade Agreements

It is important to be informed that certain countries have a single/flat tariff rate. Some of these countries include Bahrain, Bolivia, Chile, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Qatar, and Singapore. These countries, though, all have different stipulations regarding their tariff/duty rates. More information concerning these countries and their rules and regulations can be obtained at www.export.gov or the Trade Information Center at 1-800-USA-TRADE.

It is also important recognize that goods that qualify under the US-Israel Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement rules of origin qualify for zero duty rates. A special Certificate of Origin must be used for this qualification.

Other Information Sources for Customs Information and Tariff/Duty Rates:

European Union

EU members include:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

Asia-Pacific Economic Community (APEC)

APEC Members Include: Asian Communities, United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile

Canada

Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

COMESA Members Include: Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

South Africa Customs Union (SACU)

SACU Members Include: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland