# Landed cost from China to the US, UK and EU

> What makes up the landed cost of pet products imported from China into the US, UK and EU: duty, fees, VAT, freight, and what a calculator cannot know.

Source: https://petlivinggear.com/guides/landed-cost-china-to-us-uk-eu/
Updated: 2026-10-25

**Short answer:** Landed cost is the goods price plus freight, import duty, customs fees and VAT or similar taxes. Which of these apply, and on what base, depends on the destination. Some inputs change often, so every number should show its source and date and anything unknown should be said out loud.

## The building blocks

| Component | What it is | Depends on |
|---|---|---|
| Goods | Price per unit times quantity | Your quote and price term |
| International freight | Sea or air from China to the destination | Volume, weight, season, route |
| Import duty | Percentage of the customs value | Tariff line and origin |
| Additional duties | Policy-based extra duties on some origins | Origin, tariff line, current policy |
| Customs fees | Processing and port fees | Destination and shipment value |
| VAT or similar tax | Percentage of goods plus duty (and freight in some markets) | Destination and product |
| Local costs | Broker, bond, delivery to your warehouse | Your set-up |

## Customs value differs by destination

The US generally assesses duty on the transaction value of the goods, which usually excludes international freight. The UK and the EU assess duty on a value that includes freight and insurance up to the border. That is why the same shipment can have a different duty base in different markets. Details are in the [US](https://petlivinggear.com/markets/import-pet-products-to-the-us/), [UK](https://petlivinggear.com/markets/import-pet-products-to-the-uk/) and [EU](https://petlivinggear.com/markets/import-pet-products-to-the-eu/) guides.

## Fees we include, with their source

For the US we include the merchandise processing fee at 0.3464 percent of the entered value, with a minimum of $34.58 and a maximum of $670.86, and a harbor maintenance fee of 0.125 percent for sea freight. Small shipments below $2500 can use an informal entry with a flat fee of $2.77. These figures were last checked on 2026-10-24 and apply until 2027-09-30; the fee limits are reset every fiscal year.

For import VAT, standard rates were last checked on 2026-10-24: Germany 19 percent, France 20 percent, the Netherlands 21 percent, Spain 21 percent, Italy 22 percent and the United Kingdom 20 percent. Reduced rates and exceptions exist, so confirm your product.

## What the calculator does not know

- Additional duties on Chinese goods in the US: they change often and depend on the tariff line, so we mark them as not included until verified.
- Freight: rates swing with the market, so you enter your forwarder's quote.
- Exact tariff classification: the calculator gives candidate lines; your broker decides.
- Your local costs, such as customs broker fees, bond and delivery.

## How to read the result

The calculator shows each component with its source and date, flags anything missing, and says when a figure is only partial. When data is past its review date the result is marked, and when it is too old the calculator declines to answer instead of giving a number you cannot trust. See [how we handle data](https://petlivinggear.com/methodology/).

## Try it

Use the [landed cost calculator](https://petlivinggear.com/tools/landed-cost/) with your quote, or send a [sourcing request](https://petlivinggear.com/rfq/) and we will include the landed cost in your brief.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why does the calculator not include additional US duties on Chinese goods?

They stack several programs, have changed repeatedly, and depend on the exact tariff line. We do not guess them. Ask a customs broker, then enter the rate they give you to see the effect.

### Is VAT a cost to me?

For a VAT-registered business it is usually recoverable, but it affects cash flow because it is paid at import. Check your own status with an accountant.

### Why does the duty show as a range?

Similar products can fall under different tariff lines with different rates. The range shows the candidates; your broker confirms the exact line.

## Related

- [Importing pet products to the US](https://petlivinggear.com/markets/import-pet-products-to-the-us/): What changes when you import pet products from China into the United States: customs value, duty, fees, additional duties, origin marking and product checks.
- [Importing pet products to the UK](https://petlivinggear.com/markets/import-pet-products-to-the-uk/): What buyers need to know when importing pet products from China into Great Britain: customs value, duty, import VAT, registration numbers and product safety.
- [Importing pet products to the EU](https://petlivinggear.com/markets/import-pet-products-to-the-eu/): What buyers need to know when importing pet products from China into the European Union: customs value, duty, VAT by country, product safety and chemical rules.
- [How to compare factory quotes](https://petlivinggear.com/guides/how-to-compare-factory-quotes/): How to compare quotes from Chinese manufacturers fairly: price terms, what is included, sample and tooling fees, minimums, packaging and payment terms.