What this United Kingdom estimate includes
ImportSmart separates the parts of the import calculation so you can inspect the rate, tax base, government fees and other shipment costs instead of receiving one unexplained total.
- Customs value from the entered goods value, freight, insurance and valuation method.
- A supported unconditional ad-valorem customs-duty measure.
- Import VAT using a resolvable commodity VAT measure or the supported standard 20% path.
- Broker or clearance cost in the VAT base where the current ImportSmart UK method requires it.
- Freight, insurance and the combined landed-cost estimate.
The result is a planning estimate, not a binding customs decision, classification ruling or guarantee of the amount assessed at import.
What you need before calculating
Commodity code: Enter the exact 10-digit UK commodity code. A shorter heading is not enough for the live commodity-measure check.
- The exact 10-digit UK commodity code.
- Country of origin for origin-sensitive measures and treatment.
- Goods value, freight, insurance, brokerage and exchange rate.
- Separate confirmation for relief, excise or a trade-remedy measure when applicable.
Start in Simple mode. Open Advanced only for a verified exception, preference, customs-valuation choice or manual tariff rate.
How the automatic tariff check works
Official measures are screened. ImportSmart looks at the current HMRC measures for the commodity rather than relying on a generic product-category percentage.
Only one supported rate proceeds. A single unconditional percentage can be calculated automatically. Competing, conditional or unit-based rates do not pass the safety gate.
VAT has its own base. The result identifies import VAT separately so users can inspect the value, duty and entered clearance components that feed it.
When ImportSmart stops instead of guessing
A visible stop is safer than a plausible-looking but unsupported duty figure. The automatic path asks for review when:
- The commodity code is not exactly 10 digits or is not found.
- A trade-remedy, conditional, specific or compound measure applies.
- More than one current rate remains possible after the measure check.
- Relief, excise or a reduced VAT treatment requires evidence not supplied to the calculator.
Official tariff source
ImportSmart identifies the source used by the supported calculation path. For classification and final entry decisions, check HMRC UK Integrated Online Tariff directly.
Tariffs and trade measures can change. Confirm the commodity code, effective date, origin and any special treatment before relying on an estimate for a customs declaration or commercial commitment.
United Kingdom calculator questions
Why does the UK calculator require 10 digits?
The live HMRC lookup is tied to a specific commodity. A broad heading can include products with different duties, remedies or conditions, so ImportSmart requires the exact 10-digit code.
Is import VAT calculated only on the goods price?
Not generally. The supported calculation forms a VAT base from the relevant customs value and additional entered components, including duty and the applicable brokerage or clearance input.
What happens when a trade remedy appears?
The automatic calculation stops and points to the official source. ImportSmart does not show a base-duty-only result as though the additional measure did not exist.