CBP Fees Calculator: MPF, HMF, Harbor Maintenance Fee & Customs Fee Rates 2026
Use this CBP fees calculator guide to estimate MPF, HMF, harbor maintenance fee, and common customs fee line items for 2026 US imports.
CBP fees are predictable if you separate the line items
Quick answer: for most 2026 formal entries, the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) is 0.3464% of entered value with a $33.58 minimum and $651.50 maximum. Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) is 0.125% of cargo value when covered waterborne cargo is loaded or unloaded at a covered port.
A CBP fees calculator should not treat every charge as a tariff. US Customs and Border Protection collects or administers several different fee types, and each has its own trigger. For most small importers, the recurring federal fees are MPF and HMF.
For an all-in import estimate, use the tariff lookup tool. For CBP fee mechanics, start with the table below.
Core CBP fee lines
| Fee | Applies to | 2026 planning method | Formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) | Most formal entries | 0.3464% of entered value, subject to min/max | min(max(value x 0.003464, 33.58), 651.50) |
| Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) | Covered waterborne imports | 0.125% of cargo value | value x 0.00125 |
| Informal entry fee | Some low-value entries | Depends on processing path | Use the applicable CBP informal-entry schedule |
| Manual surcharge | Certain manual processing situations | Fixed surcharge when applicable | Add only if the entry is filed manually |
Official sources and update date
| Line item | Primary source | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| MPF | CBP help article on Merchandise Processing Fees | Current fiscal-year minimum, maximum, and manual surcharge |
| HMF | CBP help article on Harbor Maintenance Fee and CBP rulings referencing 19 CFR 24.24 | Whether the shipment is covered waterborne cargo and whether an exemption applies |
| HTS duty and trade remedies | USITC HTS and USTR/CBP notices | Base duty, Section 301, Section 232, and other tariff layers |
Last reviewed: 2026-06-11. This page estimates common federal fee mechanics only; it is not a substitute for entry-specific advice from a licensed customs broker.
Example
For a $40,000 ocean shipment:
| Line | Estimate |
|---|---|
| MPF | $138.56 before min/max check |
| HMF | $50.00 |
| CBP fee subtotal | $188.56 |
This does not include HTS duty, Section 301, broker fees, bond cost, freight, or domestic delivery.
How to calculate CBP fees for one shipment
- Confirm entry type: decide whether the shipment is a formal entry, informal entry, de minimis shipment, or another special entry path.
- Enter customs value: use the entered value used for the customs entry, not retail price or landed cost.
- Calculate MPF: multiply entered value by
0.003464, then apply the current CBP minimum and maximum. - Check HMF trigger: add HMF only when covered waterborne cargo is loaded or unloaded at a covered port.
- Add the fee lines to duty: combine MPF and HMF with HTS duty, Section 301/232/122 layers, broker fees, bond cost, freight, and delivery to model landed cost.
Best next step
If your shipment is only an ocean fee estimate, use an HMF calculator. If it is a full import-cost decision, calculate the entire landed cost because duty and Section 301 can be much larger than CBP user fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MPF paid to CBP?
Yes. MPF is a CBP user fee collected during the customs entry process.
Is HMF paid on air freight?
Usually no. HMF is tied to covered waterborne cargo. Air and truck-only shipments usually do not trigger HMF, though they may still trigger MPF.
Is HMF the same as MPF?
No. HMF is a harbor-related fee for covered waterborne cargo. MPF is a customs entry processing fee that applies to most formal entries, including many shipments that do not arrive by ocean.
Does a CBP fees calculator include tariffs?
Not by itself. CBP fees are only one part of landed cost. A full tariff calculator also needs the HTS code, country of origin, base duty rate, trade-agreement treatment, Section 301, Section 232, and any other active trade remedy.