Country tariff overview · CN
China Tariffs to the United States
Chinese-origin imports to the US carry the most layered duty structure of any country: base HTS rate, Section 301 additional tariffs of 7.5%–25% on goods covered by Lists 1–4A, the IEEPA country tariff, and product-specific AD/CVD orders. Total combined duty rates above 35%–50% are routine on industrial goods.
Section 301 status
Section 301 tariffs apply to most Chinese-origin goods at the 8-digit HTS level. List 1, List 2, and List 3 carry a 25% additional duty covering industrial machinery, capital goods, semiconductors, chemicals, furniture, electronics, and many consumer goods. List 4A carries a 7.5% additional duty on consumer electronics, apparel, footwear, and other consumer products. Most Section 301 product-specific exclusions granted in 2019–2021 have expired.
IEEPA tariff and stacking
China is subject to the IEEPA country tariff, which stacks on top of base HTS duties and Section 301. A Chinese-origin product on List 1 (25%) with a 3% base rate and the IEEPA layer can carry a combined duty rate of 38% or more — before MPF, HMF, and any AD/CVD order. Always model the full stack rather than the headline base rate.
AD/CVD orders to watch
China is the most common origin in active AD/CVD orders. Major categories include steel products (cold-rolled, hot-rolled, corrosion-resistant), aluminum extrusions, solar cells (with circumvention extensions to Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam), wooden cabinets and bedroom furniture, paper and paperboard, seafood (shrimp, crawfish, salmon), and certain tires. Many Chinese AD rates exceed 100%, and producers without specific Commerce reviews default to the country-wide adverse-facts-available rate.
Mitigation: shifting away from Chinese origin
Substantial transformation in a third country can change the country of origin and remove Section 301 exposure. CBP applies the change-in-character-name-and-use test on a facts-and-circumstances basis. Sham assembly in Vietnam or Mexico — where Chinese components are merely combined or finished — does not shift origin and is a priority enforcement target. Foreign Trade Zone manufacturing inside the US, first sale valuation, and duty drawback are additional levers.
Sample HTS rates from China
Sample rates illustrate the duty layers that apply at the chapter or heading level — verify the precise 10-digit HTS code and current policy via the HTS code lookup before filing entry.
| HTS prefix | Description | Base rate | Additional layers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8517.13 | Smartphones | Free | Section 301 List 4A: 7.5% (subject to current exclusions) |
| 8471.30 | Laptop computers (under 10 kg) | Free | Section 301 List 4A: 7.5% |
| 9403.60 | Wooden furniture (other) | Free | Section 301 List 3: 25% + AD/CVD on bedroom furniture |
| 6109.10 | T-shirts of cotton | 16.5% | Section 301 List 4A: 7.5% |
| 8504.40 | Power supplies / static converters | Free | Section 301 List 3: 25% |
| 7308.30 | Steel doors and door frames | Free | Section 301 List 3: 25% + Section 232 steel: 25% + AD/CVD on related steel products |
For an exact 10-digit HTS code with current rates, use the HTS code lookup. To compute total landed cost including MPF and HMF, use the landed cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average tariff rate on imports from China to the US?
- There is no single average — rates depend on the HTS code. The base rate ranges from 0% to over 30%. Section 301 adds 7.5% (List 4A consumer goods) or 25% (Lists 1–3 industrial and intermediate goods) on top. IEEPA adds another layer. Industrial Chinese goods commonly face combined duty rates of 30%–50%; some AD/CVD-covered goods exceed 100%.
- Can I avoid Section 301 by shipping from Hong Kong?
- No. Section 301 applies based on country of origin, not country of export. Goods made in mainland China and shipped via Hong Kong or any other transit point remain Chinese origin and carry Section 301 duties.
- How do I check if a specific HTS code is on a Section 301 list?
- Section 301 lists are defined at the 8-digit HTS level. Use the free HTS code lookup tool below to see Section 301 status alongside the base rate, or search the USTR's Section 301 docket directly. Recent rate increases and remaining exclusions are documented in USTR notices.
Apply this to your products
Compute the full duty stack for any product from China — and watch for rate changes.
Related in-depth guides
Background on the trade-policy mechanisms that drive duty rates from this country.
Section 301 tariffs — complete guide
Lists 1–4A, current rates on Chinese-origin goods, and how exclusions work.
IEEPA tariffs explained
How the country-level tariff stacks on top of Section 301 for Chinese-origin goods.
AD/CVD practical guide
Hundreds of active orders cover Chinese steel, aluminum, furniture, solar, and seafood.