How do tariffs get paid?
As the global trade story continues to evolve, we’ll be sharing some simple guides to some of the key terminology and processes you might want to know more about. This week, we’ve got a quick guide to how global tariffs are calculated and paid.
Who pays them?
The tariff is paid by the businesses who import products into their country from overseas โ essentially adding an extra cost to foreign products which, in turn, can make them more expensive for exporters, importers, the end consumer, or a combination of them all.
Who takes the payment?
These importers have to pay the tariff to the custom authority in their country โ for example, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the US, The Australian Border Force (ABF) or His Majestyโs Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the UK. A countryโs customs authority is responsible for controlling the flow of goods across borders and enforcing customs laws, including the collection of tariffs.
When does the payment happen?
Usually, imported products will need to clear through customs before they can be officially brought into the country. Clearing customs is the process where officials will examine the goods being imported, check their paperwork and assess their value. In most countries, tariffs must be paid before goods are released from customs.
How long does it take for goods to clear customs?
It depends on a lot of different factors, and times can vary depending on whether the goods arrived in the country via air or sea, and the type of goods being imported (for example, pharmaceuticals are subject to strict regulations and may require extra approvals).
The accompanying paperwork also impacts the speed with which the shipment is cleared โ and documents that are incomplete, inaccurate or missing are a common cause of delays in customs.
How is the payment calculated?
The importer is responsible for declaring the correct tariff classification and value of the goods in their customs documentation. Customs authorities then review the paperwork accompanying any imported products to determine what tariff needs to applied and the value of the goods.
The tariff that needs paying is based on the declared value of the goods, their country of origin and harmonized system (HS) codes that are used by customs authorities to classify different kinds of traded products.
From all this they can then calculate the tariff owed and collect payment from the importer.
Weโll be following the global trade news closely, so look out for more articles explaining some of the key terms in the story.
Nothing herein should be construed as if Payoneer Inc. or its affiliates are soliciting or inviting any person outside the jurisdiction where it operates/is licensed to engage in payment services provided by Payoneer Inc. or its affiliates, unless permitted by applicable laws. Any products/services availability are subject to customerโs eligibility. Not all products/services are available in all jurisdictions in the same manner. Depending on or your eligibility, you may be offered with the Corporate Purchasing Mastercard, issued by First Century Bank, N.A., under a license by Mastercardยฎ and provided to you by Payoneer Inc., or the Payoneer Business Premium Debit Mastercardยฎ, issued and provided from Ireland by Payoneer Europe Limited under a license by Mastercard. The Payoneer Business Premium Debit Mastercardยฎ cannot be used at merchants or ATMs in Hong Kong or for HKD payments. If you are located in the EEA, all Payoneer Services will be provided to you by Payoneer Europe Limited, trading as Payoneer and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
The information in this document is intended to be of a general nature and does not constitute legal advice. While we have endeavored to ensure that the information is up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability of the information. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever incurred in connection with the information provided.
Related resources
Latest articles
-
A guide to starting a business in Estonia as a non-citizen
If youโve thought about opening a new business somewhere with plenty of government support, expanding your business into the EU, or making it easier to work as a contractor or digital nomad anywhere in the European Economic Area (EEA), you should think about starting a business in Estonia…
-
How to simplify payment operations with Payoneerโs automation feature
Save time, reduce costs, and eliminate errors with Payoneerโs new payment automation feature.
-
How to prevent online payment fraud as an SMB
Prevent online payment fraud by overcoming challenges like phishing, fake accounts, and account takeovers (ATO) with enhanced security features from Payoneer.
-
Amazon Fees & Policy Updates 2024
Amazon regularly makes planned updates to fees and policies that may impact Payoneer customers that sell on Amazon. To keep Payoneer customers informed regarding upcoming and past updates, weโre providing a list of known changes to Amazon fees and Policy updates.
-
How Payoneerโs target exchange rate feature will help you save more on bank withdrawals
Boost savings with Payoneerโs target exchange rate feature.
-
Navigating phishing attacks: A guide to keeping your Payoneer account secure
Keeping your funds safe is our number one priority at Payoneer. While phishing attempts can happen, arming yourself with knowledge is key to keeping your data and money safe