Importing from China: US, EU & UK Duty Rate Comparison

TL;DR: The same product from China faces dramatically different duty rates in the US, EU, and UK. According to the Tax Foundation, the trade-weighted average US tariff on Chinese imports is approximately 27% -- roughly 8x the average US tariff on imports from other countries. This guide compares rates across 30+ product categories.

This guide compares actual duty rates, explains why the three markets diverge, and provides the data you need to calculate landed costs before committing to a purchase order.

Why Do US, EU, and UK Tariffs on China Differ So Much?

The three jurisdictions approach Chinese imports with fundamentally different trade policy frameworks. Understanding these structural differences explains why the same product from the same Chinese factory lands at vastly different costs depending on the destination.

The United States applies multiple layers of punitive tariffs on Chinese goods. Section 301 tariffs (7.5%--100%) cover approximately $370 billion in annual Chinese imports. Section 232 tariffs (50%) apply to steel and aluminum from all countries, including China. The temporary Section 122 global tariff (10%) adds another layer. These surcharges stack additively on top of the base MFN rate.

For a detailed breakdown, see our guide to US tariffs on China in 2026.

The European Union does not impose broad-based punitive tariffs on China. Instead, the EU applies its standard Common External Tariff (MFN rates) to Chinese goods, supplemented by targeted trade defense instruments:

• Anti-dumping duties on specific products where Chinese producers sell below fair market value
• Countervailing duties on subsidized imports
• Provisional anti-subsidy duties on Chinese electric vehicles (17.4%--38.1% depending on manufacturer, introduced July 2024)

The EU's approach is product-specific rather than country-wide.

The United Kingdom applies its UK Global Tariff, which largely mirrors the EU's MFN rates for most product categories but with some divergence post-Brexit. The UK has no equivalent to Section 301 tariffs. UK-specific anti-dumping duties apply to a smaller set of Chinese products than the EU's trade defense measures. The UK is also a member of CPTPP (since December 2024), creating preferential access for goods originating in member countries.

How Do Duty Rates Compare Across 30+ Product Categories?

The following table shows the total effective duty rate for importing goods from China into each market. US rates include MFN + Section 301 + Section 122 where applicable. EU and UK rates include MFN + anti-dumping/anti-subsidy duties where applicable.

Product Category	HS Code	US Total	EU Rate	UK Rate
Laptops	8471.30	17.5%	0%	0%
T-shirts (cotton)	6109.10	49.0%	12%	12%
Toys	9503.00	17.5%	4.7%	4.7%
Insulated cables	8544.49	38.4%	3.3%	3.3%
Upholstered seats	9401.61	35.0%	0%	0%
Smartphones	8517.13	17.5%	0%	0%
Monitors	8528.52	22.5%	14%	14%
Steel plates (hot-rolled)	7208.51	75.0%	25.0%*	25.0%*
Aluminum bars	7604.29	60.0%	6%	6%
Lithium-ion batteries	8507.60	42.5%	2.5%	2.5%
Solar panels	8541.40	60.0%	0% + AD	0%
Electric vehicles	8703.80	112.5%	10% + AS	6.5%
Semiconductors	8542.31	60.0%	0%	0%
Ceramic tableware	6911.10	36.0%	15.1% + AD	12%
Footwear (rubber sole)	6402.99	47.5%	16.9% + AD	12%
Polyester fabric	5407.61	22.3%	8%	8%
Furniture (wooden)	9403.60	35.0%	0%	0%
LED lighting	9405.42	38.4%	4.7%	4.7%
Printed circuit boards	8534.00	38.4%	0%	0%
Handbags (leather)	4202.21	28.0%	3%	3%
Bicycle parts	8714.99	45.0%	48.5%*	6%
Tires (passenger car)	4011.10	42.0%	4.5%	4.5%
Stainless steel fasteners	7318.15	80.0%	27.4%*	6.5%
Rubber gloves (medical)	4015.12	110.0%	2.5%	0%
Pet food	2309.10	15.0%	9.6%	0%
Plastic containers	3923.30	38.4%	6.5%	6.5%
Paper (printing)	4802.55	10.0%	0%	0%
Glass bottles	7010.90	43.4%	3.2%	3.2%
Ceramic tiles	6907.21	38.4%	4.5% + AD	4.5%
Power tools	8467.21	17.5%	2.7%	2.7%
Hair dryers	8516.31	38.4%	3.2%	3.2%

Includes anti-dumping or anti-subsidy duties where applicable. AD = anti-dumping duty; AS = anti-subsidy duty. Rates marked with * include trade defense surcharges.

Key patterns in the rate comparison

For 26 of the 31 categories listed above, the US rate is at least double the EU and UK rate. For 18 categories, the US rate is three times higher or more. The gap is most extreme for products subject to both Section 301 and Section 232 duties, such as steel and aluminum products.

Use the HSRates Duty Calculator to check the current rate for any specific HS code across all three markets.

How Do Section 301 Tariffs Affect the US-China Comparison?

Section 301 tariffs are the single most important factor explaining why US duty rates on Chinese goods are typically two to ten times higher than equivalent EU or UK rates for the same products. These tariffs are the primary driver of the gap between US and EU/UK duty rates on Chinese imports, according to analysis published by the Tax Foundation and the Atlantic Council tariff tracker. Without Section 301, most US MFN rates would be comparable to or lower than EU rates. With Section 301, the US rate on Chinese goods is typically 2x to 10x higher than the EU equivalent.

How Are Section 301 Tariffs Structured Across the Four Lists?

Section 301 tariffs apply to approximately 65% of all US imports from China, covering $370 billion in annual trade. They were imposed in four lists between 2018 and 2019, with strategic sector increases added in 2024 and 2025:

Section 301 List	Base Rate	Coverage	Key Products
List 1	25%	$34B (818 HTS lines)	Industrial machinery (Chapter 84), medical devices
List 2	25%	$16B (279 HTS lines)	Semiconductors, chemicals, plastics
List 3	25%	$200B (5,733 HTS lines)	Consumer electronics, furniture, lighting, auto parts
List 4A	7.5%	$120B (3,243 HTS lines)	Apparel, footwear, toys, consumer goods
Strategic sectors	25%--100%	Targeted HTS codes	EVs (100%), solar (50%), semiconductors (50%), batteries (25%)

Neither the EU nor the UK has an equivalent to Section 301. This single policy difference accounts for the vast majority of the rate gap in the comparison table above.

"Section 301 tariffs have fundamentally changed the economics of importing from China to the United States. What used to be a straightforward cost advantage has become a complex calculation of surcharges, exclusions, and alternative sourcing." -- Mary Lovely, Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics

For a complete breakdown of Section 301 rates and how they interact with other tariff layers, see our Section 301 vs. 232 vs. IEEPA comparison guide.

What Anti-Dumping and Anti-Subsidy Duties Apply in the EU and UK?

Although the EU and UK lack anything equivalent to the broad-based Section 301 surcharges that the US applies to Chinese goods, both jurisdictions maintain significant product-specific trade defense measures that can add 15% to 70% on top of base MFN rates for targeted categories. While the EU and UK do not impose broad punitive tariffs on China, both jurisdictions apply targeted trade defense measures on specific products where investigations confirm that Chinese exporters are dumping (selling below fair value) or receiving unfair government subsidies.

EU anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on Chinese goods

The European Commission maintains approximately 90 active anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, of which roughly one-third target Chinese products. Key sectors include:

Product	EU AD/AS Rate	HS Chapter	Duration
Hot-rolled steel	18.1%--35.9%	Chapter 72	Extended to 2029
Stainless steel fasteners	21.2%--27.4%	Chapter 73	Extended to 2027
Ceramic tableware	13.1%--36.1%	Chapter 69	Extended to 2028
Bicycle parts	48.5% (extended measures)	Chapter 87	Extended to 2026
Solar panels	Under review (registration duty)	Chapter 85	Provisional measures expired, new investigation pending
Electric vehicles	17.4%--38.1% (anti-subsidy)	Chapter 87	Provisional since Jul 2024, final ruling expected 2026
Footwear (leather)	Up to 16.5%	Chapter 64	Extended
Ceramic tiles	30.6%--69.7%	Chapter 69	Extended to 2025, review pending

The EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles is the most significant recent trade defense action. Provisional duties range from 17.4% for BYD to 38.1% for SAIC, with a weighted average of approximately 21% for other Chinese EV manufacturers.

UK anti-dumping measures on Chinese goods

The UK Trade Remedies Authority (UKTRA) inherited many EU anti-dumping measures post-Brexit and has since conducted its own reviews. The UK currently maintains approximately 15 measures targeting Chinese products, focused primarily on steel products, ceramics, and certain chemicals. UK anti-dumping rates on Chinese goods are generally lower than EU equivalents because UKTRA applies a different injury margin methodology.

How Does the IEEPA Ruling Change the Comparison?

The Supreme Court's February 20, 2026, ruling in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump fundamentally altered the US tariff landscape for Chinese imports by striking down all IEEPA-based tariffs. This included the "reciprocal" tariffs (which had peaked at 145% before the Geneva truce reduced them to 10%) and the 20% "fentanyl" tariffs.

Before the ruling, the total US tariff on most Chinese consumer goods reached approximately 45%--55% (MFN + Section 301 + IEEPA fentanyl + IEEPA reciprocal). After the ruling, these same goods face approximately 17.5%--38.4% (MFN + Section 301 + Section 122).

Tariff Scenario	Laptops (8471.30)	T-shirts (6109.10)	Toys (9503.00)
Pre-ruling US total	~47.5%	~79.0%	~47.5%
Post-ruling US total	~17.5%	~49.0%	~17.5%
EU rate	0%	12%	4.7%
UK rate	0%	12%	4.7%

The ruling significantly narrowed the US-EU/UK gap but did not eliminate it. Section 301 tariffs remain fully in force, keeping US rates on Chinese goods substantially above EU and UK levels for most product categories.

According to the Tax Foundation, the temporary 10% Section 122 global tariff signed on the same day as the Supreme Court ruling applies to imports from all countries, not just China. It expires around July 24, 2026, unless Congress extends it.

See our guide to US reciprocal tariffs by country for the full breakdown.

How Should Importers Use This Data for Sourcing Decisions?

The duty rate differential between the US and EU/UK creates several actionable strategies for businesses importing from China, particularly for those selling the same products across multiple markets where the landed cost gap between jurisdictions can determine sourcing viability.

Multi-market landed cost analysis. If you sell the same product in multiple markets, the duty differential may make it profitable to ship from China to EU/UK markets but unprofitable to ship the same product to the US. Run the numbers per market using the HSRates Duty Calculator before committing to purchase orders.

Supply chain diversification. For US-bound goods facing high Section 301 rates, consider whether the product can be sourced from a country that does not carry Section 301 surcharges. Vietnam, India, Thailand, and Mexico are common alternatives, though each has its own duty rate profile and rules of origin requirements. The IEEPA reciprocal tariff rates on these countries are now void, but base MFN rates and any applicable AD/CVD orders still apply.

Tariff engineering. Some products can be legitimately reclassified to a different HS code with a lower duty rate by modifying the product's composition, function, or packaging. For example, a garment with a different fiber blend may fall under a different tariff heading with a lower Section 301 rate. Read our HS code classification guide before attempting reclassification.

What Are the Most Effective Duty Reduction Strategies?

UK as a re-export hub. The UK's combination of relatively low MFN rates and CPTPP membership makes it a potential staging point for goods destined for CPTPP member markets. However, rules of origin requirements mean that simply transshipping through the UK does not confer CPTPP preferential treatment -- substantial transformation must occur.

Key takeaway: the most effective duty reduction strategies for China-sourced goods include:

1. Run per-market landed cost analysis -- the same product may be profitable for EU/UK import but unprofitable for US import due to Section 301 surcharges
2. Diversify sourcing to non-301 countries -- Vietnam, India, Thailand, and Mexico are common alternatives, each with different MFN rate profiles
3. Explore tariff engineering -- product modifications that shift the HS classification can eliminate Section 301 exposure for specific HTS codes
4. Leverage FTAs -- USMCA (US), EU FTA network (EU), and CPTPP (UK) offer duty-free or reduced rates from qualifying origin countries
5. Use Foreign Trade Zones -- import components at lower duty rates and assemble domestically

"The importers who are navigating this environment successfully are the ones treating tariff analysis as a supply chain design exercise, not an afterthought. You have to model landed cost by market, by origin, and by HS code before you place a single purchase order." -- Beth Pride, Founder and President, BPE Global; licensed customs broker

What Are the Hidden Costs Beyond the Headline Duty Rate?

Beyond the headline duty rate, importers face a range of additional costs -- including customs valuation methodology differences, import VAT, processing fees, and brokerage charges -- that vary significantly across the US, EU, and UK and can add 15% to 30% to the total landed cost. The duty rate comparison table above captures the customs tariff only, but importers face several additional costs that vary significantly across the three jurisdictions. The total landed cost includes additional charges that vary by jurisdiction:

Cost Component	US	EU	UK
Customs valuation basis	FOB	CIF	CIF
Import VAT/tax at border	None (federal)	16%--27% (by member state)	20%
Merchandise Processing Fee	0.3464% (capped at $651.50)	None	None
Harbor Maintenance Fee	0.125% (ocean only)	None	None
VAT reclaimable?	N/A	Yes (if VAT-registered)	Yes (if VAT-registered)
Customs brokerage	$125--$175	EUR 50--150	GBP 50--150

The EU and UK charge import VAT on the CIF value plus duty, which can add 16%--27% to the import cost. For VAT-registered businesses, import VAT is reclaimable and therefore a cash flow issue rather than a true cost. For non-registered importers and direct-to-consumer e-commerce sellers, import VAT is a hard cost that must be factored into pricing.

How Do Trade Agreements Offer Alternatives to China Sourcing?

For importers facing high US tariffs on Chinese goods, free trade agreements provide duty-free or reduced-rate access from alternative sourcing countries, and each of the three jurisdictions maintains a different FTA network that creates distinct advantages depending on the origin of goods:

Agreement	Key Members	US Benefit	EU Benefit	UK Benefit
USMCA	US, Canada, Mexico	Duty-free on qualifying goods	N/A	N/A
EU FTA network	40+ countries	N/A	0% on qualifying goods	N/A
UK CPTPP	12 Asia-Pacific nations	N/A	N/A	Preferential rates
US-Korea FTA	South Korea	Duty-free on most goods	N/A	N/A
EU-Vietnam FTA	Vietnam	N/A	0% (phased in by 2030)	N/A

For businesses currently paying 35%+ US tariffs on Chinese furniture, for example, USMCA-qualifying furniture from Mexico enters at 0%. For electronics importers, Vietnam's EU FTA provides duty-free access for EU-bound goods that would face standard MFN rates from China.

Learn more about Incoterms and their impact on landed cost when structuring shipments from alternative sourcing countries.

Key Takeaways

• US tariffs on Chinese goods are the highest of the three markets, with combined rates ranging from 10% to over 112% depending on the product category.
• The EU and UK apply standard MFN rates without broad punitive surcharges, though sector-specific anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties apply on steel, solar panels, electric vehicles, and certain chemicals.
• The same HS code can produce a 5x difference in duty between the US and EU -- importers sourcing from China for multiple markets must calculate landed cost per destination.
• Section 301 tariffs are the primary driver of the gap, covering approximately 65% of all US imports from China at rates of 7.5%--100%.
• The bottom line: after the Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs, US rates dropped significantly but remain far above EU and UK levels due to Section 301 and Section 232 duties.

Summary and Next Steps

The bottom line: The same product shipped from the same Chinese factory faces dramatically different duty rates depending on whether it enters the US, EU, or UK. The trade-weighted average US tariff on Chinese imports is approximately 27% -- roughly 8x the average US tariff on imports from other countries -- while the EU and UK apply standard MFN rates without broad punitive surcharges.

• For 26 of the 31 product categories in this guide, the US rate is at least double the EU and UK rate; for 18 categories, it is three times higher or more.
• Section 301 tariffs covering approximately 65% of all US imports from China are the primary driver of this gap.
• In summary: importers sourcing from China for multiple markets must calculate landed cost per destination -- assumptions based on one market's rates will produce inaccurate margins for the others.

Use the HSRates duty calculator to check the current rate for any HS code across all three markets, and verify your classification with the HSRates HS Code Search.

FAQ

What is the average US tariff rate on Chinese imports in 2026?

After the Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs, the trade-weighted average US tariff on Chinese imports is approximately 27%, according to the Tax Foundation. This is significantly lower than the approximately 70% average during the peak IEEPA period but still roughly 8x the average US tariff on imports from other countries. The rate varies enormously by product -- from 10% on ITA-covered electronics to over 112% on electric vehicles.

Do EU and UK tariffs on Chinese goods include anti-dumping duties?

Some products are subject to anti-dumping or anti-subsidy duties in addition to the standard MFN rate. The EU maintains approximately 30 active measures targeting Chinese products, primarily in steel, ceramics, bicycles, footwear, and electric vehicles. The UK maintains a smaller set of approximately 15 measures. These duties are product-specific and do not apply across the board.

Can I avoid Section 301 tariffs by shipping through a third country?

No. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) determines the country of origin based on where the product was substantially transformed, not where it was last shipped from. Transshipping Chinese-origin goods through Vietnam, Malaysia, or any other country without substantial transformation is illegal evasion and carries severe penalties, including seizure, fines of up to 4x the duty owed, and potential criminal prosecution. CBP actively investigates transshipment fraud using trade data analytics.

How do I check if my specific product has anti-dumping duties in the EU?

Search the European Commission TARIC database using your 10-digit TARIC code. Anti-dumping duties appear as additional measures on top of the third-country (MFN) duty. You can also search by country of origin (China) to see all active measures. For UK-specific duties, check the UK Trade Tariff tool.

Are there any Chinese products that enter all three markets duty-free?

Yes. Products covered by the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) -- including laptops (HS 8471.30), semiconductors, and certain telecommunications equipment -- carry a 0% MFN rate in all three markets. However, US importers still face Section 301 tariffs on these goods (7.5%--50% depending on the product list), which effectively eliminates the ITA benefit for US imports from China.

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This guide reflects tariff rates as of February 21, 2026. Rates are subject to change due to trade negotiations, court rulings, and legislative action. For product-specific calculations, use the HSRates Duty Calculator and verify your HS classification with the HS Code Search.

Sources & References

USTR Section 301 Tariff Actions, Tax Foundation Trump Tariffs Tracker, Atlantic Council China Tariff Tracker, European Commission Trade Defense, UK Trade Remedies Authority, European Commission TARIC Database, UK Trade Tariff, Yale Budget Lab State of US Tariffs.