How do I pay US customs duty?

Asked by: Ayden Emard  |  Last update: May 23, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (74 votes)

You pay U.S. Customs duty electronically via Pay.gov (ACH debit/credit, bank transfer) or eCBP for commercial entries, or with checks/money orders for personal imports; often, couriers or postal services handle it for you, sometimes including the cost upfront.

How do I pay customs duty in the USA?

Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) is an option available for paying certain duties, taxes, and fees electronically. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers two ACH payment options: Debit and Credit.

Can I pay US customs online?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is leveraging the U.S. Treasury's Pay.gov service to modernize payment processing and provide the public with an online bill payment option.

Can I pay my customs duty online?

Paying by debit or corporate credit card

You can make a full payment online using a debit or corporate credit card. There is a non-refundable fee if you use a corporate credit or debit card. You cannot pay by personal credit card.

How to pay custom duty payment online?

Customs Duty Payment Guide

  1. Visit to www.icegate.gov.in and click on Services tab.
  2. Click on 'E-Payment' option and select ICES/ECCS/ECL Top-up Payment.
  3. Enter the ICEGATE Login Credentials and navigate to 'ICEGATE Dashboard' page.
  4. Click on 'Services' Option, Select E- Payment and ECL Duty Payment.

U.S. Customs and Duty-Free Allowances: Everything You Need To Know

41 related questions found

How do I pay customs online?

Payments for customs and excise can be done through eFiling, Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT). Cash deposits to a SARS Customs and Excise bank account at any bank branch is no longer available as a payment option to SARS clients. Credit and/or debit cards can only be used for payment of duties and/or VAT for travellers.

How to pay customs payment?

Payments can be made via credit or debit cards by visiting bahrain.bh and selecting 'Pay Customs Fees and Taxes'. Users should then enter their Customs Declaration Numbers and Importer Identity Numbers.

Can I pay duty online?

You can pay duty and taxes online for any package that has a tracking number and can be tracked online, has been assessed for duty and taxes by the CBSA and is in transit with Canada Post but isn't out for delivery yet. Track your item on canadapost.ca/track or on the Canada Post mobile app.

What happens if I don't pay the customs fee?

If you don't pay customs, your package will be held, potentially returned to the sender, seized, auctioned, or destroyed, leading to loss of the item and purchase money, plus you might incur extra storage fees, penalties, and interest, with severe cases risking legal issues or blacklisting by carriers. The importer (you) is responsible for duties, and carriers like UPS and FedEx, DHL, and CBP will pursue you for unpaid charges, which can escalate to collections. 

Can you pre-pay customs fees?

If a package is subject to duty, the United States Postal Service will collect it from the addressee along with any postage and handling charges. The sender cannot prepay duty. The recipient must pay duty when a package is received in the United States.

Is there an app for US Customs?

Streamline your U.S. arrival

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is an official application created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that streamlines your CBP inspection process at select U.S. entry locations.

At what point do I pay customs?

These charges must be paid up front before the goods can be released into the DPD Network and for delivery. The customs duty and VAT are not included in the sale price unless stated by the shipper at point of sale. Please ensure that you are aware of the terms when buying.

Which goods are exempted from customs duty?

Items exempt from customs duty vary by country but generally include personal effects (used household goods, clothing), specific relief/aid goods (disaster relief, medical supplies), educational/cultural items, samples for trade shows, and sometimes low-value gifts or specific categories like certain machinery or basic groceries, often with conditions or value limits, like the U.S. $800 traveler exemption or de minimis rules for small packages (though these can change). 

Who pays US customs duties?

Despite the president's routine claims that foreigners pay them, U.S. Customs and Border Protection bills the U.S. importer directly. So it is the importer which pays the tariffs.

What are common import duty mistakes?

Mistake #1: Not Determining Your Customs Tariff Codes Correctly. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule determines the correct duty rate for your imported products. It is the foundation for your import compliance. Using the wrong code can mean you are underpaying or overpaying Customs duties and taxes.

How to pay US customs duty online?

Visit CBP's Pay.gov and eCBP webpages to pay for a variety of duties, taxes, fees, and other charges. Please visit the Basic Importing and Exporting webpage for payment transaction guidance.

What is the penalty for late payment of customs duty?

If payment is not made within 30 days, the existing penalty of 100% of duty evaded will continue. Penalty for offences not involving revenue loss revised to maximum of rupees 5000 from the existing range of Rs 1000 to Rs 2000.

When to pay customs fees?

Pay the duty and taxes (either online in advance of delivery or in person at the time of delivery) and request an adjustment after delivery by contacting the CBSA directly.

How can I pay custom duty online?

Visit www.icegate.gov.in, go to 'e-Payment' and enter BOE details. Verify duty details and click 'Pay Now'. Select YES BANK, click on Retail NetBanking, log in and complete your payment. Download the challan after payment confirmation.

Where do you pay customs duty?

If any duty is owed, CBP will charge a processing fee for clearing your package. Duty and the processing fee are usually paid at your local post office, where your package is forwarded.

How do I make a payment to customs?

Options for payments

  1. Payments via eFiling. ...
  2. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) ...
  3. Payments via SARS MobiApp. ...
  4. Foreign Payments.

How do I pay my customs charge?

The easiest way to pay a fee is online. Once we've received your payment, we will arrange for your item to be delivered. Alternatively, you can pay the charge and collect your item in person from the address on the front of the 'Fee to pay' card.

What happens if I don't pay customs duty?

Your goods can sit in a warehouse for up to six months

If you don't pay your tariffs within 15 days of arrival, your goods will be moved to a customs warehouse, where they can be held for up to six months.