This is not a price list. It rebuilds one shipment line by line — goods, freight, insurance, duty, additional measures, import tax and local charges — so you can see which line drives the total. For context, this product family carries a planning duty band of 0%–2.5% into the US. The sample below holds the product, condition and origin constant and compares three borders.
The worked sample
500 new auto parts moving from China with $25,000 FOB value. Each line is modelled separately, so you can see where the money goes.
China → the US · new auto parts · 500 units
| Cost line | Amount | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| FOB goods value | $25,000 | User provided |
| International freight (FCL 40ft) | $3,350 | Estimated |
| Cargo insurance | $128 | Estimated |
| Customs duty (2.5% × CIF) | $712 | Rule-based |
| Additional measures | $7,119 | Rule-based |
| Import VAT / GST (0%) | $0 | Rule-based |
| Statutory fees | $134 | Rule-based |
| Clearance, port, inland, docs | $1,130 | Estimated |
| Estimated landed total | $37,573 | $75 / unit |
Sample generated with engine 2026.11.1 and data reviewed 2026-11-01. It is not a quote, a classification or a customs ruling.
Same goods, three borders
Duty, import tax and additional measures differ by destination even when the goods and origin do not. This is the comparison to run before choosing an entry point.
| Border | Duty band | VAT / GST | Additional measure | Sample landed | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | 0%–2.5% | None | Section 301 tariff (China-origin) | $37,573 | $75 |
| UAE | 5% | 5% | None modelled | $30,851 | $62 |
| Saudi Arabia | 5% | 15% | None modelled | $34,295 | $69 |
All three runs use the same goods value, quantity, packing density and sea mode. A real shipment will diverge on compliance, freight and local delivery.
What moves this number
- Part-level classification
- OEM versus aftermarket value
- Material-based duty lines
- Origin and additional measures
- Regulated safety approvals
Vehicle parts often depend on the vehicle type and the part's function. Tyres and safety glass have their own lines. Safety-critical parts may need conformity evidence. Used parts can face admissibility restrictions.
Industry-specific parameters to set
These are the fields that change a auto parts estimate. Set them in the calculator rather than applying a generic average.
| Parameter | Set it to | Why it moves the landed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Part number and fitment | OEM number, vehicle application, function | Each functional family can sit in a different HS line. A single shipment of mixed parts may need several entry lines. |
| OEM or aftermarket | Genuine, equivalent or performance | Brand and provenance affect transaction value and the evidence you need to support it. |
| Material composition | Steel, aluminium, rubber, plastics, electronics | Material often decides the chapter: rubber, steel articles and electrical parts are classified differently. |
| Origin | Country of manufacture per part | Origin can trigger additional measures. Mixed-origin shipments need the origin marked per line, not per container. |
| Tyres and safety parts | DOT, ECE or SASO approval where applicable | Regulated safety parts carry approval requirements that are separate from duty and can stop a shipment. |
| Density and palletisation | Weight, volume, carton count | Dense parts are cheap to ship; bulky body panels are not. Consolidating mixed parts changes the freight per unit. |
Parameter effects are explained qualitatively; no rate is invented for a product line the data does not support. Run the estimate with your own values before committing to a DDP price.
Common questions
What does it cost to import auto parts?
The sample imports 500 new auto parts with a 25,000 USD FOB value from China to the United States. Expected landed cost is $37,573, or $75 per part, before safety approvals.
Do all auto parts get the same duty rate?
No. Duty follows the HS line, and the line follows the part and its material. A rubber seal, a steel bracket and an electronic sensor can sit in three different chapters.
How do I handle a mixed shipment?
Declare each functional family on its own line with quantity and value. Keep the part numbers and material descriptions on the commercial invoice.
Does Section 301 apply to auto parts?
China-origin parts can attract additional measures depending on the HTS line. The model applies a planning estimate where it is defined, and flags it separately from duty.
What is usually excluded from a DDP quote?
Safety and emissions approvals, testing and any recall liability. These sit with the importer even when a seller quotes DDP.
Related cost files
Planning estimates only. Duty and tax outcomes depend on the exact HS line, origin, customs valuation, origin rules and measures in force on the date of entry. FOBtoDDP is not a customs broker, freight forwarder or legal adviser. Confirm with a licensed broker before contracting.