VAT and import tax in United States (2026)
For cross-border sellers shipping into United States
No federal VAT (state sales tax 0-10%)
de minimis eliminated — formal entry per parcel ~$50-150
When you must register
Goods held in-country. If you store inventory in a local warehouse or fulfilment
centre, registration is normally required regardless of your sales volume.
B2C distance sales. Cross-border B2C sales usually trigger registration once you
pass the destination's threshold, or immediately in some countries.
Marketplace rules. Many marketplaces collect and remit VAT on your behalf for
low-value B2C imports — check whether you still have a filing obligation.
Typical monthly workflow
| Step | What to do |
|---|
| 1 | Pull gross sales by destination country |
| 2 | Separate VAT collected vs. VAT payable on imports |
| 3 | File the return before the local deadline (penalties are usually automatic) |
| 4 | Keep import VAT evidence — it is normally recoverable |
Know your true per-unit tax before you set priceThe Landed Cost Toolkit includes a VAT block that recalculates per unit for every destination you sell into.
Get the Excel toolkit →
Related pages