How to import servers to the USA: Section 301, MPF and clearance
Servers land duty-free under the HTS, but China-origin IT hardware carries Section 301 tariffs, and that is the number to model. Here is the tariff and fee picture, the compliance marks a US buyer expects, and the route from Dalian to a data-center corridor.
Duty, Section 301 and fees
Enterprise servers generally carry a 0% base duty under HTS 8471. The cost that matters is the Section 301 tariff on China-origin IT hardware, which is added on top and varies by the exact HTS line and changes over time, so classify the goods and check the current list before you commit.
On import you also pay the Merchandise Processing Fee (a small percentage with a per-entry minimum and cap). We quote the equipment landed cost and your customs broker confirms the exact tariff at entry.
- Base HTS duty: typically 0% on servers (HTS 8471).
- Section 301: applies to China-origin IT hardware, rate by HTS line.
- MPF on every entry.
- Compliance: FCC Part 15 (Class A) and UL/NRTL safety.
Delivery, clearance and compliance
We ship every server by air. Your forwarder flies the shipment to the USA and delivers it to your site, and door-to-door delivery takes 1–2 weeks.
You clear through CBP as the importer of record, which needs a customs bond (single-entry or continuous). Enterprise gear should meet FCC Part 15 Class A and carry UL/NRTL safety marks. Your forwarder or broker files the entry and settles duty, Section 301 and fees on DAP/DDP terms.
The import flow, step by step
We sell EXW Dalian. For a first import we help you appoint a forwarder and customs broker who book the air freight, export from China, clear CBP, and deliver to Ashburn, Dallas, Silicon Valley or wherever your floor is.
You see the landed cost, including the Section 301 tariff, before anything ships, so there are no surprises when the customs invoice lands.
- Send your spec. We reply within 1 hour during business hours (Mon–Fri 09:00–19:00 Beijing time, UTC+8) with an EXW Dalian quote.
- We assemble, burn-in 24–72 h, and issue export documents.
- Forwarder flies the shipment to the USA, clears CBP (Section 301 + MPF), delivers DAP/DDP.
- 1-year warranty with advance replacement: the part ships from Dalian before we receive the faulty one, RMA processed within 24 hours.
Questions
Do I pay duty on servers imported to the USA?
Base HTS duty on servers is usually 0%, but Section 301 tariffs on China-origin IT hardware apply on top and vary by HTS classification. You also pay the Merchandise Processing Fee per entry. We quote the full landed cost before you commit.
Who clears US customs?
We sell EXW Dalian and do not clear your customs ourselves. If you are new to importing, we help you appoint a freight forwarder and customs broker who file the CBP entry, post the bond, prepay tariffs and fees, and deliver DAP or DDP to your door.
How long does shipping from China to the USA take?
We ship every server by air, and the forwarder delivers door to door in 1–2 weeks. Your broker handles CBP clearance.