HTSBase vs Flexport Tariff Simulator
Importers who want a quick, free estimate of U.S. duty for an HTS code and origin, without an API.
What Flexport Tariff Simulator does
The Tariff Simulator estimates U.S. import duty from an HTS code, country of origin and shipment value, with each result broken down by tariff type. You can search by product name or keyword to find a code. Flexport says it updates within 48 hours of an official change and logs each change in a public changelog.
Signup: Free, no account for basic use. Up to 10 lookups without an account. Tariff Simulator Pro needs a Flexport account.
Published pricing
- Free: $0, 250 calls a month, no overage source, checked October 2026
- Starter: $29 a month, 2,000 calls, then $0.01 a call source, checked October 2026
- Growth: $99 a month, 15,000 calls, then $0.007 a call source, checked October 2026
- Scale: $199 a month, 50,000 calls, then $0.005 a call source, checked October 2026
One call returns classification, duty and landed cost for the U.S. or the EU.
Coverage
| Flexport Tariff Simulator | HTSBase | |
|---|---|---|
| Signup | Free, no account for basic use | Self-serve |
| U.S. import duty | Yes, U.S. imports only | Yes, base rate plus trade programs |
| EU duty and VAT | No, U.S. imports only | Yes, CN 2026 duty and import VAT |
| Classification from a product description | Keyword search to find a code; automatic classification not stated | Yes, in the same call as duty and landed cost |
| Chapter 99 stacking (Section 301, 232) | Results broken down by tariff type | Yes, Section 301 and 232 measures stacked and shown |
| EU EUR 3 per item duty (from July 1, 2026) | No, U.S. imports only | Yes |
| MCP server for AI agents | Not published | Yes, at /api/mcp |
"Not published" means we could not find it on Flexport Tariff Simulator's public pages in October 2026. It may still be available; ask Flexport Tariff Simulator.
When to choose Flexport Tariff Simulator instead
- You need a few U.S. duty estimates by hand and do not need an API.
- You already use Flexport as your forwarder or customs broker.
- You want PGA requirements and side-by-side origin comparisons in the Pro version.
When HTSBase fits
- You want to start free and pay by the month without talking to sales.
- You have product descriptions, not codes, and want the code, duty and landed cost from one call.
- You import into the U.S. and need Section 301 and 232 measures shown on top of the base rate.
- You sell into the EU and need the EUR 3 per item duty and import VAT in the estimate.
- You want an AI agent to call it through MCP.
Sources
- Flexport Tariff Simulator, checked October 2026
See our own numbers on the accuracy page and the status page.
250 free calls a month.
Classification, duty and landed cost for the U.S. and EU in one call.