tariff-watch_skill

Overview

This skill is a global landed-cost calculator for traders importing to the United States. It combines live USITC HTS tariffs, Section 232/301 and AD/CVD overlays, exchange rates, ocean freight, compliance flags (including UFLPA), and customs entry costs into a single per-unit landed-cost result. It supports 18+ origin countries and provides scheduled auto-refresh of critical data.

How this skill works

The skill auto-discovers the HTS rate from USITC and layers in statutory surcharges (Section 232 steel/aluminum, Section 301 for China) plus any matching AD/CVD "all others" rates. It pulls daily FX and shipping trends, simulates missing currency data when needed, and amortizes broker, ISF, bond, MPF and HMF into per-unit customs costs. Endpoints return an effective tariff breakdown, full landed-cost calculation, shipping route rates, FX impact, compliance mapping, and AD/CVD risk.

When to use it

• Estimating true landed cost per unit before negotiating supplier pricing or setting retail margins.
• Checking whether a product’s HTS triggers AD/CVD or UFLPA-related detention risk.
• Comparing shipping route cost and FX impact across origin countries for supplier selection.
• Preparing an import profitability model that includes tariffs, customs fees, and FBA/referral fees.
• Running compliance checks to identify agency certifications (CPSC, FDA, FCC, etc.) before shipment.

Best practices

• Start with the most specific HTS code you can; if uncertain, provide a 4- or 6-digit prefix for refinement.
• Use the comprehensive /landed-cost endpoint to combine tariff + FX + shipping + customs in one request.
• Verify AD/CVD exposure with a licensed customs broker when the skill flags high "all others" rates.
• Treat Section 122 advisory as a separate warning; it’s shown but not added to totals due to temporary status.
• Enable premium FX and freight API keys if you need sub-daily updates or carrier-quoted shipping rates.

Example use cases

• A US seller comparing landed cost from China vs Vietnam for a plastic consumer good, including FX swings.
• A buyer evaluating whether a lamp classified under a specific HTS will trigger Section 232 aluminum surcharges.
• A sourcing manager checking AD/CVD risk for aluminum extrusions before placing a bulk order.
• An Amazon seller calculating FBA profit per SKU with tariffs, customs fees, and shipping amortized per unit.
• A compliance lead generating agency mapping and UFLPA risk flags for apparel and textile imports.