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The Free Trade Agreement Savings Calculator computes the duty reduction available by importing goods under a preferential FTA rate instead of the standard MFN rate, helping businesses quantify the benefit of FTA utilization.
Formula
Annual Savings = Annual Import Value × (MFN Duty Rate - FTA Preferential Rate)
- V
- Import Value ($) — Annual value of imports eligible for FTA treatment
- MFN
- MFN Rate (%) — Standard most-favored-nation duty rate
- FTA
- FTA Rate (%) — Preferential duty rate under the free trade agreement
- CC
- Compliance Cost ($) — Annual cost of origin documentation and auditing
Guida passo passo
- 1Identify the applicable free trade agreement between origin and destination country
- 2Look up the MFN (standard) duty rate and the FTA preferential rate for your HTS code
- 3Multiply annual import value by the rate difference to calculate potential savings
- 4Factor in compliance costs (origin documentation, auditing, certificate of origin fees)
Esempi risolti
Ingresso
$5M annual imports from Korea, MFN rate 8%, KORUS FTA rate 0%
Risultato
Savings = $5,000,000 × (0.08 - 0.00) = $400,000/year
Ingresso
$2M from Mexico, MFN rate 12%, USMCA rate 0%, compliance cost $5K/year
Risultato
Gross savings = $240,000, Net savings = $235,000/year
Errori comuni da evitare
- ✕Not claiming FTA rates because origin documentation seems burdensome — leaving money on the table
- ✕Assuming FTA rates are automatic — you must claim them and have supporting documentation
- ✕Forgetting that FTA compliance costs (record-keeping, audits) reduce net savings
Domande frequenti
How many FTAs does the US have?
The US has 14 free trade agreements with 20 countries, including USMCA (Canada, Mexico), KORUS (South Korea), CAFTA-DR (Central America), and bilateral agreements with Australia, Singapore, Israel, and others.
What documentation is needed to claim FTA rates?
Typically a Certificate of Origin (or certification of origin under newer FTAs), supplier declarations, and records showing the product meets the rules of origin. You must retain records for 5 years.