Shipping & Import Duties
Last Updated: July 2026
1. How Are Shipping and Duties Calculated?
All Atlas PCB orders ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) via DHL Express. Import duties and taxes are calculated at checkout based on your shipping destination and PCB type, then included in your total. You will never be asked to pay anything additional upon delivery.
Pricing Formula
| Component | Formula |
|---|---|
| Base Shipping | DHL tiered weight-based rate (Zone 6 + fuel surcharge) |
| Import Duty | (Product Cost + Base Shipping) × country-specific duty rate |
| VAT / Tax | (Product Cost + Base Shipping + Duty) × country-specific VAT rate |
| Brokerage | max((Duty + VAT) × 2%, ¥150) converted to USD |
| Total Shipping | Base Shipping + Brokerage |
| You Pay | Product Cost + Duty + VAT + Total Shipping |
2. Duty & Tax Rates by Destination
Rates are automatically applied based on your shipping address:
| Destination | Duty Rate | VAT/Tax | Effective Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (complex PCB: 6+ layers, HDI, Rogers, PTFE/Teflon, ceramic, flex) | 35% | 0% | ~35% |
| US (simple PCB: 2-layer & 4-layer FR-4, glass base) | 10% | 0% | ~10% |
| EU (Germany, France, etc.) | 2.6% | ~22% | ~25% |
| UK | 2.7% | 20% | ~23% |
| India | 7.5% | 18% | ~27% |
| Canada | 0% | 5% | ~5% |
| Japan | 0% | 10% | ~10% |
| South Korea | 0% | 10% | ~10% |
| Australia | 0% | 10% | ~10% |
For countries not listed above, we apply a conservative estimate (5% duty + 15% VAT). The DDP guarantee still applies — you pay only what’s shown at checkout.
How U.S. Rates Are Composed
U.S. import duties on China-origin PCBs (HTS 8534.00.00) are a layered tariff stack, not a single flat rate:
| Layer | Complex PCB (6L+, HDI, Rogers, PTFE/Teflon, ceramic, Flex) | Simple PCB (2L/4L FR-4) |
|---|---|---|
| Base MFN rate (HTS 8534.00.00) | Free (0%) | Free (0%) |
| Section 301 surcharge | 25% (HTS 9903.88.03) | 0% — exclusion active (HTS 9903.88.69) |
| Section 122 global surcharge | 10% | 10% |
| Total current duty | 35% | 10% |
⚠️ Two upcoming changes that may affect your order:
- July 24, 2026 — The Section 122 global 10% surcharge is scheduled to expire. If not extended, the complex PCB rate drops to 25% and simple PCB rate drops to 0%.
- November 10, 2026 — The Section 301 exclusion for 2-layer and 4-layer FR-4 PCBs (HTS 9903.88.69) is scheduled to expire. If not renewed, simple PCB duties will jump from 10% to 35% (25% Section 301 + 10% Section 122, if still active). We recommend customers planning large Q4 orders factor this in.
We update this page when policy changes are confirmed. Check back regularly or contact us for the latest.
3. Shipping Rate Reference
Shipping is calculated using DHL Express tiered pricing (Zone 6 + 47% fuel surcharge). Here are some example rates:
| Weight | Approx. Shipping (USD) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 kg | ~$34 |
| 1.0 kg | ~$45 |
| 2.0 kg | ~$67 |
| 5.0 kg | ~$132 |
| 10.0 kg | ~$239 |
| 20.0 kg | ~$442 |
| 30.0 kg | ~$352 |
Rates are tiered by 0.5 kg increments. 30+ kg: $11.96/kg. Exact cost is calculated at checkout.
4. Example Calculations
Example 1: Complex PCB to US
8-layer HDI PCB, $1,500 product cost, 2.0 kg estimated weight
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Shipping (2.0 kg DHL Zone 6) | $67.38 |
| Import Duty (($1,500 + $67.38) × 35%) | $548.58 |
| VAT (US: 0%) | $0.00 |
| Brokerage (max($548.58 × 2%, ¥150/7.2)) | $20.83 |
| Total Shipping ($67.38 + $20.83) | $88.21 |
| Checkout Total | $2,136.79 |
Example 2: Simple PCB to Germany
2-layer FR-4, $200 product cost, 0.5 kg estimated weight
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Shipping (0.5 kg DHL Zone 6) | $34.02 |
| Import Duty (($200 + $34.02) × 2.6%) | $6.08 |
| VAT (($200 + $34.02 + $6.08) × 22%) | $52.82 |
| Brokerage (max(($6.08+$52.82) × 2%, ¥150/7.2)) | $20.83 |
| Total Shipping ($34.02 + $20.83) | $54.85 |
| Checkout Total | $313.75 |
5. Shipping Details
- Carrier: DHL Express (worldwide)
- Transit time: 3–5 business days
- Rate: DHL Zone 6 tiered pricing + 47% fuel surcharge
- Packaging surcharge: +$2 for orders over 5 kg
- Tracking: Full tracking provided via DHL
Weight Estimation
Board weight is estimated from dimensions:
Weight = Area(cm²) × Thickness(cm) × 1.85 g/cm³ × 1.15 (packaging factor) × Quantity + 200g (box)Layer count does not affect weight — a 4-layer 1.6mm board weighs the same as a 2-layer 1.6mm board.
6. DDP — No Surprises
Under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms:
- All duties and taxes are pre-paid
- No customs paperwork for you
- No surprise charges at delivery
- No action needed on your part
- Package delivered directly to your door
7. U.S. Customers: EIN or SSN Required for Customs Clearance
For all shipments to the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) to clear imports valued above $250.
What you need to provide at checkout:
| Customer Type | Required ID | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Business / Company | EIN (Tax ID) | You already have one if your company files U.S. taxes |
| Individual / Hobbyist | SSN | Your personal Social Security Number |
Why is this required?
DHL uses this number to file the customs entry on your behalf as your agent (Importer of Record). Without a valid EIN or SSN, U.S. Customs will hold the shipment and request the information before release — causing delays of 3-7 business days.
Important notes:
- Your EIN/SSN is submitted directly to CBP through DHL’s secure customs filing system — AtlasPCB does not store this information
- This requirement applies to all imports from any country, not just China
- If you have a CBP-assigned number (for frequent importers), you can use that instead
- Canadian, EU, and other international customers do not need to provide this
Acceptable EIN/SSN Proof Documents
DHL requires one of the following documents to verify your IRS number:
- IRS Form 147C (EIN Verification Letter)
- IRS Form SS-4 Confirmation Letter (the letter received FROM the IRS, not the application you sent)
- IRS Automatic Online EIN Confirmation Page
- Form 1040, 1065, 1120, or 1120-S (front page only — financial details not needed)
- Form 941 or 941-V
- W-2 (showing your EIN)
- CBP Form 301 (Continuous Bond)
- For SSN: legible copy of front and back of Social Security Card, or top portion of Form 1040
Not accepted: W-9, W-3, state forms, ADP filing statements, or SS-4 applications (only the IRS confirmation letter is valid).
8. DHL Power of Attorney (POA) Form
For first-time U.S. imports through DHL, you will need to sign a one-time Import Power of Attorney (POA) form. This authorizes DHL Express (USA), Inc. to act as your customs broker and file entries with CBP on your behalf.
Download DHL Import POA Form (PDF)
How to Complete the POA
| Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| (1) IRS# | Your EIN or SSN |
| (2) Nominal Consignee | Check “No” (you are the actual importer) |
| (3) Duty-Free claim | Check “No” (unless returning U.S.-origin goods) |
| (4) Category | Check “Corporation”, “Individual”, “Sole Proprietorship”, or “LLC” as applicable |
| (5) Full legal name | Your name or company name exactly as it appears on IRS records |
| (6) Business type | Same as (4) — “Corporation”, “Individual”, etc. |
| (7) State | State of incorporation or residence (foreign companies: enter country) |
| (8) Address | Full business address including street, city, state, zip |
| (9) Authorized signer | Name of person signing (must be a corporate officer, partner, or the individual named above) |
| (10) Signature | Sign here |
| (11) Title | Your title (e.g., “President”, “Owner”, “CEO”) |
| (12) Date | Date of signature (MM/DD/YYYY) |
For foreign (non-U.S.) companies: You must also complete the Non-Resident Certification section on page 2 of the POA form (fields 13-24). This requires a second company official to certify the signer’s authority.
When Do I Need to Submit This?
- First order only — the POA remains in effect until you revoke it in writing
- Submit the signed POA + EIN proof document to us before or at the time of your first order
- We forward it to DHL’s International Trade Affairs and Compliance (ITAC) department
- Subsequent orders ship without additional paperwork
8. What Documents Come With My Shipment?
Every shipment includes:
- Commercial Invoice (with declared value, HS code, origin country)
- Packing List (quantities, weights, descriptions)
- HS Code: 8534.00.00 (Printed Circuits) Source: USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule, Chapter 85 — HTS 2026 Revision 11
- Country of Origin: China
9. Can I Use My Own Customs Broker?
For standard orders, we ship DDP and handle everything. If you are a business customer and prefer to manage your own import clearance, please contact us before ordering.
Contact
Shipping or duty questions?
- Email: support@atlaspcb.com
- Response time: Within 24 hours