If you import a SEGMENsensor clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter into the EU, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan or most Asian markets, the import duty is 0% and you pay only local import VAT or GST. Into the United States, China-origin flow meters currently pay about 37.5% in Section 301 tariffs on top of a 0% base rate. Our quotations are FOB China, so duty and import VAT are paid by the buyer at import; we list the rates below so you can see your total landed cost before you order.
Import duty and VAT by country
The table shows the duty that applies to China-origin transit-time clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters (HS 9026.10) as of 22 October 2026. "Verified" means we checked the rate in the country's official tariff database or an official notice on that date. "Indicative" means the rate comes from the World Bank WITS tariff data or another secondary source and should be confirmed by your customs broker before you order.
| Country / region | Tariff code | Import duty (China origin) | Import VAT / GST | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 9026.10.20.40 | 0% base + 25% (Section 301 List 1) + 12.5% (Section 301, from 24 Jul 2026) ≈ 37.5% | No federal VAT (state sales tax may apply) | Merchandise processing fee 0.3464% (with a minimum and maximum per entry); harbor maintenance fee 0.125% for sea freight. De minimis exemption suspended: every shipment needs a customs entry. | Verified |
| European Union (e.g. Germany) | 9026 10 21 | 0% | 19% in Germany (17–27% by member state) | From 1 Jul 2026 the EU low-value exemption was replaced by a flat duty per item category on low-value parcels. | Verified |
| United Kingdom | 9026 10 21 00 | 0% | 20% | — | Verified |
| Australia | 9026.10.80 | 0% | GST 10% | ChAFTA certificate not needed for this code. | Verified |
| Canada | 9026.10.00 | 0% | GST 5% + provincial tax | — | Indicative |
| Japan | 9026.10 | 0% | 10% | — | Indicative |
| South Korea | 9026.10-1000 | 0% (with certificate of origin) | 10% | Send a China–Korea FTA or RCEP certificate of origin. | Indicative |
| New Zealand | 9026.10 | 0% | GST 15% | — | Indicative |
| Switzerland | 9026.10 | 0% | 8.1% | — | Indicative |
| India | 9026.10.10 | 0% | IGST 18% | — | Indicative |
| Singapore | 9026.10 | 0% | GST 9% | — | Indicative |
| Malaysia | 9026.10 | 0% | Sales tax 10% | — | Indicative |
| Thailand | 9026.10 | 0% | VAT 7% | Low-value exemption removed. | Indicative |
| Philippines | 9026.10 | 0% | VAT 12% | — | Indicative |
| Vietnam | 9026.10 | 0% (one source lists 5%) | VAT 8% (reduced rate to end of 2026) | Send a Form E or RCEP certificate of origin. | Indicative |
| Indonesia | 9026.10 | 5%; 0% with Form E / RCEP certificate | About 11% effective VAT | Import income tax 2.5–7.5% may also apply. | Indicative |
| United Arab Emirates | 9026.10 | 0% (GCC rate is commonly 5%; confirm) | VAT 5% | — | Indicative |
| Saudi Arabia | 9026.10 | 0% (GCC rate is commonly 5%; confirm) | VAT 15% | — | Indicative |
| South Africa | 9026.10 | 0% | VAT 15% | — | Indicative |
| Chile | 9026.10 | 6%; 0% with China–Chile FTA certificate | VAT 19% | Low-value exemption removed. | Indicative |
| Mexico, Brazil, Turkey | 9026.10 | Not confirmed — 2026 changes still being checked | Mexico 16%; Brazil and Turkey: several taxes apply | Ask your customs broker before ordering; we can supply all documents. | Not confirmed |
Rates change. This page is updated when we see a change in an official source, but your customs broker's classification and the rate on the day your goods clear customs are what count. This table is general information, not legal or customs advice.
How do I calculate the landed cost of a flow meter from China?
Add freight, insurance, duty and import VAT to the FOB value. Most countries charge VAT on the customs value plus duty. A simple way to estimate it (calculated values, not a quotation):
- Customs value = FOB value + freight + insurance (CIF). The United States uses the transaction value without international freight in most cases.
- Duty = customs value × duty rate from the table.
- Import VAT / GST = (customs value + duty) × VAT rate.
- Add your broker's clearance fee and, in the US, the merchandise processing fee.
Example per 100 units of customs value (calculated): in Germany, duty 0 and VAT 19 — total taxes 19, which a VAT-registered company can usually reclaim. In the United States, duty about 37.5 plus a processing fee of about 0.35 — total about 37.9, which cannot be reclaimed as VAT.
What documents do you provide for customs clearance?
With every shipment we send a commercial invoice and packing list showing the HS code 9026.10, the model numbers (U10, U10S, U10S PRO, U11, U12, U13 or U20), the country of origin (China) and the quantity. A certificate of origin — Form E (China–ASEAN), RCEP, China–Korea, China–Chile or ChAFTA — can be requested with your order and is confirmed with the quotation. Ask for it before shipment, because some countries accept it only at the time of import.
Does the portable U20 need special shipping because of its battery?
Yes. The U20 portable meter contains a 3000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, so it ships as UN3481 (lithium-ion batteries contained in or packed with equipment). Since 1 January 2026, IATA rules require lithium-ion batteries shipped by air with equipment to be at no more than 30% state of charge, and lithium batteries in transport must meet the UN38.3 test requirements. Tell us if you plan air freight so the shipment is prepared to these rules. The battery does not change the tariff code or the duty rate. Wall-mount and compact meters (U10, U11, U12, U13) have no battery and ship as general cargo.
Who pays import duty: SEGMENsensor or the buyer?
The buyer. We quote FOB China, which means our quotation covers the goods delivered on board at a port in China; international freight, insurance, import duty, import VAT and clearance fees are arranged by the buyer or the buyer's forwarder. Tell us the destination country when you ask for a quote so we can prepare the right documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
A clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter for liquids is classified under HS 9026.10. The national codes are 9026.10.20.40 in the United States, 9026 10 21 in the EU and UK, and 9026.10.80 in Australia. Spare transducers or cables shipped on their own may fall under a different code, so ask your broker if you import spare parts separately.
As of 22 October 2026, China-origin flow meters under HTS 9026.10.20 have a 0% base duty, a 25% Section 301 tariff (List 1) and a 12.5% Section 301 tariff that took effect on 24 July 2026, about 37.5% in total. A merchandise processing fee of 0.3464% applies to each formal entry. The IEEPA tariffs were struck down in February 2026 and are no longer collected.
No. The duty rate is 0% in the EU (9026 10 21), the UK (9026 10 21 00) and Australia (9026.10.80). Buyers pay import VAT or GST: 19% in Germany (17–27% across the EU), 20% in the UK and 10% GST in Australia. VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim it.
Yes, in countries that have a free trade agreement with China and a duty above 0% for this code, such as Indonesia (5%), Chile (6%) and Korea. Form E, RCEP, China–Korea, China–Chile or ChAFTA certificates can be requested with your order before shipment. In most other markets the duty is already 0%.
Our standard quotation is FOB China, and the buyer arranges freight and import clearance. If you need a delivered quotation, tell us the destination and delivery address when you request a quote, and we will confirm the available shipping options with the quotation.