Customs Duty Drawback Calculator — Export Duty Refund Estimator

Calculate your potential duty drawback refund for exported goods. US Customs allows 99% of duties paid to be refunded when imported goods are re-exported — a significant cash opportunity.

Quick answer: Duty drawback refunds 99% of duties paid on imported goods that are subsequently exported. On $500K annual duty paid with 30% re-export rate: potential refund of $148,500/year. Many companies never claim it.

💰 Customs Duty Drawback Calculator

Annual Duties Paid ($)

Re-Exported / Exported Product (%)

% of imported goods that are later exported (as-is or after manufacturing)

Drawback Type

Annual Drawback Filing Cost ($)

Customs broker/attorney fee for drawback claims

Documentation Completeness (%)

% of eligible exports with complete required records

Annual Net Drawback Value

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Maximum Drawback (99%)

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Realistic Drawback

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How to Use This Calculator

Enter annual duties paid — total CBP duties paid in the most recent 12 months.
Estimate re-export percentage — what % of imported goods are subsequently exported? Includes goods re-exported as-is, incorporated into manufactured products, or substitution drawback.
Enter documentation completeness — drawback requires linking import entries to export records. If records are incomplete, reduce this percentage.

Worked Example

$500K duties, 30% re-export, $25K filing cost, 80% documentation.

Eligible duty: $150,000
Max drawback (99%): $148,500
At 80% documentation: $118,800
Net: $93,800. ROI: 275%

Duty drawback is one of the most underutilised trade programs. Many importers/exporters leave millions on the table because they don't know it exists or assume the paperwork is too complex. A customs attorney or drawback specialist works on contingency — often 15–25% of recovered drawback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Under 19 USC 1313, CBP refunds 99% of duties paid on imported merchandise that is subsequently exported. Three main types: (1) Unused merchandise drawback — imported goods re-exported without substantial change. (2) Manufacturing drawback — imported materials used to make goods that are exported. (3) Substitution drawback — exported goods of the same kind as imported goods even if different units.

5 years from the date of importation. This means you can go back 5 years and file retroactive claims — a significant cash opportunity if you've been exporting without claiming drawback. Claims must be filed within 5 years of import date; export must occur within 5 years of import.