Merchandise Processing Fee

The Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) is a charge collected by U.S. Customs when you import goods into the United States. It covers the cost of processing and inspecting your shipments. Calculated based on the value of the imported goods, the fee typically applies to shipments valued over a certain threshold. The MPF is usually a small percentage of the item's value, with a minimum and maximum cap. It helps fund customs operations and ensure imported products meet safety and regulatory standards. Essentially, it's a duty for the customs service to process and clear your merchandise at the border.