Tariffs API vs Global-e.
Global-e is an enterprise cross-border platform for established brands. We're the duty calculation API for the developer at the keyboard.
Global-e serves 1,500+ enterprise and growth-stage DTC brands with a managed cross-border platform: localization, payment processing, international logistics, market intelligence. They acquired Flow Commerce. If you're a brand running international fulfillment end-to-end and want a managed partner, they're a serious option. If you just need the duty rate at checkout, this page is for you.
Tariffs API vs Global-e
| Feature | Tariffs API | Global-e |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $199/month, public | Not disclosed; demo-led |
| Per Global-e's website (accessed 2026-05-14): two tiers (PRO for emerging brands, ENTERPRISE for high-volume) with no public pricing; primary CTA is "Request Demo." | ||
| Self-serve signup | Yes, 14-day free trial | Demo-led across both PRO and ENTERPRISE tiers |
| Product scope | US duty + tariff calculation | Full platform: localization, payment, logistics, market intelligence |
| Target customer | Developers integrating duty at checkout | 1,500+ DTC brands (PRO for emerging, ENTERPRISE for high-volume) |
| Integration model | REST API; integrate anywhere | Managed platform integration with dedicated success team |
| Time to first call | Under 10 minutes | Demo + onboarding + integration cycle |
When Global-e is the right pick
- →You're a DTC brand evaluating a managed end-to-end cross-border platform — localization, payments, logistics, market analytics.
- →You have the volume and the budget for an enterprise vendor with a dedicated success team.
- →You're consolidating multiple cross-border tools into one managed partner.
When Tariffs API is the right pick
- ✓You need duty calculation at checkout, not a full international ecommerce platform.
- ✓Your team is buying APIs on docs quality and time-to-first-call, not on RFPs and demos.
- ✓Your stack is best-of-breed — you'll pick a separate vendor for shipping, fraud, and localization.
- ✓You want public pricing and want to ship the feature this week.
One endpoint. Deterministic JSON.
GET /api/v1/tariffs/resolve?hts=8541.10.00.80&origin=CN returns the base duty plus every applicable Chapter 99 measure (Section 301, 232, IEEPA), a confidence score, and attempted candidates. Drop it into your checkout, quote flow, or ERP. REST + JSON, no SDK required.
GET /api/v1/tariffs/resolve?hts=8541.10.00.80&origin=CN
{
"summary": {
"applicable_ad_valorem_rate": 0.0,
"resolved_additional_ad_valorem_rate": 25.0,
"total_resolved_ad_valorem_rate": 25.0
},
"base_tariff": { "percentage_component": 0.0 },
"additional_measures": [
{
"program": "section_301",
"chapter_99_code": "9903.91.05",
"resolved_rate": { "percentage_component": 0.25 }
}
]
}Switching from Global-e
Can I use Tariffs API alongside Global-e?
Yes. Global-e handles your end-to-end cross-border operations; Tariffs API can serve duty calculations into pre-checkout flows, marketplace listings, or internal tools where you need the rate before a Global-e shipment is created.
Doesn't Global-e include duty calculation in their platform?
Yes, as part of their broader cross-border suite. Tariffs API is for teams who want just the duty number, separately, surfaced via REST. Useful for custom checkouts, ERPs, marketplaces, and quoting tools that don't run on Global-e's stack.
Is Tariffs API cheaper than Global-e?
Global-e doesn't publish pricing, so a head-to-head dollar comparison isn't possible. We publish $199/month flat, 100,000 API calls included, no contract. Cancel any time.
- Global-e homepage · accessed 2026-05-14