Tariffs API vs Passport.
Passport is a full cross-border platform for DTC brands. Tariffs API is just the duty calculation, exposed as a clean REST endpoint.
Passport (passportglobal.com) serves 1,300+ DTC brands with an end-to-end cross-border stack: shipping, compliance, localization, fulfillment, and tariff updates. If you're a mid-market or enterprise brand running international fulfillment, they're a known quantity. If you just need the duty number to show landed cost at checkout, you don't need their whole platform.
Tariffs API vs Passport
| Feature | Tariffs API | Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $199/month, public | Not disclosed; demo-led |
| Per Passport's marketing site (accessed 2026-05-14): no pricing displayed; primary CTA is "Request a Demo." | ||
| Self-serve signup | Yes, 14-day free trial | Demo-led; sales-driven onboarding |
| Product scope | US duty + tariff calculation API | Full platform: shipping, compliance, localization, fulfillment, tariff updates |
| Target customer | Developers integrating duty at checkout | Mid-market to enterprise DTC brands (1,300+ served, 8-figure global revenue) |
| Time to first call | Under 10 minutes | Demo cycle + platform onboarding |
| Integrations | REST API; integrate anywhere | Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, 3PL/TMS/WMS connectors |
When Passport is the right pick
- →You're a DTC brand evaluating a managed cross-border platform end-to-end — shipping, fulfillment, localization, and compliance under one vendor.
- →You want 3PL, TMS, and WMS integrations baked in alongside duty calculation.
- →You have a team and a budget to run a vendor evaluation and onboarding process.
When Tariffs API is the right pick
- ✓You need the duty rate at checkout — not a full international fulfillment platform.
- ✓You'd rather call a REST endpoint than connect to a 3PL/TMS/WMS suite.
- ✓You want to evaluate the product on the docs page, not on a demo call.
- ✓You're shipping a feature, not migrating a fulfillment stack.
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. Bulk endpoint accepts up to 200 codes per request. Drop the rate into your existing checkout.
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 Passport
Can I use Tariffs API alongside Passport?
Yes. If you already use Passport for shipping and fulfillment, you can still hit Tariffs API directly for duty calculations at quote, cart, or pre-checkout — useful for marketplaces, ERPs, or quoting tools where you need the rate before a shipment is created.
Does Tariffs API ship the package?
No. We don't ship, label, classify, or file customs entries. We return duty rates. For shipping and fulfillment, use a carrier or platform like Passport, Zonos, or Easyship.
Is Tariffs API cheaper than Passport?
Passport 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.
- Passport Global homepage · accessed 2026-05-14