Effective Duty Rate
3.9%–22.5% MFN; no additional surcharges
Estimate — verify by HTS code
Compliance Risk
Low
Relative to other import corridors
Regulatory Agencies
FDA, CPSC, EPA
Primary oversight bodies
OVERVIEW
Importing Glass Products, Glassware & Glass Articles from Germany
Importing glassware from Germany into the United States carries low compliance risk, with an effective duty rate of 3.9%–22.5% MFN; no additional surcharges. A Section 232 Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangement applies: steel and aluminum products within quota limits may enter at reduced or zero Section 232 duty, while above-quota imports face the full 25% surcharge.
Glassware imported from Germany to the United States is subject to CBP entry requirements, applicable HTS-based duty rates, and agency compliance clearances. This guide covers the complete import process for 2026.
⚠ Key Trade Intelligence — Germany Origin
Germany exports premium glassware (Schott, Nachtmann). Standard MFN rates. German glassware meets the highest FDA food-contact standards. No additional tariff surcharges.
SAMPLE LANDED COST — $50,000 SHIPMENT
Estimated Landed Cost: Glassware from Germany
Based on a representative $50,000 CIF shipment value. Actual costs vary by HTS code, entry type, and port of entry.
| Cost Component |
Amount |
Notes |
| Cargo Value (CIF) |
$50,000.00 |
Reference shipment value |
| MFN Base Duty (3.9%) |
$1,950.00 |
MFN column, Schedule B |
| Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%) |
$173.20 |
Min $31.67 / max $614.35 |
| Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%) |
$62.50 |
Ocean freight only |
| Total Duties & Fees |
$2,185.70 |
Effective rate: 4.4% |
| Estimated Landed Cost |
$52,185.70 |
Cargo + all US duties/fees |
⚠ Section 232 tariffs (25% steel / 10% aluminum) may apply to glassware sub-categories with significant steel or aluminum content. Not included above — verify by specific HTS code.
Excludes freight, insurance, broker fees, warehousing, and AD/CVD duties. Use the Duty Calculator for a precise estimate on your specific shipment.
APPLICABLE HTS CODES
HTS Codes for Glassware Imports
The following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes typically apply to glassware imports. Exact classification depends on the specific product — misclassification is one of the most common CBP compliance errors.
| HTS Code |
Product Description |
MFN Base Duty Rate |
| 7013 |
Glassware for Table, Kitchen, Toilet & Decorative Use |
3.9%–22.5% MFN |
| 7005 |
Float Glass & Polished Glass (sheets) |
2%–6.3% MFN |
| 7007 |
Safety Glass (tempered, laminated) |
5%–6.3% MFN |
| 7010 |
Glass Bottles, Jars & Containers |
0%–5.3% MFN |
| 7019 |
Glass Fibers (textiles, insulation, composites) |
0%–6.5% MFN |
MFN rates reflect base tariff. Additional duties (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD) may apply on top of MFN rates. Use the AI classifier to get the exact 10-digit HTS code and all applicable rates for your specific product.
DUTY STACK — GERMANY ORIGIN
Total Tariff Cost for Germany-Origin Glassware
| Duty Layer |
Rate / Status |
Applies To |
| MFN Base Rate |
Varies by HTS code |
All Germany-origin goods (baseline) |
| Section 301 |
Not applicable |
Germany-origin goods are not subject to Section 301 |
| Section 232 TRQ |
0% within quota; 25%/10% above |
Steel/aluminum within agreed quota volumes |
COMPLIANCE — FDA / CPSC / EPA
US Compliance Requirements for Glassware Imports
Regardless of origin country, glassware imports must satisfy the following US regulatory requirements before or at the time of CBP entry filing:
- FDA regulations on lead and cadmium release limits for glass food-contact articles (21 CFR 109.16) — lip and rim test for drinking glasses, extraction test for glass cookware
- CPSC safety standards for glass consumer products — safety glazing required for glass used in architectural applications, furniture, and consumer products
- EPA restrictions on lead-containing glass products sold for consumer use — California Prop 65 compliance especially strict for lead crystal and decorated glassware
- Country of origin marking required on all glass articles — must be etched, acid-stamped, or labeled before entry
Compliance Check Tool
Run an automated compliance check for your glassware import — identifies all applicable agency requirements, flagging issues before your shipment departs Germany.
Run Compliance Check →
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Documentation Checklist for Glassware from Germany
Prepare all documents before the shipment departs Germany. Missing or incorrect documents are the #1 cause of CBP holds and customs delays.
1
Commercial Invoice with glass type, dimensions, and intended end use
2
Packing List (fragile goods packaging documentation)
4
FDA food-contact compliance certificates (lead and cadmium extraction test results)
5
Country of Origin Declaration
6
CPSC compliance certificate (for consumer products)
ESTIMATED TIMELINE
Import Timeline — Glassware from Germany
20–40 days (ocean; requires careful freight handling); 5–10 days (air for high-value items)
Supplier Preparation
Allow 1–2 weeks for production documentation, certificates, and packing lists
Transit Time
10–16 days ocean from Europe
CBP Clearance
1–3 days standard; 5–15 days if examination or AD/CVD review required
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs — Importing Glassware from Germany
What is the effective US tariff rate for importing glassware from Germany?
The effective US tariff rate for glassware from Germany is: 3.9%–22.5% MFN; no additional surcharges. Germany exports premium glassware (Schott, Nachtmann). Standard MFN rates. German glassware meets the highest FDA food-contact standards. No additional tariff surcharges.
What compliance agencies regulate glassware imports from Germany?
Glassware imports require compliance with: FDA, CPSC, EPA. Specific requirements include: FDA regulations on lead and cadmium release limits for glass food-contact articles (21 CFR 109.16) — lip and rim test for drinking glasses, extraction test for glass cookware and CPSC safety standards for glass consumer products — safety glazing required for glass used in architectural applications, furniture, and consumer products.
What documents are required to import glassware from Germany?
Required documents include: Commercial Invoice with glass type, dimensions, and intended end use; Packing List (fragile goods packaging documentation); Bill of Lading; FDA food-contact compliance certificates (lead and cadmium extraction test results). Additional: Country of Origin Declaration; CPSC compliance certificate (for consumer products). Ensure all documents are prepared before the shipment departs Germany.
How long does customs clearance take for glassware from Germany?
Typical timeline: 20–40 days (ocean; requires careful freight handling); 5–10 days (air for high-value items). CBP clearance typically takes 1–3 business days for compliant entries. Complex entries (AD/CVD, formal entry review, or examination) may require 5–15 additional business days.
Are there Section 301 or Section 232 tariffs on glassware from Germany?
No Section 301 tariffs apply to Germany-origin goods. Section 232 applies with a TRQ arrangement — steel within quota enters at reduced/zero Section 232; above quota faces 25%.
What HTS codes and duty rates apply to glassware imports?
Glassware is classified under HTS Chapter 70. Sheet glass (7003–7007): 0%–5.2% MFN. Glass containers (7010): 2.5%–5% MFN. Drinking glasses and household glassware (7013): 3%–38% MFN — lead crystal glassware (7013.22) faces some of the highest rates at 15%–38%. Laboratory glassware (7017): 0%–10% MFN. Optical glass (7015): 0%–2.9% MFN. Safety glazing glass (7007): 0%–4.2% MFN. Chinese glassware faces 25% Section 301. AD/CVD orders exist on Chinese and Indian certain glassware products — verify before importing decorative and tabletop glassware.
What FDA, CPSC, and safety requirements apply to imported glassware for food use?
Food-contact glassware (drinking glasses, decanters, bakeware) must comply with FDA regulations under 21 CFR regarding migration of substances from glass into food. Lead crystal glassware is scrutinized — FDA has issued warnings about lead leaching from lead crystal into beverages, particularly for long-term storage. California Prop 65 requires warnings for lead crystal products sold in California. CPSC governs consumer product safety — broken glass hazards are a compliance consideration for thin-walled glassware. Tempered/safety glass for cookware must meet ASTM standards for thermal shock resistance.
Are there anti-dumping orders on glass products from China?
Yes. Active AD/CVD orders cover several glass product categories from China: polycrystalline silicon (used in solar glass), certain float glass products, and glass solar panels have been subject to trade remedy actions. Decorative glassware has also been investigated. Before importing any glass product from China, search CBP's ADD/CVD search tool and the International Trade Commission (USITC) case database for active orders covering your specific HTS code. AD duty rates on Chinese glass products can range from 20% to over 100% for non-cooperative producers.
Does Germany (EU) face Section 301 or Section 232 tariffs from the US?
Germany is not subject to Section 301 tariffs (which target China). Section 232 steel tariffs were applied to EU imports in 2018 but replaced with a TRQ arrangement in 2022 under the US-EU Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminum. Under the TRQ, specified volumes of EU steel and aluminum enter at 0% Section 232; above-quota imports face 25%/10%. The TRQ status is renegotiated annually.
How does the US-EU Section 232 TRQ work for German steel imports?
The TRQ allocates country-specific quarterly quotas per steel product category. Germany holds individual allocations within the EU umbrella. Once Germany's quarterly quota fills — sometimes within days of quarter start for high-demand categories — subsequent German steel imports face the full 25% Section 232 surcharge. Monitor CBP quota bulletin reports weekly when TRQ treatment is critical.
What EU-US trade dynamics should I monitor for German import cost planning?
Key monitoring items: EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) implementation, WTO dispute proceedings (Boeing-Airbus resolution status), US digital services tax negotiations affecting EU tech-sector goods, and any new Section 301 tariff actions against EU goods. The US and EU are in preliminary discussions on a broader trade framework — any escalation could trigger retaliatory tariff actions affecting German exports.
TRADE INTELLIGENCE TOOLS
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Import duty rates are sourced from the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule and USTR Section 301 lists. Rates reflect current published schedules as of 2026-05-16 and are subject to change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or customs brokerage advice. Verify rates with a licensed customs broker before importing.