How Do I Handle Tariffs?

Tariffs are a moving target. Rates change, suppliers cannot predict them, and customers expect clarity anyway. No tool can forecast the next policy shift, but you can build defensible tariff assumptions into every quote. HTS codes pulled from Accuris data, weighted price rules set once and applied across quotes, landed cost versus total cost of ownership modelled side-by-side, and tariff exposure surfaced in reporting. Pragmatic, honest about what software can and cannot do, and rooted in what real customers are already doing.

Headshot Stephanie Barone _250x250px
Stephanie Barone
Sales Director, CalcuQuote

Stephanie Barone walks through how to incorporate tariff assumptions into quoting without relying on guesswork. The focus is on structuring HTS-based inputs, applying consistent pricing rules across quotes, and exposing tariff impact in a way that supports clearer customer communication and more defensible decisions.

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Key Takeaways

We are not magical, but we are systematic

No tool can predict tariff changes. CalcuQuote gives you a structured way to apply best-available rates.

  • HTS codes anchor every tariff assumption
  • Quotes carry a defensible tariff number, not a guess
  • When rates change, you change one rule, not every quote

Start with HTS codes

Harmonised Tariff Schedule codes are the foundation for every rule you build downstream.

  • Pull HTS codes from Accuris data inside CalcuQuote
  • Look them up via FOMHELP
  • Or pull them directly from the government’s HTS site

Build it once with Weighted Price Rules

Set a tariff rule one time and CalcuQuote applies it across your quotes.

  • Example: "ICs get a 35% tariff per their HTS code"
  • Your account manager can help you set it up
  • You only revisit the rule when tariffs change

Landed Cost vs Total Cost of Ownership

Two different cost lenses, both modelled in CalcuQuote.

  • Landed cost: hard costs that show up on the invoice (freight, tariffs)
  • Total cost of ownership: landed cost plus softer factors (rebates, payment terms, supplier tier benefits)
  • Apply both as a percentage, total per buy, or total worth

Sort, compare, and choose your adventure

On the Pro tier, auto-select can rank options by landed cost or total cost of ownership.

  • Comparison view shows what each board really costs once tariffs and discounts are factored in
  • You decide what to show the customer: full transparency, a note to "factor in tariffs," or the headline price
  • Internal teams see the full picture either way

Report on it

New data extracts and Report Builder make tariff exposure visible across the business.

  • Landed cost, soft costs, and total cost all flow into your standard reporting
  • Slice by part, by quote, or by customer
  • Tariff exposure stops being a per-quote question and becomes a business-wide one