Calculate Your Landed Cost
Adjust values for Olive Oil & Cooking Oils from Lesotho
How Tariffs Stack
Each layer adds to the total cost — amounts based on customs value
Full Landed Cost Breakdown
Based on a $10,000 ocean shipment (FOB value)
How the Tariff Rate is Calculated
The tariff structure for olive oil & cooking oils follows the US stacking formula: the MFN base rate of 3.5%. The special tariff layer (the highest of Section 122, Section 232, or bilateral rates) is 0%, which combines with the MFN base to produce a subtotal before Section 301 duties. Adding all layers yields a total tariff rate of 3.5%. On a customs value of $10,600.00, this translates to total duties of $371.00, plus the Merchandise Processing Fee of $36.72 and Harbor Maintenance Fee of $13.25. The total landed cost including all fees reaches $11,020.97.
Trade Context
The United States imported $200M in goods from Lesotho in 2024, making it a significant trading partner in the Africa region. Key import categories from Lesotho include clothing garments, diamonds, food, reflecting the country's industrial and agricultural strengths. Olive Oil & Cooking Oils represents an important segment of this trade relationship, with demand driven by both price competitiveness and product availability in the US market. The bilateral trade volume underscores the economic significance of tariff policy decisions affecting imports from Lesotho.
What Happens When Section 122 Expires?
Section 122 does not affect imports of olive oil & cooking oils from Lesotho because this product category is exempt from the Section 122 surcharge. The exemption applies to product categories deemed essential or strategically important, and it remains in effect regardless of Section 122's expiration on July 24, 2026. Importers of olive oil & cooking oils from Lesotho will see no change in tariff costs when Section 122 expires.
Alternative Sourcing Countries for Olive Oil & Cooking Oils
Importers looking for lower tariff costs on olive oil & cooking oils may consider sourcing from South Africa (effective rate 15%); Botswana (effective rate 15%); Namibia (effective rate 15%). Compared to Lesotho's total effective rate of 3.5%, these alternatives offer potential cost savings depending on the specific product classification and applicable trade agreements. Each alternative carries its own tariff structure, so importers should calculate the full landed cost before switching suppliers.
Tariff Timeline for Lesotho
Section 232 steel/aluminum tariff increased to 50%
Section 122 uniform 15% surcharge takes effect
Frequently Asked Questions
The current total tariff rate on Olive Oil & Cooking Oils from Lesotho is 3.5%. This is composed of the following layers: MFN base rate: 3.5%. The effective tariff rate after all layers is 3.5%.
For a $10,000 shipment of Olive Oil & Cooking Oils from Lesotho, you can expect to pay approximately $350.00 in total duties at the current rate of 3.5%. Additional fees include the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) and, for ocean shipments, the Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF). The total landed cost for a $10,000 order would be approximately $10,350.00, representing an effective cost increase of 3.5% over the FOB price. Use our tariff calculator for precise calculations based on your specific shipment value and shipping method.
No, Olive Oil & Cooking Oils is exempt from the Section 122 surcharge. This product category has been granted an exemption from Section 122 duties, meaning the surcharge does not add to the tariff cost for olive oil & cooking oils from Lesotho or any other country.
Section 122 does not currently apply to Olive Oil & Cooking Oils from Lesotho, so its expiration on July 24, 2026 would not directly change the tariff cost. The current tariff rate of 3.5% would remain based on other applicable tariff layers. However, broader trade policy changes surrounding the Section 122 expiration could affect overall tariff structures.
For Olive Oil & Cooking Oils, alternative sourcing countries to consider instead of Lesotho include South Africa (effective rate: 15%), Botswana (effective rate: 15%), Namibia (effective rate: 15%). Compared to Lesotho's total effective rate of 3.5%, these alternatives may offer lower landed costs depending on the specific HTS classification. Use our country comparison tool to see a detailed side-by-side analysis of tariff costs.