Import duty on exercise balls from China
Rates checked
Importing exercise balls from China into the US costs about 24.6% in duty and tariffs in total: 4.6% base duty under HTS 9506.91.00.30, a 7.5% product-specific Section 301 China tariff plus 12.5% under the Section 301 forced-labor trade action.
HTS code for exercise balls
9506.91.00.30
Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics, athletics, other sports (including table-tennis) or outdoor games, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; swimming pools and wading pools; parts and accessories thereof: Other: Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics or athletics; parts and accessories thereof: Other
High confidence
CBP rulings G84170 (2000-11-20), H193658 (2015-07-20) and H298524 (2019-04-01) classify this product under this heading: standard inflatable ball of PVC or other plastic used for general physical exercise, stability or balance training, sold on its own or with a pump to inflate it; not a sports ball for games, not a toy, not a weighted medicine or slam ball, not a ball chair or a set with other exercise equipment.
Copy of the ruling (mirror): G84170, H193658, H298524
Checked 10 Nov 2026: no matching product exclusion under 9903.88.69 / 9903.88.70; USTR extended the same exclusions through 9 Jan 2027. The forced-labor action has separate exemptions.
Duty and tariff breakdown
| Line | Rate |
|---|---|
| Base customs dutyHTS 9506.91.00.30 | 4.6% |
| Section 301 — product-specific China tariffheading 9903.88.15 | 7.5% |
| Section 301 — forced-labor trade actionheading 9903.05.31A Section 301 trade action on countries whose import-ban policies on forced-labor goods the U.S. considers inadequate. It applies to applicable Chinese-origin goods, subject to exemptions. | 12.5% |
| Total estimated duty | 24.6% |
| Merchandise processing fee (MPF)FY2027 per entry, minimum $34.58, maximum $670.86 | 0.3464% |
| Harbor maintenance fee (HMF)ocean freight only | 0.125% |
Rates checked 10 Nov 2026
Worked example
- Per $1,000 of goods: $246.00 in duty and tariffs, plus about $4.71 in MPF and HMF (a small entry pays the MPF minimum instead).
- Per unit at an example $3.50 factory price: $0.86 in duty and tariffs.
Why the code might be different
The code depends on what the product is made of and what it is mainly used for. Exercise balls are usually made of PVC. No other code came close for this description. A different material, a different power source or a different main use can move a product to another heading.
Compliance and paperwork
- Prop 65 warning (California) — may applyCalifornia OEHHA
- Country-of-origin label — appliesCBP
What else goes into landed cost
Duty is one line. Freight from the factory to the Amazon warehouse, customs brokerage, inspection, and Amazon's fulfilment and referral fees usually cost more than the duty does.
Duty on exercise balls is about 24.6%, but it's rarely the biggest cost.
A free Cap Engine scan of the Amazon listing adds freight from China, Amazon's FBA and referral fees, ad spend and the cash your first order ties up, so you know whether it actually makes money before you order.
- Landed cost per unit
- Profit after Amazon fees and ads
- Cash needed for the first order
3 free scans · no credit card
Questions about importing exercise balls
What HTS code are exercise balls?
Exercise balls from China usually fall under HTS 9506.91.00.30 (Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics, athletics, other sports (including table-tennis) or outdoor games, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; swimming pools and wading pools; parts and accessories thereof: Other: Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics or athletics; parts and accessories thereof: Other). The match has high confidence.
Is there a Section 301 tariff on exercise balls?
Yes. Exercise balls from China pay the 7.5% product-specific China tariff (heading 9903.88.15) and the 12.5% forced-labor trade action (heading 9903.05.31) under Section 301, on top of the 4.6% base duty, 24.6% in total.
How much duty do I pay on exercise balls from China?
About 24.6% of the goods' value: $246.00 per $1,000 of goods, or $0.86 per unit at a $3.50 factory price. The MPF and HMF customs fees come on top, about 0.4714% together.
What paperwork do exercise balls need?
Usually: Country-of-origin label on the product. Check the compliance section above for what each involves.