Tariffmonitor MCP

What tariffmonitor-mcp does

tariffmonitor-mcp gives AI agents access to US import tariff data and HTS classification lookup. It covers 19,856 HTS codes and estimates a product's stacked duty rate based on its HTS line and country of origin. Results can include the MFN base rate, applicable Section 301 layers, selected Section 232 coverage, and the 2026 Section 301 forced-labor tariff layer.

The calculator can also turn an annual import value into an estimated annual duty amount. For China-related analysis, responses include the projected effect of the stated Section 301 product-exclusion end date and identify assumptions or exemptions used in the calculation.

How it works

The server exposes MCP tools through either a local stdio process or a hosted Streamable HTTP endpoint. A client can first search for a product description or numeric HTS prefix, then pass a selected code to the tariff calculator. Everyday product terms are mapped to relevant USITC headings, with matching 10-digit lines ranked by relevance.

Rates are evaluated for a specific HTS code and origin country. The service reports the date on which its data was checked, separates the layers in the rate stack, and identifies assumptions that depend on facts outside the lookup. If the upstream service cannot be reached or a code is absent from the schedule, the tool reports that condition rather than fabricating a rate.

Setup and configuration

The hosted endpoint is available at https://adcreator-ai.com/mcp-free and requires no API key or signup. It permits 25 tool calls per IP per day and 500 calls per day across all users; limits reset at 00:00 UTC. Calls beyond the limit return a JSON-RPC error directing users to the local package.

For local use, configure an MCP client to launch the package with:

{
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "tariffmonitor-mcp"]
}

Claude Code can add the hosted endpoint with claude mcp add --transport http tariffmonitor https://adcreator-ai.com/mcp-free. Claude Desktop and Cursor use the local npx configuration shown above, followed by a client restart where applicable.

The hosted service logs request metadata such as method, tool, status, duration, user agent, client identity, and IP address. Tool arguments are not included in that call log. The local package sends product search terms, HTS codes, and origin countries to the tariff database.

Tools and capabilities

• lookup_hts_code: searches HTS codes by product words or numeric prefixes and ranks matching lines.
• calculate_tariff: estimates the stacked rate for one HTS code and origin, with optional annual dollar impact.
• compare_origins: compares two to eight origin countries for one code, including layered rates, post-exclusion rates, and optional annual duty amounts.
• Identifies China Section 301 Lists 1–4A and the 2024 review increases where applicable.
• Checks specified steel, aluminum, and copper Section 232 coverage by HTS line and flags other listed Section 232 programs for review.
• Reports exemptions, assumptions, data-check dates, and the relevant China exclusion timing.

Limitations and notes

The outputs are estimates, not shipment-specific tariff quotes. Rates can change, and the correct result depends on both the HTS code and origin country. The calculator does not model individual Section 301 China product exclusions. Some exemptions require facts the tool cannot independently determine, including USMCA or CAFTA-DR qualification and certain civil-aircraft or pharmaceutical uses; these appear as assumptions in the response.

The Federal Register wording places the China exclusion end at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on November 9, 2026, while a USTR release describes the extension as ending November 10, 2026. The calculator identifies the Federal Register wording as the legal reference. The hosted endpoint is subject to daily usage limits; the local package has no hosted endpoint quota but still uses the tariff database for lookups.