What is the HTSAlert MCP server?

It is a public Model Context Protocol endpoint at htsalert.com/api/mcp that lets AI agents and assistants query US import tariff data directly: current HTS duty rates, recently detected tariff changes, and live HTS code search from official USITC data.

Is the HTSAlert MCP server free to use?

Yes. The server is public and free — no authentication, API key, or account is required. Connect any MCP client to https://htsalert.com/api/mcp over streamable HTTP.

HTSAlert MCP Server

Q: What data do the tools return?

All rate data is sourced from the official USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule and Federal Register notices. Detected changes carry both dates of the two-date model: the legal effective date and the date HTSAlert first detected the change. The data is informational tariff monitoring only — not customs or legal advice.

HTSAlert's MCP server gives AI agents and assistants direct access to authoritative US import tariff data — current duty rates, recently detected tariff changes, and live HTS code search — over the Model Context Protocol. It is free and public: connect any MCP client to https://htsalert.com/api/mcp, no API key or account required.

Endpoint: https://htsalert.com/api/mcp · Transport: streamable HTTP · Auth: none

ABOUT THIS SERVER

HTSAlert's MCP server is a free, public Model Context Protocol endpoint at htsalert.com/api/mcp that lets AI agents query authoritative United States import tariff data with no authentication or API key. It exposes three tools. lookup_hts_rate returns the latest monitored duty rates for an HTS code, including general, column-two, and special rates, Chapter 99 overlay rates from Section 301, Section 232, and IEEPA actions, and the most recently detected rate change. recent_tariff_changes lists tariff changes detected by HTSAlert's daily monitoring, and every change records two dates: the legal effective date from the Federal Register and the date HTSAlert first detected the change in published data. search_hts_codes searches the official USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule by keyword, live. All data comes from official USITC and Federal Register sources, and every response links back to HTSAlert's public documentation pages. The server uses streamable HTTP transport and works with Claude, Cursor, and any standards-compliant MCP client.

Tools

lookup_hts_rate

Look up current US import duty rates for an HTS code (dotted or undotted, 8-10 digits). Returns the latest monitored snapshot — general, other (column 2), and special rates, Chapter 99 overlay rates (Section 301/232/IEEPA), and the computed effective rate — plus the most recently detected rate change with both its legal effective date and detection date. Data comes from official USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule and Federal Register sources. Informational tariff monitoring only — not customs or legal advice.

lookup_hts_rate {"hts_code": "8471.30.0100"}

Returns: rates (general, other, special, effective rate display, Chapter 99 overlays), snapshot date, source URL, and the latest detected change with both its legal effective date and detected date.

recent_tariff_changes

List US tariff rate changes detected by HTSAlert's daily monitoring, newest first (up to 50). Optional filters: days (1-365, default 30) and 2-digit HTS chapter. Every change carries both dates of the two-date model: the legal effective date from the Federal Register and the date HTSAlert first detected the change in published data. Data comes from official USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule and Federal Register sources. Informational tariff monitoring only — not customs or legal advice.

recent_tariff_changes {"days": 30, "chapter": "84"}

Returns: up to 50 changes newest-first, each with old and new rate, governing action, Chapter 99 subheading, legal effective date, and detected date, plus the monitored-codes count.

search_hts_codes

Search the official USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule by keyword and get up to 10 matching HTS codes with their descriptions and general duty rates, live from USITC. Use this to find the right HTS code before calling lookup_hts_rate. Informational tariff monitoring only — not customs or legal advice.

search_hts_codes {"keyword": "lithium battery"}

Returns: up to 10 matching HTS codes with descriptions and general duty rates, live from the official USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

Connect

Claude

Open Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector, then paste the endpoint URL:

https://htsalert.com/api/mcp

Cursor

Add HTSAlert to your mcpServers configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "htsalert": {
      "url": "https://htsalert.com/api/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Any MCP client

Point any standards-compliant MCP client at https://htsalert.com/api/mcp using the streamable HTTP transport. No authentication or API key is required.

Browse the tariff change log Get alerted when your codes change

HTSAlert provides informational tariff monitoring only — not customs or legal advice. We do not file entries.