25%Tariffs

[JMcV]

Wouldn't you know it....I spoke too soon. Just got a notification from UPS on import duties due on my incoming K&H. Fortunately just $79, or around 3.5% of the purchase price. I know it isn't VAT, so it must be pre-existing tariffs that were already in place on EU imports? Still a lot better than the threatened 25%.

[BGuttman]

Wouldn't you know it....I spoke too soon. Just got a notification from UPS on import duties due on my incoming K&H. Fortunately just $79, or around 3.5% of the purchase price. I know it isn't VAT, so it must be pre-existing tariffs that were already in place on EU imports? Still a lot better than the threatened 25%.

There have been import duties (essentially the same thing as tariffs) on foreign made goods almost since there was a USA. Before he became Vice-President, Chester Arthur was a Customs Collector of the Port of New York. And he became President on the assassination of James Garfield in 1881.

US Citizens are exempted from duties on goods up to a certain amount. You may be paying duties on whatever exceeds that limit. Duties vary by what is being imported. You can research this on the US Customs Web Site if it hasn't been taken down as some kind of Elon Cost Saving.

[JMcV]

Thanks Bruce, that explains it. And why I haven't had to pay these duties on smaller purchases like JK mouthpieces.

[LeTromboniste]

Wouldn't you know it....I spoke too soon. Just got a notification from UPS on import duties due on my incoming K&H. Fortunately just $79, or around 3.5% of the purchase price. I know it isn't VAT, so it must be pre-existing tariffs that were already in place on EU imports? Still a lot better than the threatened 25%.

Those import duties are likely not a tarif nor a tax, they're a fee UPS charges you for handling the importation for you. You're lucky they're only $79. I've gotten invoices for these fees from UPS and FedEx for $200+ in the past. They're part of the reason those companies can charge slightly less for shipping than the public postal system while still making a profit: they catch up by then charging the recipient those fees, with a completely unpredictable and opaque fee structure.

In total, when taking these fees into account, shipping with the private companies is always more expensive overall that what the public post (USPS for you) charges, as the public services typically charge the sender just slightly more for shipping (although sometimes its still less than UPS even there), but then don't charge the recipient for customs brokerage.

[Bach5G]

To find information on US tariffs, the relevant resource is the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), maintained by the United States International Trade Commission (USITC).

The HTS is a comprehensive database that lists all tariff rates and statistical categories for goods imported into the United States.

https://hts.usitc.gov/

[MomSoldMyHolton]

Much of the material to make a brass instrument is not produced in the USA. It doesn't matter what brand you're talking about. So saying "Made in USA", while I absolutely support that ideal, is an ill.informed, simplistic view point.

The notion that tariffs are permanent is short-sighted, ill informed, and simplistic. The USA has effectively been paying unfairly with VAT for many years. We are doing "reciprocal" tariffs. The comment "Made in the USA" is in relation to the fact that the point is to negotiate better trade deals, part of which involves manufacturing (in other industries as well), and sourcing materials from less exploitative sources and avoiding bad import deals, or negotiating better ones. Sourcing materials where there are not unfair trade deals, so that there is actually an incentive to make everything like we used to in the USA. The point in many instances (we are not just talking about trombones and brass instruments) is to source everything we can either in the United States, negotiate more fair trade deals, and bring manufacturing back to the United States. Have a little faith. Read a book and relax. I recommend "The Art of the Deal".

I saw how this movie ends in Atlantic City in the late 80s with bankruptcy and the little guy holding the bag. I’ll take a pass on reading the book he didn’t actually write!

[WGWTR180]

The notion that tariffs are permanent is short-sighted, ill informed, and simplistic. The USA has effectively been paying unfairly with VAT for many years. We are doing "reciprocal" tariffs. The comment "Made in the USA" is in relation to the fact that the point is to negotiate better trade deals, part of which involves manufacturing (in other industries as well), and sourcing materials from less exploitative sources and avoiding bad import deals, or negotiating better ones. Sourcing materials where there are not unfair trade deals, so that there is actually an incentive to make everything like we used to in the USA. The point in many instances (we are not just talking about trombones and brass instruments) is to source everything we can either in the United States, negotiate more fair trade deals, and bring manufacturing back to the United States. Have a little faith. Read a book and relax. I recommend "The Art of the Deal".

I saw how this movie ends in Atlantic City in the late 80s with bankruptcy and the little guy holding the bag. I’ll take a pass on reading the book he didn’t actually write!

Exactly!! BTW why did mom sell your Holton? And which Holton did she sell?

[harrisonreed]

I think the current exemption amount is $800 on imported stuff, at least for personal use. If you go over that you might have to pay duties in the USA.

Source - I am going to buy Line Audio mics from the UK (mics made in Sweden). If I stay below $800, no duties are due according to their policies.

There are similar limits when you fly into the USA.

[MomSoldMyHolton]

I saw how this movie ends in Atlantic City in the late 80s with bankruptcy and the little guy holding the bag. I’ll take a pass on reading the book he didn’t actually write!

Exactly!! BTW why did mom sell your Holton? And which Holton did she sell?

The people that think this guy is a great, competent businessman didn’t see him bankrupt in the late 80s with his creditors putting him on an allowance like a child.

Ha, she had a friend who’s son started playing and I guess she thought since I was away at college and wasn’t playing at the time she’d do her friend a solid. Wouldn’t be surprised if she just gave it away- been pissed about it for years, lol! Pretty sure it was a TR-188.

[Bach5G]

A parcel service in Pt. Roberts WA closed down after 24 years. This is what they said:

“It is with great sadness; however, with all the government changes and tariffs, it has affected our business four times worse than COVID ever did and only continues to decline at a rapid pace."

Pt Roberts is dependent on Canadian business as its only land access is through Canada.

The story:

https://www.delta-optimist.com/highligh ... e-10427812

[Posaunus]

A parcel service in Pt. Roberts WA closed down after 24 years. This is what they said:

“It is with great sadness; however, with all the government changes and tariffs, it has affected our business four times worse than COVID ever did and only continues to decline at a rapid pace."

Pt Roberts is dependent on Canadian business as its only land access is through Canada.