Tariffs on used audio gear

[sbo6]

With all the continuing tariff changes I'm curious what the rate might be for equipment made in Europe shipped to the US? Also, how about the added complexity of gear made in Europe, shipped to Canada and now, as used gear, sold / shipped to the US? From what I'd been able to decipher, it looks like it's 15%. Any input would be much appreciated.

 

[shakti]

it looks like it's 15%.

Depends on the individual Custom agent. Some apply 15%,
some do ask for any metal weight (like an amplifier chassis) and do apply other percentages, depending on the source of the metal to the metal weight, which makes it very complicated to import (or to export) to US

 

[sbo6]

Depends on the individual Custom agent. Some apply 15%,
some do ask for any metal weight (like an amplifier chassis) and do apply other percentages, depending on the source of the metal to the metal weight, which makes it very complicated to import (or to export) to US

Thanks. Are you aware of a charge of 15% and charges for metal weight? Or one or the other?

 

[djsina2]

I've always bought a lot of stuff from Japan, including cartridges, various parts, step up transformers, and records. The continually changing tariff situation in the USA has stopped all of my Japanese purchases. But I'm not now purchasing in the USA, because the goods are not available here.

Stupidity at it's finest.

Nothing is changing, the rate is 15% for Japan. I was recently billed this by FedEx.

 

[djsina2]

Totally incorrect. First of all, 15% is new and could change at any moment as all of the tariffs have. Second, the USPS has changed their rules on small packages, also effecting what I buy.

USPS Just Changed Its Delivery Rules — Here’s How It Could Affect Your Next Package

New USPS delivery standards could slow mail for some customers and speed it up for others. Here's what online shoppers need to know.

www.investopedia.com

Totally incorrect. The trade deal was signed and finalized on 9/4. It specifically says that the rate is 15% for all products coming from Japan. Think of it this way, you’re already paying 10% sales tax for everything in your daily life by living in CA. Is another 5% really that big of deal??

 

[Salectric]

I recently bought a kit from a company in Canada, and it was missing 5 tiny screws. I complained and the seller quickly sent the missing screws to me in the US by UPS. Imagine my surprise when UPS sent a notice saying there would be $39.44 due on delivery for “tariffs and fees.” The seller said he had declared a value of $1, and I should refuse delivery. I did, and I then ordered a package of 50 identical screws from a US supplier for $6.

The tariffs are ridiculous. A lot of small businesses in Canada and elsewhere are suffering from the massive drop in sales to the US.

 

[djsina2]

We have a signed trade deal with Mexico and Canada and there have been tariffs added. Signed trade deals mean nothing.

I do like how you totally ignored the small parcel change. Gaslight much?

I have no idea what your USPS link means so I didn’t comment.

 

[thedudeabides]

Given the ever changing tariffs charged various countries, how do on line retailers who sell product, with free shipping, adjust prices when product is provided / shipped by manufacturer directly to consumer?

 

[djsina2]

I recently bought a kit from a company in Canada, and it was missing 5 tiny screws. I complained and the seller quickly sent the missing screws to me in the US by UPS. Imagine my surprise when UPS sent a notice saying there would be $39.44 due on delivery for “tariffs and fees.” The seller said he had declared a value of $1, and I should refuse delivery. I did, and I then ordered a package of 50 identical screws from a US supplier for $6.

The tariffs are ridiculous. A lot of small businesses in Canada and elsewhere are suffering from the massive drop in sales to the US.

Obviously that was some sort of mistake. There are no 3900% tariff rates.

 

[djsina2]

Given the ever changing tariffs charged various countries, how do on line retailers who sell product, with free shipping, adjust prices when product is provided / shipped by manufacturer directly to consumer?

Tariffs have nothing to do with shipping costs. The buyer will receive a tariff bill some time after the package is delivered. In my case it took FedEx 2-3 weeks.

 

[treitz3]

I recently bought a kit from a company in Canada, and it was missing 5 tiny screws. I complained and the seller quickly sent the missing screws to me in the US by UPS. Imagine my surprise when UPS sent a notice saying there would be $39.44 due on delivery for “tariffs and fees.” The seller said he had declared a value of $1, and I should refuse delivery. I did, and I then ordered a package of 50 identical screws from a US supplier for $6.

The tariffs are ridiculous. A lot of small businesses in Canada and elsewhere are suffering from the massive drop in sales to the US.

Tariffs are Ridiculous but some people will gaslight their way out of admitting it. It’s sad and pathetic.

In your opinion, they are ridiculous. Other countries didn't have any issue charging a tariff on US goods, and there is nothing stopping them from doing business in the US, if they don't want to pay the tariffs. Fair trade is just that. Fair. For all parties involved. In the end, Salectric still got what he needed for $6.00. Had the company in Canada not forgotten the small screws, there wouldn't have been any issue to begin with.

Tom

 

[djsina2]

Tariffs are Ridiculous but some people will gaslight their way out of admitting it. It’s sad and pathetic.

Again, you have no issue living in the most taxed state and paying 10% on everything you buy but now 5% more for what’s probably a few purchases a year and the world is ending. Sorry, not going to shed a tear for someone with a ~$50k stereo in a new $200k (guessing ) dedicated audio room home addition getting a small tariff bill. I don’t like it either and I don’t want to pay more but it’s not that big of a deal.

 

[treitz3]

Re: Jeff's comments - From your point of view. Others may share a different view. Getting on the merits of whether the tariffs are good or bad is a completely different topic that does not belong on this board. There are plenty of other avenues available out there to discuss your views, if you so choose. We will not be debating this here, as this is political discourse and against the TOS of the WBF.

Discussing how tariffs affect used audio is okay, as this directly effects our hobby. So long as the conversations do not involve politics.

Tom

 

[jeff1225]

Re: Jeff's comments - From your point of view. Others may share a different view. Getting on the merits of whether the tariffs are good or bad is a completely different topic that does not belong on this board. There are plenty of other avenues available out there to discuss your views, if you so choose. We will not be debating this here, as this is political discourse and against the TOS of the WBF.

Discussing how tariffs affect used audio is okay, as this directly effects our hobby. So long as the conversations do not involve politics.

Tom

Deleting all of my posts. Tom, be a moderator or a contributor, you can’t be both.

 

[Kbh57]

The obvious effect on the audio business is that the tax increase on US importers of foreign goods-in this case audio equipment-will be price increases to American consumers. Unless there is unusual price elasticity in the demand for these products, the laws of economics dictate that sales of higher tariffed goods will be lower-in fact, that's the point. The merits of these tax increases are in the eye of the beholder, but there is little doubt they will be passed on, in whole or part, to American consumers of imported audio gear. It is certainly true that no one will ever feel sorry for our little group of audio enthusiasts paying higher taxes on a $100k amp. Whether one has that dispassionate view of working folks shopping at the Dollar Store for life's necessities who will be paying more depends on individual sensibilities. Each to their own.

An interesting question is the effect on American exporters of audio gear. I heard some talk at SWAF that international sales of U.S. products was down because international buyers were opting against American equipment due to our tariff policy. This was purely anecdotal, just hallway conversation, and I hope its not true. I live in the heart of bourbon country and I know for a fact that the bourbon industry is being badly hurt by falling international sales-a backlash from our tariff policy. Several smaller distillers are already in insolvency. While I'm doing my part to support the industry, I can't make up for the entire province of Ontario. Hopefully, this will be temporary and the market for this important product (important to the thousands of Kentuckians who work in the industry) will stabilize. I agree with treitz3, the merits of the policy are a matter of opinion and beyond the scope of this forum. The immediate effects on the audio business, however, seem pretty obvious.

 

[jeff1225]

Deleting all of my posts. Tom, be a moderator or a contributor, you can’t be both.

Laugh away. You are for free speech until you’re not. And…the fact that Tom criticized me and not you show the bias.

Personal attack/insult against another member of this forum removed.

 

[PeterA]

I just bought an expensive cartridge from Europe and was hit with a 15% tariff called an import duty charge by UPS. I had to pay it before delivery. Of course I did not like paying it and it was a complete surprise, but I wanted the cartridge and it did not change my behavior.

I agree with Tom that I believe in fair trade and the Europeans have been paying a tariff on US audio goods for years. This affects our Audio companies. It’s time to level the playing field. Perhaps some audio files here will reconsider domestic audio designs.

The effect on used and new audio equipment is that it will raise prices on imported gear. We will have to adjust and may make different choices or not. I don’t really buy much audio gear anymore , and most of it is from the US anyway.

The cartridge sounds fantastic and I have no regrets.

 

[djsina2]

Laugh away. You are for free speech until you’re not. And…the fact that Tom criticized me and not you show the bias.

Personal attack/insult against another member of this forum removed.

Oh boy, take a deep breath. Everything is going to be ok.

 

[Doc76]

Jeff,

Sorry to hear about this. While of course you could afford the $39 tariff, next time a purchaser may not.

Let’s say it’s a $400K set of speakers with someone paying prepaid shipping (possibly 10-15k). Would anyone here pay a 3900% tarriff? Maybe a few 3900% tariff lovers would, but I doubt it. And so what if it’s only a “mistake” as someone suggested. Do they really think they are going to get that prepaid freight back? Does the dealer have a restocking charge?

Thanks Jeff for pointing out a serious problem with tariffs.

 

[tima]

I just bought an expensive cartridge from Europe and was hit with a 15% tariff called an import duty charge by UPS. I had to pay it before delivery. Of course I did not like paying it and it was a complete surprise, but I wanted the cartridge and it did not change my behavior.

I bought a vintage S2 SME headshell from Japan for ~$125. German DHL said I owed $39 on top of that. That's ~30% though the Japanese tariff is 15%. DHL did not a break down for what they were charging. Perhaps some duty in addition to the tariff? Tariffs are one thing if they are predictable. Shipping cost is crazy.