Trump’s tariff wars

[Railwaygun]

From Ngauge/io

Some good news

just received this note this evening. Seems the date for model trains has been put back until just before Christmas!!!regardsMaurice 4832August 13, 2019  IMPORTANT TARIFF IMPACT UPDATE  Prices reverting to original MSRPs   Today, August 13, 2019, the USTR (Office of the United States Trade Representative) announced that toys, including model trains, are on  List 4B. This means that Broadway Limited Imports' products  will not be tariffed on September 1, as originally announced. Since we will not be incurring immediate additional costs of import, products will revert to their original pricing. Items on list 4B are to be tariffed effective December 15, 2019, according to USTR. As this date draws closer, we will be in contact regarding any products that may incur the tariff at that time.  We at Broadway Limited Imports apologize for the confusion and inconvenience caused by these evolving measures. We know it is frustrating. Thank you for your continued support! Sincerely, --The BLI Team

[jpendle]

For those of us living in the US and buying British stuff the big question is are these tariffs directed at just imports from China, or will a package from Hattons or Rails be subject to the same tariffs?

John P

[Railwaygun]

it will depend on the "Really great Trade Deal" that we are promised

[railsquid]

For those of us living in the US and buying British stuff the big question is are these tariffs directed at just imports from China, or will a package from Hattons or Rails be subject to the same tariffs?

The tariffs are directed specifically at China:

https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2019/august/ustr-announces-next-steps-proposed

though I suppose that could change the moment foreign N scale models are deemed a threat to the American Way of Life.

[Intercity]

Surely even if those of us overseas buying from Hattons or rails etc will still experience higher costs as the retailer will be paying more.

Does this mean Kato entering the market will be a good thing, I believe they are manufactured in Japan, will we see Kato as the cheaper alternative?

[Bealman]

Depends how many loco's you want the Kato br range is not huge

[railsquid]

Surely even if those of us overseas buying from Hattons or rails etc will still experience higher costs as the retailer will be paying more.

Err, this is a tariff matter between the USA and China, and Hattons, Rails etc. certainly won't be subject to US tariffs.

[Intercity]

I understand that, but as I'm in the US will I be paying more even if buying from the UK, is the tariff cost imposed on a customs declaration as it is an item made in China and bought by a US resident even though the retailer is in the UK.

Sorry I don't really understand how it's all worked out, and whether it's just for stuff that sells in the US and not through a third party with eventual sale to the US

[railsquid]

I understand that, but as I'm in the US will I be paying more even if buying from the UK, is the tariff cost imposed on a customs declaration as it is an item made in China and bought by a US resident even though the retailer is in the UK.

I imagine that if you were importing model trains by the container load from the UK, someone in US customs'n'excise (sorry dunno what the official name is) might start asking pointed questions, but for a small private import which does not contain any declaration of origin? I doubt it.

[Intercity]

I guess as the end user it just means more expensive toys, unless we source them from outside US borders.

[LASteve]

I hate to say this in case I jinx it, but Model Railways Direct always mark my packages as "Toy Trains" and there's never been a customs surcharge. My wife laughs her ass off when she sees the label.

[Railwaygun]

there are comments elsewhere on NGF that major importers (Bachmann) may have containers routed via the US - hence tariffs to be paid.

the alternative is longer waits & cost ( via Suez)

[red_death]

When we send packages outside the EU (soon we'll have to do this for everywhere outside the UK - the joy!) we have to include on the customs declaration a customs code (which has a tariff level associated with it) and the origin of the goods so anything made in China won't make a difference whether it comes from China direct or via a retailer.

Cheers Mike