Warning for those who model from America

[JTR4472]

Hello everyone,

I don't want to get political, however, this is just a warning. Due to the de-minimis exemption ending on August 29th, 2025, this is a warning for those who order things from Britain and around the world. If you are an American, everything you purchase that ships into the U.S. after August 29th, 2025, will either have a 10% tariff if using a private mail carrier, or a $80 flat fee if using a national carrier like Royal Mail. This includes purchases under $800 as well. This will go until February of 2026. After that point, everything will have the 10% tariff. If I were you, I would order everything right now that you were looking at getting to avoid a hefty price increase that could have been unexpected. Everything could change, but from what I have seen, this is what will be happening. Please try to not get politics into this, but if you have any other useful information, please let us know! Have a good day.

From, Jim Riley

PS: If you have a Graham Farish Peppercorn A2 LNER #525 for a good price for sale, please DM me immediately!

Edit: Just realized this should have been in General Discussion, sorry!

[jpendle]

I thought that anything originating from China would get a 20% tariff, from the EU 15%, and the UK 10%.

So a Farish loco, a Zimo decoder, and a piece of Peco track bought from a UK retailer would get hit by 20%,15%,&10% respectively.

It also means that for the time being you would want any purchases shipped by Fedex et al, rather than by mail, unless the other shippers charge tariff collection fees.

What a PITA!

John P

[bigdawgks]

How disappointing. I guess I need to start ordering everything I need soon.

[TrainMan2001]

Thanks for the warning! Do you know if this would apply to British models that were made in China as well? It's been difficult to find consice information that explains what's going on.

[jpendle]

Thanks for the warning! Do you know if this would apply to British models that were made in China as well? It's been difficult to find consice information that explains what's going on.

From the end of the month the tariffs apply to absolutely everything, with the probable exception of printed materials, magazines, books, etc.

So as in my previous post anything you by from a UK retailer that was made in China will attract the tariff for China, currently 20%.

Regards,

John P

[bwj]

my 2 cents:

(i)The tariffs are designed to apply to be rated by the original country of origin so that a Farish loco manufactured in China should attract the higher 20% rate. My post Brexit experience of buying stuff for import from EU to UK though is that with small parcels the shippers never delve too deeply into the original contry of origin and I just pay the import duty and UK VAT. Ssometimes small parcels get through with no additional charges

(ii) VAT or the equivalent of GST is 20% in the UK and EU but if you are importing to North America you should make sure you aren't being charged this on the original purchase price; only the import & customs duties should apply to you

eg para 9 of Gaugemaster's FAQ
"9. Do you ship abroad?
Of course, and we like to think we are rather good at it too! We charge postage at cost in order to get you the best value and it's visible before you checkout. We also offer VAT free sales to qualifying countries. All shipments are marked up with the value of goods contained within so you may be charged import duty on arrival by the relevant authorities."

(iii) if you have friends or family you vist in Canada importing via them should be tariff free but there are still going to be the normal charges of GST/PST/shipper's admin

[woodbury22uk]

My friend in Oklahoma just received her Christmas present from me early! Like many US residents she was unaware of the $800 duty free import allowance ending. As I understand it the new rules apply equally to gifts and purchases.

[njee20]

It'll certainly be interesting to see how things like John's hypothetical Zimo/Peco/Farish parcel are handled. Surely, purely from a logistical standpoint they won't be poring over every individual item in a shipment, and one presumes they'll go for the lowest common denominator (ie highest tariff all around), or the country of shipping (less likely).

[EtchedPixels]

It'll certainly be interesting to see how things like John's hypothetical Zimo/Peco/Farish parcel are handled.

It will be interesting to see how many UK suppliers just stop shipping to the USA because the paperwork for this is a menace and if it's rejected or the seller refuses to pay the duty there's potentially a load of fees that get billed back as well as the loss of the shipping costs.

surely, purely from a logistical standpoint they won't be poring over every individual item in a shipment

I fear not because this is the USA and therefore all regulations are supposed to be applied identically to anyone whoever they are and whatever their status, as opposed to the UK where "I can't be bothered to notice" is considered acceptable behaviour. Remember this is the country that made the first men on the moon fill in customs forms for the moon rocks.

There's a lot to say for treating everything the same and properly but sometimes it's really annoying.

[chrism]

Remember this is the country that made the first men on the moon fill in customs forms for the moon rocks.

However, the IRS did allow Jack Swigert, Command Module Pilot on Apollo 13, an extension after he remembered that he'd forgotten to send in his tax return - because he was out of the country on deadline day.

[jpendle]

or the seller refuses to pay the duty

There's no duty on toy trains, and it's the buyer who will be paying the tariff, not the seller.

The only downside for UK retailers is that their goods may be returned and the buyer asks for a refund.

Personally, if a modeller over here thinks they can mess around rejecting shipments because of the tariffs then I think they should be liable for all shipping costs plus a re-stocking penalty.

Worst financial case is that the 16.666% VAT that we save goes to the US Gov as a 20% tariff.

Second worst case is goods taking weeks or even months to clear customs, as opposed to the roughly 1 week door to door that we currently have.

Regards,

John P