Warning for those who model from America

[Newportnobby]

Do the BCC do an electronic version of their quarterly mag? If not, maybe make the suggestion to them on the basis of your concerns

[EtchedPixels]

I subscribe to several UK railway magazines including Railway Modeller, Model Rail, BRM, Steam World, etc.

Copies of these magazines all arrive in the U.S. in either a white envelope or plastic packaging but none of them has a customs declaration label.

There are special rules for magazines and books. Whether those will continue to apply for the US in the current nutjob state I don't know, but conventionally magazines/books providing they have nothing accompanying them (or very little) are normally exempted.

[LASteve]

Just to add to the already confusing confusion: Today I received my new Rapido CL44 via International Tracked Royal Mail. Customs Declaration clearly on the front of the package; no place to declare "Country of Origin".

It came straight through with no additional customs surcharge and it was shipped 8/7, so  nine days shipped from Whitby to received in Los Angeles.

Certainly can't grumble about that, but still leaves the whole tariff situation extremely cloudy.

Thanks to The Model Centre for great service, as always.

[njee20]

Isn't that expected though? That's what's changing next week.

[jpendle]

Isn't that expected though? That's what's changing next week.

Steve is self medicating after a hip replacement, so he's not thinking straight.

John P

[LASteve]

... so he's not thinking straight.

I confess to be confused AF with this tariff stuff, it changes every day and it's a crap-shoot anyway when you've got stuff on pre-order or working through the wonderful TMC post-sales weathering and fitting services. Just happy to have my CL44 and not handing over even more money to the Feds. 

[Maurice]

Personally, I am holding off importing anything until the "dust settles" so to speak. I have plenty of kits to build while I wait for things to adjust or change.
Cheers!
Maurice

[Platy767]

I understand a lot of this stuff has been covered in previous posts, but here is an ABC news story about Australia halting transit shipments to the US.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-21/australia-post-suspends-transit-shipping-parcels-us-trump-tariff/105680456

Mark

[Jeff_W]

I think Kernow just announced they're no longer shipping to the U.S. for the time being until this whole thing is over with.

[EtchedPixels]

I understand a lot of this stuff has been covered in previous posts, but here is an ABC news story about Australia halting transit shipments to the US.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-21/australia-post-suspends-transit-shipping-parcels-us-trump-tariff/105680456

Mark

Uk couriers are doing the same. Apparently they are required to collect tariffs but the US government hasn't yet told them how they are to be collected, accounted, paid for or what paperwork will be required or how returns work, so they've collectively said "screw it"

[jpendle]

So with Rails of Sheffield shipping to the US again, Kernow are not, and Royal Mail resuming shipments I thought I'd do an experiment.

Royal Mail offer a Duty Paid option for private individuals for shipments less than $800 or around 600 quid. The tariff rate is 30% for Chinese goods, as opposed to a flat rate, plus a nominal charge for the extra paperwork (50p if I remember right)

Rails use DHL and they again charge a 30% tariff for Chinese goods, BUT the DHL shipping rate was over £40, so on the £150 purchase that I modelled the shipping almost outweighed the tariff!

As Postal shipments are meant to attract a flat fee, I can only assume that Royal Mail Delivery Duty Paid is not treated in the same way.

If anyone has any shipments coming in soon I'd like to hear how that went!

Regards,

John P

[Ski]

Just an FYI, I made an order from Rails of Sheffield that arrived August 27...and DHL held the shipment demanding about 25% of the value of my order for "duties and fees" before they would release it to me. If I didn't pay it, they would return the shipment. I went ahead and paid it, confused as why this was charged as the de minimus exception was still in place. When I looked up the shipment paperwork on DHLs website, it showed no tariff was charged by US CBP. I haven't had time to call DHL to see why I was charged, but I never had to pay extra like that before and the shipment value was well under $800 US.

I have a few sets of Revolution's 1938 Underground stock preordered and paid for...this is gonna hurt...if I can even get them.

[Bob G]

I had a note from eBay today that they are now shipping to the US.

You have to specify Country of Origin in your sales so that the correct tariffs (as far as EBay is concerned) can be applied.

I quote the email in full below:

"We know the new US import regulations have been challenging. So we're pleased to share that we've added Country of Origin details to some of your listings. This means we've been able to reactivate them for the Global Shipping Programme, so those listings are now available to US buyers again.
What this means for you:
•    Country of Origin is required for listings to be available to US buyers through the Global Shipping Programme. This information is used to calculate duties, taxes, and import fees.
•    Where reliable information is available, we've already added Country of Origin details using trusted data sources.
•    You know your items best, so please add the Country of Origin wherever you can. Any information you provide will override eBay's selection.


Coverage will expand over time, and in the coming months, you'll have more ways to view and manage Country of Origin information selected by eBay for your items.
We remain committed to making international selling as seamless as possible, so you can focus on growing your business.
Learn more about how to add Country of Origin to your listings.

The eBay Team
Was this information helpful? Help us improve by sharing your feedback through a short survey.

Note: In the coming days, the "Country/Region of Manufacture" field name will change to "Country of Origin." Any existing data will automatically be migrated".

HTH
Bob



 

[jpendle]

Revolution are shipping to the US again using the Royal Mail.

So 30% tariff (for Chinese goods) and the outrageous sum of 50p for the RM handling fee 

They are also offering to hold goods until a later date, or allowing cancellation of the order at no charge. Which I think is very fair.

Regards,

John P

[LASteve]

They are also offering to hold goods until a later date ...

That's good news. I've got some pre-orders that are going to drop shortly.