Do Tariffs Apply To RPG Books? Maybe, Maybe Not!

When the recent tariffs were announced by the US, panic was the first reaction from tabletop roleplaying game publishers.

This was soon followed by a wave of hope as people shared an official exemption list which included "printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter in single sheets, whether or not folded" and "printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, other than in single sheets" (see codes 49011000 and 49019900). Seemingly, TTRPG rulebooks might escape the tariffs!

However, ICv2 is reporting that this may not be the case. According to a pair of rulings dating all the way back to 1989 and 1991, TTRPG rulebooks are instead classified as "arcade, table or parlor games… parts and accessories thereof". These rulings came from the US Custom and Border Protection agency, and were applied to Columbia Games and West End Games, respectively.

The first ruling was titled "Fantasy Role Play Expansion Modules".

In our opinion, heading 9504 provides the more specific description of the merchandise in issue. The modules enhance fantasy game play; they were not designed for passive reading.

- US Customs and Border Protection, November 1989​

​

The second ruling, titled "Fantasy role play games books are expansion modules are designed to enhance fantasy game play, not for passive reading" reads as follows.

As a result of the foregoing, the instant merchandise is classified under subheading 9504.90.9080, HTSUSA, as articles for arcade, table or parlor games, including pinball machines, bagatelle, billiards and special tables for casino games; automatic bowling alley equipment; parts and accessories thereof; other, other, other, other. The applicable rate of duty is 4.64 percent ad valorem.

- US Customs and Border Protection, November 1991​

These rulings are both 35 years old, so there is no guarantee that the same ruling would be made today. This ruling, from last year, classifies a Shadowrun supplement as a book, noting that "This ruling only takes into consideration the books when imported separately." But it does cast doubt on the status of TTRPG rulebooks. Are they books or are they games, according to the US customs agencies? If the latter, TTRPG books coming from China would suffer the same 145% tariff that boxed sets, accessories, and boardgames do. That means that a $30K print run of a few thousand books would incur an additional $43,500 bill when arriving at port in the US--considerably more than it costs to manufacture them in the first place.

Products coming from countries other than China are currently subject to a lower 10% tariff. However, with the speed at which the situation changes, it is impossible for companies to plan shipments to the US. Whatever the tariffs, what is necessary for trade is stability. Most organisations need a lead time measured in weeks--or sometimes months--in order to budget and plan for manufacturing and international shipments, and the tariffs are currently changing on a daily basis. And without even knowing for sure whether TTRPG rulebooks incur the tariff, we may have to wait until the first shipment hits port to find out!

The Shipping Tariff Lottery #shorts

The gamble we face when deciding whether to ship product to the US right now. #Gaming #ShippingChallenges #Tariffs #Kickstarter #GameDesign

www.youtube.com

 

[Morrus]

I wonder how hard it would be to convince American TTRPG companies to relocate to Canada. Or at least move some conventions up there, so gamers can spend their dollars in a country that's less hostile to small TTRPG businesses with global supply chains.

You can’t just move to another country. Immigration isn’t a trivial process, personally, legally, or logistically.

 

[MGibster]

I wonder how hard it would be to convince American TTRPG companies to relocate to Canada. Or at least move some conventions up there, so gamers can spend their dollars in a country that's less hostile to small TTRPG businesses with global supply chains.

Given how uncertain the future is, I don't know if anyone would be interested in moving within the next few years. We don't know what the situation is going to be in two weeks let alone in 2029.

 

[Clint_L]

I love all of y’all for this discussion, and detest that we have to have it.

I’m Canadian, and we were among the first to be threatened with tariffs, which was especially stressful for us due to our tight economic integration and also the other political context of the tariff threats. I’m not a publisher, just a consumer, but all this constantly shifting tariff talk has definitely quashed my will to spend—especially on American products. (Example: I love DCC and often support Goodman Games crowdfunding campaigns, but I’m pulling my support for now.) It’s not an indictment of the American companies, rather it’s me choosing to make a political statement with my dollars… and saving my dollars for the bumpy ride to come.

I did still recently back a couple UK products though, which is something. Now I need to fall in love with a Canadian TTRPG company.

Yes - this. I love a lot of American games companies, but right now it just feels wrong to spend money on American products. That's why I'm particularly glad that Dungeons and Lasers is running a KS right now - Poland is a safe choice!

 

[Queer Venger]

Trump is kind of like the Paul Muad'ib of our times.
Nevertheless,
The spice must flow.

 

[Morrus]

Trump is kind of like the Paul Muad'ib of our times.
Nevertheless,
The spice must flow.

You know the rules. You won’t be posting in this thread again.

 

[Thondor]

I love all of y’all for this discussion, and detest that we have to have it.

I’m Canadian, and we were among the first to be threatened with tariffs, which was especially stressful for us due to our tight economic integration and also the other political context of the tariff threats. I’m not a publisher, just a consumer, but all this constantly shifting tariff talk has definitely quashed my will to spend—especially on American products. (Example: I love DCC and often support Goodman Games crowdfunding campaigns, but I’m pulling my support for now.) It’s not an indictment of the American companies, rather it’s me choosing to make a political statement with my dollars… and saving my dollars for the bumpy ride to come.

I did still recently back a couple UK products though, which is something. Now I need to fall in love with a Canadian TTRPG company.

Most of the publishers we carry (Compose Dream Games) are either Canadian or British. There are a handful of exceptions (including Malta and Australia). FLGS across the country can order in from us too.
Here's the publisher list: https://composedreamgames.com/marketplace/publisher

I wonder how hard it would be to convince American TTRPG companies to relocate to Canada. Or at least move some conventions up there, so gamers can spend their dollars in a country that's less hostile to small TTRPG businesses with global supply chains.

We already have some good game conventions here. Terminal City Con in Vancouver and Breakout in Toronto are the top two, and CanGames in Ottawa has been running since 1974.

 

[Belen]

Did folks see the Troll Lord Games announcement about publishing books and box sets in the US?

They are also expanding their own printing facilities.

 

[Morrus]

Did folks see the Troll Lord Games announcement about publishing books and box sets in the US?

They are also expanding their own printing facilities.

It’s not really an option for everybody though, is it? But I’m happy for them that they are in such a fortunate position. Maybe they can print everybody else’s books too!

(But I can’t imagine anybody outside the US would risk moving manufacturing to such an unstable environment where the rules change on a whim; they’re better off making sure that their manufacturing and supply chains are as stable as possible).

 

[Belen]

It’s not really an option for everybody though, is it? But I’m happy for them that they are in such a fortunate position. Maybe they can print everybody else’s books too!

(But I can’t imagine anybody outside the US would risk moving manufacturing to such an unstable environment where the rules change on a whim; they’re better off making sure that their manufacturing and supply chains are as stable as possible).

They were offering to help other publishers print locally by offering softcover printing of putting them in touch with their HC printers.

I thought it was a nice gesture for those worried about tariffs or supply chain issues.

 

[Morrus]

They were offering to help other publishers print locally by offering softcover printing of putting them in touch with their HC printers.

I thought it was a nice gesture for those worried about tariffs or supply chain issues.

Perhaps. But it’s not a solution. The US as a whole doesn’t have the printing capacity. They might be able to help out with a couple of small print runs, but they can’t provide an entire country’s infrastructure. But good for them!