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

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[Morrus]

We actually tried to drop-ship books from our Canadian printer to our Canadian customers and it was more expensive than shipping books to our NA fulfillment company who then sent them back to Canada.

There was a period a few years back when it was cheaper for us to fulfil Canada from the UK than the US.

 

[Sacrosanct]

When I printed Twilight Fables about a year or so ago, I went through Print Ninja, which were printed in China. A few months ago Print Ninja announced they established a US based printer for print runs of 500 or less (which may be more now, now that tariffs are what they are). So that might still be an option.

 

[dragoner]

Prices still likely to rise from material costs, as a lot of that is coming from China. Big US firms are leery of building the capital to create a supply chain as that makes them vulnerable to raiding by private equity firms. It is easier to dovetail into an existing supply chain. When looking at local printers, I found that ordering about a 1,000 books would cost around $20,000; it is a lot to put up front.

 

[Morrus]

When looking at local printers, I found that ordering about a 1,000 books would cost around $20,000; it is a lot to put up front.

$20 per book is very high. You should be paying a fraction of that.

(Which, of course, is why people don't print locally).

 

[dragoner]

$20 per book is very high. You should be paying a fraction of that.

(Which, of course, is why people don't print locally).

You are exactly correct. One could make it back, though ultimately the margin is too thin, and RPG's don't usually sell a thousand books easily, except the top few percent.

 

[Morrus]

You are exactly correct. One could make it back, though ultimately the margin is too thin, and RPG's don't usually sell a thousand books easily, except the top few percent.

For the same number of books (300+ page full-colour hardcover), we paid $5.59 per book in the EU. A quarter of the price. And of course that cost goes down the more you print. And it's even lower in China, although we don't print our books there. Printing in the US is definitely more expensive.

 

[dragoner]

For the same number of books (300+ page full-colour hardcover), we paid $5.59 per book in the EU. A quarter of the price. And of course that cost goes down the more you print.

$5.59 is a good deal, very doable as a business model. After around 5,000 copies the prices dropped, with further break points, and ordering from companies such as print ninja, were also substantially cheaper. Even then that is only printing costs, production, art, editing is a decent amount, and that is all before the effort to market, and sell the books. Edit: It would be a fulltime career to do, and the likely take home income afterwards would not be very good.

 

[Morrus]

Edit: It would be a fulltime career to do

It is.

 

[Dire Bare]

Some companies could potentially market as "a non-American alternative to D&D" to increase market share in the rest of the world.

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The standalone 'advanced 5E' backwards compatible tabletop RPG!

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[Thondor]

We actually tried to drop-ship books from our Canadian printer to our Canadian customers and it was more expensive than shipping books to our NA fulfillment company who then sent them back to Canada.

Printers here generally don't really fulfill individual orders. You'd want someone like us to do that for you, ship a pallet or so to us and we ship 'em to backers, and help get them into retailers.

They just do books but I've absolutely loved working with Friesens. They're family owned, 100 year old company who produces huge quantities of books. Very professional. Good prices.

I'm not sure its any sort of solution for EN World but I love them.

Friesens does good work. (The Monster Overhaul is done by them among others.) There are some short run options too, as well as other really big printers. Colour seems to be something that Canadian printers usually aren't as cost effect at.