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​

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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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[Paul Farquhar]

This is the Yin-Yang of economic theory: what's better, higher wages or lower prices? Lower prices create greater demand, which increases employment. Higher wages gives greater buying power, which also increases demand...and increases employment. Unless higher wages cause lower employment due to labor costs. It's a Gordian Knot!

Given that these tariffs will produce higher prices and lower wages, it looks like pretty much all yang to me.

 

[GothmogIV]

"It's a giant sh*t sandwich, and we all get to take a bite." --Full Metal Jacket

 

[Belen]

I don't know about Canada, but it'll likely be at least a generation before Europe trusts the US again. Trust comes by foot, but leaves by racecar.

Did it previously exist? There has been tension and anger for a long time.

I do not condone the current mess. I have a lot of friends in Canada and the EU. I am visiting Canada in August and I am looking forward to it. I worry about the relationships all the time as I interact with international folks every single day and I have been worried about the tone for many years on a macro level.

The global instability is scary and I do not think most people really understand it in the way that should have them terrified.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Did it previously exist?

Yes. Until very recently the UK viewed the USA as a reliable ally. Which is why it followed loyally into so many foreign adventures.

 

[dragoner]

The tariff nonsense is like this:

In engineering there is an old saying that a failure to plan, is a plan for failure.

Yes. Until very recently the UK viewed the USA as a reliable ally. Which is why it followed loyally into so many foreign adventures.

Nevertheless the current regime has capitalized on this feeling in the public, and I fear it will be a sword that cuts both ways, no matter the future outcome, the trust will be destroyed from either direction, things will never get back to the way they were.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Nevertheless the current regime has capitalized on this feeling in the public, and I fear it will be a sword that cuts both ways, no matter the future outcome, the trust will be destroyed from either direction, things will never get back to the way they were.

Indeed. The phrase "played for fools" comes to mind.

 

[dragoner]

Indeed. The phrase "played for fools" comes to mind.

It is used by them as a reason for enacting the tariffs.

 

[Umbran]

Nevertheless the current regime

Mod note:
Politics. Please don't. Thanks.

 

[aramis erak]

Did it previously exist? There has been tension and anger for a long time.

With Canada, on the ground level, Yes. Especially the US West Coast and the far northeast, where the economies are strongly intertwined. Or, were until the tariffs.

I do not condone the current mess.

Nor do I. Tariffs are only one very obvious part of the current mess... but they're not the only part of the current mess. Further detail would veer squarely into politics.

The global instability is scary and I do not think most people really understand it in the way that should have them terrified.

Yup.

 

[Myrdin Potter]

I am Canadian and moved to the USA as an adult and eventually became a US Citizen. I lived in Asia twice (China for the longest). I travelled and worked in the UK and central Europe and I speak French well. Blanket statements about how much the USA was liked and trusted are at best wishful thinking in my experience. I found it to be the opposite in many cases. I also have had to move products all over the world and when living as an expat tried to get US goods. There does seem to be a structural bias against the USA for many things.

These certainly are trying times for many fairly small businesses, but the problem did not begin with the recent change in Presidents in the USA. He certainly kicked the anthill but the ants were already raiding each other and burrowing around against each other for quite a long time.