Tariffs, Tabletop RPGs, and What You Need to Know as a US Publisher (indie or large)

[Daniel D. Fox]

Wanna play a game of Tariffs & TTRPGs?

If you’re importing books, make sure your factory uses HTS code 9903.01.31, which classifies printed RPGs as exempt from reciprocal tariffs. I provide a full account of what you should do as an indie or bigger TTRPG publisher here: Tariffs, Tabletop RPGs, and What You Need to Know as a Publisher

But if you want the TL;DR version:

• Use the right HTS code: Make sure your factory lists 9903.01.31 on bills of lading and customs docs for books and printed RPG materials. This classification is broadly exempt from tariffs.
• Books are covered: Chapter 49 of the HTSUS makes clear that printed books and publications fall under the exempt categories.
• Communicate clearly: Don’t assume your factory knows this, spell it out to avoid delays, extra costs, or misclassification.
• De minimis exemption ends Aug 29: The old $800 duty-free threshold is gone. All imports, no matter how small, will now face tariffs.
• How to avoid surprise fees: Buy U.S.-made, shop local, or order through Amazon/retailers that warehouse in the States. Even small overseas orders (like a single T-shirt or handheld console) will now get hit with duties.

 

[Bagpuss]

• De minimis exemption ends Aug 29: The old $800 duty-free threshold is gone. All imports, no matter how small, will now face tariffs.
• How to avoid surprise fees: Buy U.S.-made, shop local, or order through Amazon/retailers that warehouse in the States. Even small overseas orders (like a single T-shirt or handheld console) will now get hit with duties.

Also they these small orders aren't getting hit with whatever the duty should be, but a minimum $80 fee, larger for larger packages, even if the duty should be less.

Supposedly this is a stop gap measure until the systems are in place to apply the correct duty to smaller shipments. How long that will be who knows, the reason "de minimis" existed in the first place is the cost of collecting duties on smaller packages was higher than the duty you would have collected. With the flat fee, and higher tariffs I assume that's no longer the case.

 

[numtini]

It's my understanding that the US is now insisting that small package tariffs be collected when they are received for shipping, so other postal services need to implement the procedures do this, and don't really have the information they need to do so. As a result, many countries' postal services, including most of Europe, have simply stopped shipping small packages to the US.