The latest development in the US tariff situation has placed an $80 flat free on all imported packages, even if the tariff would normally be lower.
Two weeks ago, the US announced that the 'de minimis' tariff exception on packages under $800 would be ended, affecting individual game orders as well as the previously-tariffed stock shipments from game publishers,
The latest piece of legislation issued from the US administration says that packages below $800 will face either a duty equal to the tariff rate applicable to the country of origin of the product OR a specific surcharge ranging from $80 to $200 per package.
The surcharge depends on the tariff currently being imposed on the origin country. For tariff rates under 16% (such as the UK), the surcharge is $80. For those with a tariff rate between 16% and 25%, it is $160. And if the tariff is over 25%, the surcharge is $200.
Additionally, any goods which are 'transhipped' (i.e. sent via a lower tariff country) will attract a punitive 40% tariff.
These flat-rate surcharges are being applied because the US customs infrastructure is not able to cope with the volume of imported packages. It is intended to avoid logjams at port by simplifying the process.
As before, as yet there is no tariff on books; the tariffs apply to games with non-book components.
Executive Order Excerpt
(c) A specific duty shall be assessed on each package containing goods entered for consumption, based on the effective IEEPA tariff rate applicable to the country of origin of the product as follows:
(i) Countries with an effective IEEPA tariff rate of less than 16 percent: $80 per item;
(ii) Countries with an effective IEEPA tariff rate between 16 and 25 percent (inclusive): $160 per item; and
(iii) Countries with an effective IEEPA rate above 25 percent: $200 per item.
(d) For all international postal shipments subject to the methodologies described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the country of origin of the article must be declared to CBP.
(e) The specific duty methodology provided for in subsection (c) of this section shall be available for transportation carriers to select for a period of 6 months from the effective date of this order. After such time all shipments to the United States through the international postal network must comply with the ad valorem duty methodology in subsection (b) of this section.
(f) Shipments sent through the international postal network that are subject to antidumping and countervailing duties or a quota must continue to be entered under an appropriate entry type in ACE to the extent required by all applicable regulations.
(c) A specific duty shall be assessed on each package containing goods entered for consumption, based on the effective IEEPA tariff rate applicable to the country of origin of the product as follows:
(i) Countries with an effective IEEPA tariff rate of less than 16 percent: $80 per item;
(ii) Countries with an effective IEEPA tariff rate between 16 and 25 percent (inclusive): $160 per item; and
(iii) Countries with an effective IEEPA rate above 25 percent: $200 per item.
(d) For all international postal shipments subject to the methodologies described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the country of origin of the article must be declared to CBP.
(e) The specific duty methodology provided for in subsection (c) of this section shall be available for transportation carriers to select for a period of 6 months from the effective date of this order. After such time all shipments to the United States through the international postal network must comply with the ad valorem duty methodology in subsection (b) of this section.
(f) Shipments sent through the international postal network that are subject to antidumping and countervailing duties or a quota must continue to be entered under an appropriate entry type in ACE to the extent required by all applicable regulations.
