Individual purchases from sellers in Canada... anyone know what the tariff situation is now?

Michael Mutmansky · May 9, 2025

Folks,

I'm looking at some lenses and other gear for LF shooting and I need a basic understanding of the tariffs for a person-to-person purchase from Canada to know whether sellers there are a viable option for me.

As I understand it, Japan still is applying the de minimis thresholds and for lower priced items that means no tariff. Over $800, I think it's 10%? not 100% sure on that.

For Canada, I think the US have eliminated the de minimis thresholds but what isn't clear to me is whether film photo gear actually has a tariff anyway... some line items in the HTS for camera gear don't have a tariff, but others do. Can anyone point me to how much I should be expecting to be paying if I'm buying from someone in Canada?

I think the HTS is 9002.11.90 for lenses: for cameras: other, but not sure.

Harmonized Tariff Schedule

hts.usitc.gov

Lastly, the country of manufacture is Japan (Fujinon and Nikkor LF lenses), so does that impact things? I used to not fret this, but I don't want to be surprised with a 45% tariff on a lens which would make it much more expensive than buying from a used dealer in the US.

Thanks,

---Michael

abruzzi · May 9, 2025

the tariff should be based on country of manufacture, not where you are buying from. Thats dependant on the seller correctly marking the origin on the paperwork. I thought officially de minimum is gone everywhere, but there is the possible issue that it takes time for a large org like CBP to implement changes. I haven't got anything international since "liberation day", so I don't know the facts on the ground.

Michael Mutmansky · May 9, 2025

Thanks for that information. I was thinking it should be tied to the country of origin, but then I saw a comment somewhere else that they could feasibly apply BOTH the country of origin and the "shipping from" country tariffs... grrr.

Chuck1 · May 9, 2025

I think the de minimus rule is history.
Something I saw on the news led me to believe that there could be a $100 fee to clear customs (just in case the tariffs don't generate enough additional) not sure if it's one or the other...

Dave Ludwig · May 9, 2025

Just received several pkg of NOS film holders from Canada, no tariff. Originally US made and under $100. Do not know if value has anything to do with tariffs.

MattKing · May 10, 2025

Dave Ludwig said:
Just received several pkg of NOS film holders from Canada, no tariff. Originally US made and under $100. Do not know if value has anything to do with tariffs.

Theoretically, the fact that the film is US made should mean that the duty rate specified in the tariff is zero.
When it is shipped, the documentation is supposed to indicate the country of origin. The tariff provisions will specify what duty rate applies to that country, and that should determine how much duty is charged.
There are other logistical issues though. The USA has had until recently a de minimis threshold for small importations. Below that threshold the old provisions provided for no duty amount due, no matter the duty rate. It appears that there is an attempt to remove the de minimis exception, but whether or not the systems are actually updated yet is still a question.
Many shipping services also levy a fee for dealing with the customs regulations.

Alan9940 · May 10, 2025

Chuck1 said:
I think the de minimus rule is history.

This is my understanding, too. I should have an Intrepid 8x10 heading my way in a couple of weeks and I'll be surprised if I don't get hit with the 10% vig.

blee1996 · May 10, 2025

Alan9940 said:
This is my understanding, too. I should have an Intrepid 8x10 heading my way in a couple of weeks and I'll be surprised if I don't get hit with the 10% vig.

You could buy Intrepid 8x10 from B&H as well, they have it in stock.

Kino · May 10, 2025

My Vist 8x10 just arrived from Lithuania with no tariff duties.

Everything is so scrambled at the ports, I don't know if any of these duties are actually being collected...

Alan9940 · May 10, 2025

blee1996 said:
You could buy Intrepid 8x10 from B&H as well, they have it in stock.

Didn't know B&H sold Intrepid cameras. However, I just checked and the one I wanted (Black Edition) is currently out of stock.

Having to pay the 10% vig ain't all that bad as Intrepid extended a 10% discount + free shipping to USA buyers during the month of April.

blee1996 · May 10, 2025

Alan9940 said:
Didn't know B&H sold Intrepid cameras. However, I just checked and the one I wanted (Black Edition) is currently out of stock.

Having to pay the 10% vig ain't all that bad as Intrepid extended a 10% discount + free shipping to USA buyers during the month of April.

Sorry I might have bought the last 8x10 All Black version from B&H. ;-)

Michael Mutmansky · May 11, 2025

I'll report back on this... I have a lens coming from Canada through Canada Post I think, so we'll see how things go. I hope I don't regret it...

I also have a few coming from Japan, so I'll have some info from there as well.

ivan35mm · May 11, 2025

My understanding of the situation is that if the items were originally manufacture in China, they will be hit with the 124% tariff. Thus the stress of importance on "Country of Manufacturing" being properly labelled on the customs forms.

I'm currently living in Spain, and since 2021, all packages entering the EU from non-EU countries have been hit with Customs, Duties and VAT fees. It's a nightmare. I don't even order from outside the EU anymore. However, being from Michigan originally, I still send some packages to my parents place, but in the future, will be very hesitant ordering from outside the USA...

mshchem · May 11, 2025

ivan35mm said:
My understanding of the situation is that if the items were originally manufacture in China, they will be hit with the 124% tariff. Thus the stress of importance on "Country of Manufacturing" being properly labelled on the customs forms.

I'm currently living in Spain, and since 2021, all packages entering the EU from non-EU countries have been hit with Customs, Duties and VAT fees. It's a nightmare. I don't even order from outside the EU anymore. However, being from Michigan originally, I still send some packages to my parents place, but in the future, will be very hesitant ordering from outside the USA...

So isn't the VAT the majority of the extra fee? I thought before the current situation that going from USA to Europe was no duties on most items??

ivan35mm · May 11, 2025

mshchem said:
So isn't the VAT the majority of the extra fee? I thought before the current situation that going from USA to Europe was no duties on most items??

To be completely honest, I never know what to expect when ordering from the UK, USA or Japan -> Spain....

The current "rules" are that any packages under €150 doesn't have to pay VAT and/or customs fees, however, at least in Spain, this is not true. I've had to pay upwards of €50 fees on packages that were labeled as €10 gifts from my family (postcards, birthday presents, etc).

I've also read that packages under €45 euros are exempt from fees. But like I stated above, this isn't the case either.

It's a "big money no whammies no whammies stop" situation *sigh*

mshchem · May 11, 2025

ivan35mm said:
To be completely honest, I never know what to expect when ordering from the UK, USA or Japan -> Spain....

The current "rules" are that any packages under €150 doesn't have to pay VAT and/or customs fees, however, at least in Spain, this is not true. I've had to pay upwards of €50 fees on packages that were labeled as €10 gifts from my family (postcards, birthday presents, etc).

I've also read that packages under €45 euros are exempt from fees. But like I stated above, this isn't the case either.

It's a "big money no whammies no whammies stop" situation *sigh*

We should start a smuggling operation

ivan35mm · May 11, 2025

mshchem said:
We should start a smuggling operation

I'm in the process of having my mother send a package of camera accessories to my cousin in LA, who will give it to a friend that is visiting LA from Germany. Said friend will then fly the camera items back to Berlin, and then ship them to Madrid.

And honestly, it's worth it.

Having my mother send me items to Spain is not worth the time, hassle and money. Customs would hold the package for 3~ weeks, demanding I submit form after form of paperwork to prove the contents and value of the package. Then they will assign a fee (which I honestly believe is selected at random, on some sort of "Wheel of Fortune") After paying said fee, I'll have to wait an additional week just for the item to start moving again. It's hellish.

I really feel for what most Americans will soon be experiencing with these outlandish fees.

Sirius Glass · May 11, 2025

The tariff issues generate pain on both sides of the border.

B.S.Kumar · May 11, 2025

I ship at least one package a day worldwide from Japan via the post office and UPS. So far, no individual customer in the US has reported having to pay any duty. My commercial customers organize their own shipping via FedEx. In the rest of the world, it is business as usual, with the normal charges that have been applied for years.

Some things to remember:

1. It is important to declare the item's HTS Code and "Country of Origin" correctly. The "Country of Origin" refers to the country where the item was manufactured, not the country from where the item was shipped.

2. I do not know about other countries, but for the past 4 or 5 years, Japan has the EAD (Electronic Advance Data) system in place, where details of the item being shipped are transmitted to the importing country's customs authorities before the package actually leaves Japan. Importers in Canada can avoid the courier's brokerage and handling fees by paying customs duties directly to the customs office. Find out if a similar facility is available in your country.

3. VAT or its equivalent is the single largest component of the charges paid by the importer. VAT is charged without fail, unless the item falls within the threshold (now eliminated in many EU countries). The actual customs duties in the EU are an average of 5%. Brokerage charges are usually a flat fee that varies by country.

4. Finally, remember that customs duties and VAT are charged on "value", not on the declared price of the item. VAT is "Value Added Tax". "Value" is usually calculated on the declared price plus shipping and insurance. An item has "value" only when it is used by the importer, and for that to happen, the item must be physically shipped to the importer. Ergo, the cost of shipping adds value. Customs relies on the declared value of an item as a matter of expediency and does not have to take the declared value as the actual value. Customs officers are knowledgeable. There is no rule preventing them from being photographers!
If you import a Linhof Master Technika with a declared value of €100, don't be surprised to receive a letter asking you to prove the payment, along with details of all the payments you may have made in that month/quarter/year to see if you have evaded duties. The consequences can be slightly painful, not only for the importer, but also the exporter, which is why I do not misdeclare the value of the items I sell, or misdeclare them as gifts.

Kumar

mshchem · May 12, 2025

I've bought several items from Japan based sellers over the years. Only issues I've had were when the item wasn't coded correctly. Happened a couple times, possibly less experienced sellers. I have bought many times from MAP camera, never any issue at all.
I see now that MAP is stating that an estimated 10-13% Import Fee will apply to US customers (when using Ebay, State sales tax, 6% in Iowa, is collected by eBay).
Not sure what this means in practice. If I buy an item I am required to pay state sales tax, even if the seller is a private party. Usually hits when a vehicle is sold used. So every time a vehicle is sold the state gets 6% of the sale price.....For eternity

Sirius Glass · May 12, 2025

B.S.Kumar said:
I ship at least one package a day worldwide from Japan via the post office and UPS. So far, no individual customer in the US has reported having to pay any duty. My commercial customers organize their own shipping via FedEx. In the rest of the world, it is business as usual, with the normal charges that have been applied for years.

Some things to remember:

1. It is important to declare the item's HTS Code and "Country of Origin" correctly. The "Country of Origin" refers to the country where the item was manufactured, not the country from where the item was shipped.

2. I do not know about other countries, but for the past 4 or 5 years, Japan has the EAD (Electronic Advance Data) system in place, where details of the item being shipped are transmitted to the importing country's customs authorities before the package actually leaves Japan. Importers in Canada can avoid the courier's brokerage and handling fees by paying customs duties directly to the customs office. Find out if a similar facility is available in your country.

3. VAT or its equivalent is the single largest component of the charges paid by the importer. VAT is charged without fail, unless the item falls within the threshold (now eliminated in many EU countries). The actual customs duties in the EU are an average of 5%. Brokerage charges are usually a flat fee that varies by country.

4. Finally, remember that customs duties and VAT are charged on "value", not on the declared price of the item. VAT is "Value Added Tax". "Value" is usually calculated on the declared price plus shipping and insurance. An item has "value" only when it is used by the importer, and for that to happen, the item must be physically shipped to the importer. Ergo, the cost of shipping adds value. Customs relies on the declared value of an item as a matter of expediency and does not have to take the declared value as the actual value. Customs officers are knowledgeable. There is no rule preventing them from being photographers!
If you import a Linhof Master Technika with a declared value of €100, don't be surprised to receive a letter asking you to prove the payment, along with details of all the payments you may have made in that month/quarter/year to see if you have evaded duties. The consequences can be slightly painful, not only for the importer, but also the exporter, which is why I do not misdeclare the value of the items I sell, or misdeclare them as gifts.

Kumar

That is good to know. The longer it stays this way, the better.

chuckroast · May 12, 2025

B.S.Kumar said:
I ship at least one package a day worldwide from Japan via the post office and UPS. So far, no individual customer in the US has reported having to pay any duty. My commercial customers organize their own shipping via FedEx. In the rest of the world, it is business as usual, with the normal charges that have been applied for years.

Some things to remember:

1. It is important to declare the item's HTS Code and "Country of Origin" correctly. The "Country of Origin" refers to the country where the item was manufactured, not the country from where the item was shipped.

2. I do not know about other countries, but for the past 4 or 5 years, Japan has the EAD (Electronic Advance Data) system in place, where details of the item being shipped are transmitted to the importing country's customs authorities before the package actually leaves Japan. Importers in Canada can avoid the courier's brokerage and handling fees by paying customs duties directly to the customs office. Find out if a similar facility is available in your country.

3. VAT or its equivalent is the single largest component of the charges paid by the importer. VAT is charged without fail, unless the item falls within the threshold (now eliminated in many EU countries). The actual customs duties in the EU are an average of 5%. Brokerage charges are usually a flat fee that varies by country.

4. Finally, remember that customs duties and VAT are charged on "value", not on the declared price of the item. VAT is "Value Added Tax". "Value" is usually calculated on the declared price plus shipping and insurance. An item has "value" only when it is used by the importer, and for that to happen, the item must be physically shipped to the importer. Ergo, the cost of shipping adds value. Customs relies on the declared value of an item as a matter of expediency and does not have to take the declared value as the actual value. Customs officers are knowledgeable. There is no rule preventing them from being photographers!
If you import a Linhof Master Technika with a declared value of €100, don't be surprised to receive a letter asking you to prove the payment, along with details of all the payments you may have made in that month/quarter/year to see if you have evaded duties. The consequences can be slightly painful, not only for the importer, but also the exporter, which is why I do not misdeclare the value of the items I sell, or misdeclare them as gifts.

Kumar

A few of updates per my research within the last 48hrs:

The US pretty much has settled on 10% tariffs where they apply
China and HK were much higher until this weekend when they also went to 10% for at least 90 days
De minimus limits are $800 (per day, per day, per package) and remain in place, but I don't know if they apply to China/HK after this past weekend
VAT is a UK/EU thing and are assessed universally in those regions at the prevailing rate as a sort of national sales tax, no matter where you live within the region.
The US has no national sales tax and instead taxation varies by state and - in some cases - within locales' within the state. It used to be that if you bought on, say, eBay, you could avoid this, but the states losing tax revenue got whiny about it and now eBay assesses relevant local/state tax on all US transactions regardless of the country from which the item is purchased.
Some people avoid local/state taxes by having their shipping address be to a relative or friend within the US in a low/no-tax state and then having it shipped once in country to their actual address by said family or friend. Some states have so-called "Use Taxes" where you are supposed to voluntarily declare things you acquired out of state and then brought into your state without paying tax. I suspect that voluntary compliance rate may not be high, but I don't know.

BrianShaw · May 12, 2025

chuckroast said:
De minimus limits are $800 (per day, per day, per package) and remain in place, but I don't know if they apply to China/HK after this past weekend

As of April 2, 2025:

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Closes De Minimis Exemptions to Combat China’s Role in America’s Synthetic Opioid Crisis

CLOSING LOOPHOLES IN THE TARIFF SYSTEM: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order eliminating duty-free de minimis treatment for

www.whitehouse.gov

It is unlikely to change once the implementation date occurs but who knows these things for sure?

B.S.Kumar · May 12, 2025

chuckroast said:
[*]VAT is a UK/EU thing and are assessed universally in those regions at the prevailing rate as a sort of national sales tax, no matter where you live within the region.

VAT / GST is a national tax in almost all countries except the US which has a state-wise sales tax.

Kumar

chuckroast · May 12, 2025

B.S.Kumar said:
VAT / GST is a national tax in almost all countries except the US which has a state-wise sales tax.

Kumar

It's worse than that. Sales tax in the US can vary intra-state base on locale. You can literally cross a city and/or county line and encounter different rates of taxation. For example, I used to live in the state of IL and I always said that corruption must be expensive given how the tax system worked. (IL is noteworthy for the number of its governors, judges, and city legislators that have ended up in jail. So much so that there is a bumper sticker to the effect of "Illinois: Where the governors make the license plates.)

There are companies like Avalara that actually specialize in providing up-to-date taxation calculations for eCommerce vendors because it's so complicated.

Individual purchases from sellers in Canada... anyone know what the tariff situation is now?

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