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

Alan Edward Klein · May 25, 2025

B.S.Kumar said:
There is a legal loophole here, which lets the country that made the "last substantial transformation" be regarded as the country of origin.
See here: https://taxation-customs.ec.europa....origin-goods/non-preferential-rules-origin_en
This loophole allows luxury items manufactured in low cost countries to be imported into high cost countries where a small finishing process is carried out and marked as originating in the high cost country.

It is also the basis for classifying items that have components from two or more countries. For example, most large format lenses including those manufactured in Germany were mounted in Copal shutters that were made in Japan. For some lenses at least, it is possible that the cost of the cells is far less than the cost of the shutter. Yet, the lens is considered to be manufactured in Germany.

However, the November 2024 judgment in the Harley Davidson case regarding motorcycles "manufactured" in Thailand to avoid the punitive duties imposed on US manufactured motorcycles ruled that the origin of such items would be determined on the basis of the origin of the major portion of its parts.
See: https://www.cassidylevy.com/news/eu...case-on-last-substantial-transformation-test/

It would be interesting to see how luxury brands mark their goods in the coming years.

Kumar

Vietnam has agreed to discuss this issue with the US to get some relief from high US tariffs for this very reason. Vietnam doesn't want these high tariffs applied to its actual, home-made products. So, it appears to be willing to stop this shady practice of transshipping Chinese-made goods. We'll see what happens. What's interesting is that much of Japanese products are made today in Vietnam, China and Thailand. If deals aren't made, Japan could start manufacturing more of their photo products at home again.

B.S.Kumar · May 25, 2025

What China is doing in Vietnam is trans-shipment, swapping or adding "Made in Vietnam" labels. That is actually illegal and Vietnam is taking steps to combat that practice. I also learned about something called "tariff engineering", where products are designed to take advantage of lower tariffs legally.
See this example: https://www.marketplace.org/story/2...a-shirt-has-a-tiny-pocket-near-your-waistline

Japanese products are made in other countries not only due to high labor costs in Japan, but also a shortage of skilled technical workers, which is directly related to the declining population. This was also the main reason for Toyo shutting down. While companies like Canon and Nikon do have highly automated processes, a large number of skilled workers are also required for assembly and testing. Like most developed countries, young Japanese don't want to work in assembly lines. A recent survey of Japanese elementary and middle school students showed that becoming a YouTuber or VTuber was more popular than becoming a doctor. The most popular profession was school teacher, which is some consolation. But becoming a carpenter, train driver or mechanic was way down the list.

Kumar

chuckroast · May 25, 2025

B.S.Kumar said:
What China is doing in Vietnam is trans-shipment, swapping or adding "Made in Vietnam" labels. That is actually illegal and Vietnam is taking steps to combat that practice. I also learned about something called "tariff engineering", where products are designed to take advantage of lower tariffs legally.
See this example: https://www.marketplace.org/story/2...a-shirt-has-a-tiny-pocket-near-your-waistline

Japanese products are made in other countries not only due to high labor costs in Japan, but also a shortage of skilled technical workers, which is directly related to the declining population. This was also the main reason for Toyo shutting down. While companies like Canon and Nikon do have highly automated processes, a large number of skilled workers are also required for assembly and testing. Like most developed countries, young Japanese don't want to work in assembly lines. A recent survey of Japanese elementary and middle school students showed that becoming a YouTuber or VTuber was more popular than becoming a doctor. The most popular profession was school teacher, which is some consolation. But becoming a carpenter, train driver or mechanic was way down the list.

Kumar

This population implosion is well on it's way to affecting the UK and EU as well. One wonders what will happen to, say, Leica and Zeiss when the have a hard time sourcing the electronics from Panasonic and Sony, and their lenses and mechanicals in Germany.

With a fertility rate of 2.1 being needed for a stable population, the numbers are not encouraging:

runswithsizzers · May 25, 2025

I was just now shopping online for used cameras, and I'm afraid the current uncertainty has affected my willingness to purchase anything from outside the US. In other words, the possibility of unexpected charges adding complexity and costs to an international purchase has killed any willingness I had to buy used cameras from Canada or Japan, regardless of whatever the reality may be.

chuckroast · May 25, 2025

runswithsizzers said:
I was just now shopping online for used cameras, and I'm afraid the current uncertainty has affected my willingness to purchase anything from outside the US. In other words, the possibility of unexpected charges adding complexity and costs to an international purchase has killed any willingness I had to buy used cameras from Canada or Japan, regardless of whatever the reality may be.

I just had a camera case delivered from China via Amazon purchase and the transaction was unremarkable. It may be that it fit under the current di minimis value (whatever that is today)...

lecarp · May 25, 2025

According to the White House web page the di minimis still applies to items $800.00 and under from countries other than China and Hong Kong.
Supposedly items sent international postal service from China incur 30% of value or 25.00 per item.

cmacd123 · May 26, 2025

BrianShaw said:
Perhaps manufacturers should produce the equivalent of a genealogical tree or DNA report for their products. The manufacturing and supply chain engineers should already have that information.

Except that each batch if parts might come from different place! think of a CPU chip, Etched in Taiwan, but tested and packed in El Salvador, or Malaysia, or Canada or Singapore. the testing adds to the value and that CPU might be the most expensive part of the gizmo, which is built in Wales and put in case in India. Each Gizmo off the line may have a chip marked with a different country

cmacd123 · May 26, 2025

chuckroast said:
This population implosion is well on it's way to affecting the UK and EU as well. One wonders what will happen to, say, Leica and Zeiss when the have a hard time sourcing the electronics from Panasonic and Sony, and their lenses and mechanicals in Germany.

With a fertility rate of 2.1 being needed for a stable population, the numbers are not encouraging:

View attachment 399401

That was the reason given decades ago for Rolei to start making Cameras in Singapore

chuckroast · May 26, 2025

cmacd123 said:
Except that each batch if parts might come from different place! think of a CPU chip, Etched in Taiwan, but tested and packed in El Salvador, or Malaysia, or Canada or Singapore. the testing adds to the value and that CPU might be the most expensive part of the gizmo, which is built in Wales and put in case in India. Each Gizmo off the line may have a chip marked with a different country

Exactly this. Modern supply chains are deeply intertwined complex systems.

If you are interested in how all this works and some of the geopolitics driving the whole business, I cannot recommend Zeihan's "End Of The World Is Just Beginning" highly enough. His premises are not necessarily proven, but his explanation of how supply chains evolved and how they work today is the best I've read. It's a fascinating read even though, like I said, I'm not sure I buy his central thesis.

cmacd123 · May 26, 2025

Alan Edward Klein said:
What's interesting is that much of Japanese products are made today in Vietnam, China and Thailand. If deals aren't made, Japan could start manufacturing more of their photo products at home again.

Over the weekend the latest word was the powers in the US were wanting to Tackle Honda, Not sure if it Is JUST the Cars they make here in Canada, or more aimed at Japanese produced products. The situation changes week by minute

chuckroast · May 26, 2025

cmacd123 said:
Over the weekend the latest word was the powers in the US were wanting to Tackle Honda, Not sure if it Is JUST the Cars they make here in Canada, or more aimed at Japanese produced products. The situation changes week by minute

BMW and Toyota have significant auto factories in the US. Not sure if Honda still does.

abruzzi · May 26, 2025

chuckroast said:
BMW and Toyota have significant auto factories in the US. Not sure if Honda still does.

Yup:

Manufacturing - Honda In America

hondainamerica.com

cmacd123 · May 26, 2025

chuckroast said:
BMW and Toyota have significant auto factories in the US. Not sure if Honda still does.

they do. I recall I had a neighbor 30 years ago who has a temporary diplomatic Resident, and he mentioned that he had to do some Gymnastics to get the dealer to get him a new US built Honda, as otherwise the model he wanted was built in Alison Ontario.

B.S.Kumar · May 26, 2025

cmacd123 said:
The situation changes week by minute

Exactly!

mshchem · May 26, 2025

I have to think about Leica, managing to somehow stay in business. Making M series film and digital cameras, then out of the blue a 50% tariff is proposed. Goodness such nonsense.

I better order my M11P Safari edition before July

mshchem · May 26, 2025

chuckroast said:
This population implosion is well on it's way to affecting the UK and EU as well. One wonders what will happen to, say, Leica and Zeiss when the have a hard time sourcing the electronics from Panasonic and Sony, and their lenses and mechanicals in Germany.

With a fertility rate of 2.1 being needed for a stable population, the numbers are not encouraging:

View attachment 399401

Go France!!! But of course.

Truzi · May 27, 2025

chuckroast said:
BMW and Toyota have significant auto factories in the US. Not sure if Honda still does.

I believe Honda have two here in Ohio.

Dan Fromm · May 27, 2025

In addition, Honda makes small engines, lawn mowers, motor generator sets, ... in the US.

cmacd123 · May 27, 2025

pehaps getting off topic but i mention it mostly because it is easy to check this stuff

but acording to google's AI

In USA
AI Overview
Learn more

Honda has 12 manufacturing plants in the U.S. These plants are located in Ohio, Alabama, Indiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Honda also has several engine and transmission plants in Ohio, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the Honda manufacturing facilities in the U.S.:

Automobile Plants:

Marysville, Ohio: Produces the Honda Accord, Acura TLX, and other models.
East Liberty, Ohio: Assembles the Honda CR-V, Acura RDX, and Acura MDX.
Lincoln, Alabama: Assembles the Honda Odyssey and Acura MDX.
Greensburg, Indiana: Produces the Honda Civic Hatchback and CR-V.
Timmonsville, South Carolina: Produces All-Terrain Vehicles.
Swepsonville, North Carolina: Assembles power equipment.
Greensboro, North Carolina: Assembles power equipment.

Engine and Transmission Plants:

Anna, Ohio: Produces L4 and V6 engines, as well as CVT pulleys.
Russells Point, Ohio: Assembles automobile automatic transmissions.
Tallapoosa, Georgia: Assembles automobile automatic transmissions.
Burlington, North Carolina: Produces parts and components.

and here in Canada

AI Overview
Learn more

Honda vehicles for the Canadian market are assembled in Alliston, Ontario at the Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) plant. This facility has been producing vehicles for the Canadian market since 1986. Specifically, the Honda Civic and CR-V are manufactured at this plant. In addition to these models, the plant has historically produced other vehicles like the Accord, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline, Acura EL, CSX, MDX, and ZDX. The Alliston plant is also the global lead facility for the sixth-generation CR-V and the North American lead facility for the CR-V Hybrid.

mehguy · Jun 4, 2025

There is a new place to buy film, at least in Canada at a very good price. it seems like they have just launched last month and I've placed an order and received it ok:

Great Canadian Main Page - Great Canadian Film Warehouse

Great Canadian Film Warehouse Canada’s most affordable place to buy film Buy the film you love at a reasonable price and support Canadian Browse Film

www.filmwarehouse.ca

they currently have a special-buy on Ultrafine Finesse 400 @ 6 loonies. Also other short-dated stock that is good for the budget-conscious buyer, especially in the post-covid world.

Chuck1 · Jun 11, 2025

I just received an item from England, didn't choose DHL and no additional fees

mshchem · Jun 11, 2025

All the Feds are busy in LA. Probably a good time to get an order in from B&H

Sirius Glass · Jun 12, 2025

Not photography related, but the price of drugs ordered from Canada and the UK have doubled in the last month for some drugs.

Kodachromeguy · Jun 13, 2025

For USA buyers, I just received a $325 lens from Japan. No extra fees and delivery in 3 days!!

Andrew O'Neill · Jun 13, 2025

runswithsizzers said:
I was just now shopping online for used cameras, and I'm afraid the current uncertainty has affected my willingness to purchase anything from outside the US. In other words, the possibility of unexpected charges adding complexity and costs to an international purchase has killed any willingness I had to buy used cameras from Canada or Japan, regardless of whatever the reality may be.

I feel the same way. I have stopped buying anything from the US (including food products at the grocery store). I continue to buy photo related products from Japan, mainly. At least that way, there won't be any surprises. That won't change either, even if the tariffs are removed.

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

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