Once again, import fees for USA buyers of Japanese equipment post August 29, 2025

[RezaLoghme]

Duty, if necessary, is paid by the recipient on arrival. The new American tariffs must be paid before the item is accepted for being sent from the seller. As Milpool has said, this means that, in our case, Canada Post must, through it's agents, take the tariff money before it accepts the package. If the US agent that receives the item judges the item is labelled wrongly then it refuses the package and the Canadian agent (Canada Post) must store it safely it until the problem is solved, which it has no facilities to do.
Therefor the tariff charge must be the highest possible to avoid refusal at the US border.
You don't seem to go beyond the dictionary definition of duty and tariffs without appreciating the practical difference, particularly since the US has decided, uniquely, that the tariffs must be collected in the sending country before the item enters the postal system, regardless of the duty rate. Nor do the documents you quote in any way address the Tariff rates which are independent of duty rates

So lets take the example of a 1000 EUR Rolleiflex made in Germany, imported to the U.S. and walk through the steps of a real-life case. From purchase to declaration etc.
THIS WAS ASSISTED BY AI AND MAY CONTAIN INACCURACIES

 

[RezaLoghme]

Let’s take a concrete example — a €1000 Rolleiflex made in Germany — and walk through what actually happens in 2025 when it’s sent to the U.S.
THIS WAS ASSISTED BY AI AND MAY CONTAIN INACCURACIES

1. Seller prepares the parcel
They have to declare:
• Country of origin: Germany
• Item category / HTS code: typically under 9006.xx (film still camera)
• Item value: €1000

New tarrif for imports from EU (acc. to. koraks): 15%.

2. Package enters the postal/export system
Postal operators don’t make up fictional tariffs; they apply the tariff corresponding to the declared HTS code and origin. 15% (see above)
Plus any tariff-/customs-related handling fees imposed by shipping companies, customs officials, and/or import agents.

3. Arrival in the U.S.
CBP receives the parcel. Two possibilities:
• Declaration matches the item: CBP clears it.
• Declaration is wrong: CBP can reclassify, inspect, or return it.

4. What happens if tariffs change during shipment?
In theory, yes, an extra punitive tariff could be introduced while the parcel is in transit.
In practice:
• U.S. tariff changes are usually announced with lead time.
• Punitive tariffs target strategic sectors (autos, steel, EV batteries), not vintage cameras.
• Germany/Japan consumer-grade photographic goods have not been singled out in 2025.

5. Worst-case scenario calculation
Let’s assume a dramatic, sudden 25% punitive tariff on German goods — highly unlikely, but for argument’s sake:

25% of €1000 = €250 (≈ $270 USD).
That’s the absolute ceiling of “damage.”
This is nowhere near the catastrophic uncertainty being described.

 

[koraks]

Have I missed something?

Maybe that you rely a bit heavily on AI generated responses that may not be accurate.

Could you at least mark everything you wuoye from AI as such, please? That way it's clear for all hat we're looking at.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Maybe that you rely a bit heavily on AI generated responses that may not be accurate.

Could you at least mark everything you wuoye from AI as such, please? That way it's clear for all hat we're looking at.

I am not a native English speaker hence I use AI for making technical posts easier to read for everyone.

Which part (1.-5.) of the longer post is not accurate? Happy to stand corrected. I can edit the post if needed.

 

[koraks]

I am not a native English speaker hence I use AI for making technical posts easier to read for everyone.

There's a big difference between using something like Google translate and posting the output you get from eg ChatGPT after prompting it with your question. It's clear you're doing the latter. Please make that explicit in your posts.

 

[BrianShaw]

So lets take the example of a 1000 EUR Rolleiflex made in Germany, imported to the U.S. and walk through the steps of a real-life case. From purchase to declaration etc.

You’re not wrong. What really is affecting small purchases, like a film camera to folks like us, is having to pay any tarrif at all. In the past there was no assessment if the value was below $800. Now everything gets hit with an assessment (and the associated processing fees). In the grand scheme of things it’s chump-change. At an individual level is more than before.

 

[RezaLoghme]

There's a big difference between using something like Google translate and posting the output you get from eg ChatGPT after prompting it with your question. It's clear you're doing the latter. Please make that explicit in your posts.

Sure.

So in the 1.-5. steps, which part was inaccurate? So I can remove/edit it?

 

[koraks]

@RezaLoghme do you refuse to comply with my request to mark the AI output you've inserted into your posts as such?

 

[BrianShaw]

I am not a native English speaker hence I use AI for making technical posts easier to read for everyone.

Which part (1.-5.) of the longer post is not accurate? Happy to stand corrected. I can edit the post if needed.

Did you include this? From AI…

• • Baseline Tariff:
    The U.S. imposed a 15% import tariff on most goods from the European Union, including Germany, following a July 2025 trade deal.

 

[RezaLoghme]

@RezaLoghme do you refuse to comply with my request to mark the AI output you've inserted into your posts as such?

I have now done so. English isn’t my first language, so I use a writing tool to make some of my posts clearer. The content and reasoning are still mine.

If we go back to the 1.-5. steps from above, which detail of them would you like to correct?

 

[koraks]

which detail of them would you like to correct?

For instance, this bit:

Under the 2025 rules, postal operators collect U.S. tariffs upfront if a tariff applies.
For a German-made, pre-owned camera, the applicable tariff rate today is 0%.
So the amount collected is 0.

There's no support for your (AI's) claim that the second hand camera isn't subject to the default 15% "reciprocal" tariff that's been in effect since August 2025.

Try prompting your AI with something like "hey, about that 0% tariff, is that actually correct, because there's also this 15% reciprocal tariff in effect; is this camera exempt?" See what happens. FYI: when I asked Copilot to get a feeling for what you may be running into, I also initially got a promising "oh no worries, there's no tariff in effect on this purchase." Only after pushing a little further, the hallicunations became a little less and Copilot started to sing a different tune - one that does involve a 15% tariff and also a statement that it doesn't matter one whit whether the camera is pre-owned or not.

Like I said before, you're relying a little heavily on what AI feeds you. The fact that it can make its answers sound very convincing, doesn't make them 100% accurate. Especially not in this case, where causality and chronology matter a lot. Present day LLM's aren't very good at dealing with those.

 

[RezaLoghme]

For instance, this bit:

There's no support for your (AI's) claim that the second hand camera isn't subject to the default 15% "reciprocal" tariff that's been in effect since August 2025.

Happy to correct anything that is factually wrong — but can you point me to an official source confirming the 15% reciprocal tariff on EU goods that you refer to?

I’m not aware of any such tariff in the Federal Register or HTSUS updates. If you have a link, I’ll adjust my post accordingly.

Or do you mean the 15% tariff cap? The "maximum basic tariff rate of 15% for EU exports" (KPMG)? A cap is a maximum, and 0% tariffs for, say, cameras, remain 0%.

 

[koraks]

For Pete's sake; you do your own research. Yes, there's a 15% tariff in place; it was introduced as a 20% rate in April and then dropped to 15% after negotiations over summer between the EU and the US. It doesn't distinguish between second hand and new equipment and a Hasselblad camera is not exempt.

 

[RezaLoghme]

For Pete's sake; you do your own research. Yes, there's a 15% tariff in place; it was introduced as a 20% rate in April and then dropped to 15% after negotiations over summer between the EU and the US. It doesn't distinguish between second hand and new equipment and a Hasselblad camera is not exempt.

Thanks for the clarification, Koraks. To be precise, the 15% maximum tariff for EU goods is a cap, not a blanket applied duty. For pre-owned film cameras (HTS 9006.xx), customs practice and HTS tables still indicate 0% duty. Unless someone applies a special surcharge or misclassifies the item, there’s no actual 15% tariff applied in practice.

 

[koraks]

To be precise, the 15% maximum tariff for EU goods is a cap

No, it's not. It's a fixed rate; any pre-existing tariffs lower than this are automatically raised to be 15%.

Stop posting stuff you've made up or that have been fed to you by dubious sources.

 

[BrianShaw]

This is getting a bit silly - attacking information sources rather than simply correcting factual errors and providing an official/valid source. Here is the official source. There probably is a similar EU source (there was in July 2025)

Federal Register :: Request Access

www.federalregister.gov

Joint Statement on a United States-European Union framework on an agreement on reciprocal, fair and balanced trade

The United States and the European Union are pleased to announce that they have agreed on a Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade ('Framework Agreement').

policy.trade.ec.europa.eu

 

[RezaLoghme]

No, it's not. It's a fixed rate; any pre-existing tariffs lower than this are automatically raised to be 15%.

Stop posting stuff you've made up or that have been fed to you by dubious sources.

Its reassuring that, given what you say, there is a flat 15%.
THen let me correct the 1,-5. steps from above.

I have now changed the details from 0% / exempt to the flat 15% you suggested. Anything else to edit?

 

[gbroadbridge]

This is getting a bit silly - attacking information sources rather than simply correcting factual errors and providing an official/valid source. Here is the official source.

That would require reading.

 

[koraks]

That would require reading.

Quite a bit of it, too. Although it's amusing. We'd learn, for instance, that certain propellers that aren't intended for aircraft are exempt as long as they're targeted for use in aircraft. But of course, we weren't supposed to say anything about things being vague, in flux etc. It's all crystal clear.

 

[BrianShaw]

That would require reading.

Because it's a lot of reading (and complicated reading too). AI Overview:

The EU-US reciprocal tariff situation in 2025 involves the U.S. imposing tariffs on EU goods to match EU tariffs, leading to a complex system where most EU products face an
additional 15% U.S. tariff (totaling 15% or more), with certain sectors like cars, aircraft, and pharmaceuticals receiving exemptions or reductions under a negotiated framework agreement, while the EU prepares to respond with its own reciprocal measures to balance trade. Key dates include April 2025 (initial U.S. announcement), August 7, 2025 (U.S. 15% rate effective), and August 21, 2025 (U.S.-EU framework agreement reached).
Key Developments in 2025:

1. Initial U.S. Announcement (April 2025): President Trump announced broad reciprocal tariffs, initially targeting a 10-20% additional duty on EU goods.
2. Implementation & Adjustments (August 2025):
   • A 15% "all-inclusive" ceiling was set for most EU goods.
   • Goods already paying over 15% duty faced no extra charge; those paying less had their duty raised to a combined 15%.
   • Tariffs on cars, auto parts, aircraft, and some pharmaceuticals were reduced or eliminated.
3. U.S.-EU Framework Agreement (August 21, 2025): A deal was struck to formalize these adjustments, reduce overall trade friction, and outline further steps.
4. EU Response (Ongoing): The EU is implementing its own reciprocal tariffs and negotiating further adjustments, with a goal of achieving fair and balanced trade.

Current Status (as of late 2025):

• U.S. Action: Implementing the framework, applying 15% tariffs on many goods, with specific exemptions (aircraft, pharma) and adjustments for others.
• EU Action: Moving to implement its commitments, including potential reciprocal tariffs on specific U.S. products like timber and certain agricultural goods, while negotiating for broader reductions.

In essence, 2025 saw a shift from broad threats to a structured, albeit complex, reciprocal tariff system between the U.S. and EU, aiming for fairer trade through negotiated adjustments.

 

[RezaLoghme]

This is getting a bit silly - attacking information sources rather than simply correcting factual errors and providing an official/valid source. Here is the official source. There probably is a similar EU source (there was in July 2025)

Federal Register :: Request Access

www.federalregister.gov

I have now changed the details from 0% / exempt to the flat 15% Koraks suggested. Anything else to edit?

 

[RezaLoghme]

Its reassuring that, given what you say, there is a flat 15%.
THen let me correct the 1,-5. steps from above.

I have now changed the details from 0% / exempt to the flat 15% you suggested. Anything else to edit?

@koraks I have not heard from you. As your request seemed to be very urgent, I have immediatetely responded, now I would like to check if I am complying with your request.

 

[BrianShaw]

Anything else to edit?

May I please suggest adding the following:

6. Plus any tariff-/customs-related handling fees imposed by shipping companies, customs officials, and/or import agents.

 

[koraks]

I would like to check if I am complying with your request.

I've seen several edits to posts of yours where you've inserted a disclaimer. Thanks for doing that!

 

[mshchem]

Boy, it's absolute madness to post results from AI. At least as dopey as Wikipedia is there's some attempt at human editing (many times, most of the time) to slant the text to support a position.

I am only buying things from the big sellers who include the costs of these insane, shoot from the hip, tariffs in the sale price.

It's utter madness now. Probably will be for some time. Extraordinarily sad.

The AI topic really needs to be addressed in forum posts. Long gone are the days of PE who spoke with authority, he didn't go on Wikipedia to decide what to post.

We need a AI detector (or as we used to joke, a BS detector)

This is going to make the moderators duties all the more important.

All AI assisted content should be in RED