Any thoughts on how "Tariffs" affect concertina imports & exports?

[Matthew Heumann]

Frank Edgley & I had a very in depth conversation about the implications of the unfortunate U.S. tariff kerfuffle.

Of course we'd assume buyers of concertinas imported from Manufacturers & Retail Dealers might be adversely affected, but anyone know about personal sales?

It's bad enough that retail sales may cost a lot more, but "Yikes", if we can't buy from an individual abroad without huge tariffs, it could be very disastrous to the trade.

Anyone have better insights?

[Matthew Heumann]

Been doing research and the answer is ????????????????

No one knows for sure yet if antique instruments over 100 years will still be exempt. Evidently, it doesn't matter if sales are commercial or personal. It also is complicated because the tariff will be based on country of manufacture, not origin of sale. So a Wheatstone, Jones or Lachenal bought from Canada or the EU would have a tariff as if from the UK. 

 

Here's a quote from one U.S. auction house:

KC Auction Company, LLC

April 4  ·

New Tariffs Are Here — And They’re Changing the Antiques Market

Starting this month, U.S. tariffs are now being applied to antiques, art, estate items, and more. That’s right—items over 100 years old that used to be duty-free, now face import taxes as high as 20% (or more), depending on their country of origin.

Edited May 21 by Matthew Heumann
new info

[Geoff Wooff]

These  Tariffs  will have  a similar  effect  to  the  problems      following  the  British  exit  from  the  EU.    One  example  of  this;    As  an  instrument  maker  living  in  France   where I  was  buying  certain metals  from  a  supplier  in  the  UK  who  obtained  these  goods  from  a  German  company.  The  added  complexity  and  paperwork  for  import / export    persuaded  the  German  manufacturer to   quit  the  trade  and  as a  result  my  supplier  in  the  UK  has   decided to  retire....  I  am  now  faced  with  having  to  deal  directly  with  the  German  company  who  require  a  50kg.  minimum  order   for  each  size  and  shape.

 

If  I  want  to  buy  a  Concertina    from the  UK  I  am  faced  with  import  taxes  of  at  least  20%.

 

I  have  had  many  customers in  the  USA  but  with  the  present  situation  I  will  be  sending  no  more instruments  there.

Edited May 21 by Geoff Wooff

[David Lay]

Have I got this example correct?

New concertina from Ireland to USA.

Say €4000

Minus 19% VAT = €3362

Convert to $3818 US

Add 2.6% harmonized tariff schedule = $3917

Add 10% current Trump tariff = $4300

Plus shipping/insurance.

 

I recently sent a 12 oz. (341g) package to Ireland and was surprised that UPS charges $225 as their lowest rate for this to an individual.  US mail was $65.

 

(I should have used 23% for Ireland's VAT this year.)

 

Edited May 21 by David Lay

[Turtle]

"We're gonna build a lot of concertina factories. Concertina factories like you wouldn't believe. It's gonna be the golden age of concertina production." -Trump probably

[Stephen DOUGLASS]

2 hours ago, David Lay said:

Say €4000

Minus 19% VAT = €3362

Convert to $3818 US

Add 2.6% harmonized tariff schedule = $3917

Add 10% current Trump tariff = $4300

Plus shipping/insurance.

David, I think you would only get that VAT reduction if the company is VAT registered. I'm making the assumption that some 'suppliers' are not. So the final figure would be higher.

[Randy Stein]

Unless you become our 51st state