Tariffs.....sorry

[Parker135]

Has anyone had any recent experience with ordering concertinas or similar from EU countries?  Google indicates a 15% tariff will apply.   No intention of a political discussion; I just want to get an indication of what to expect.

[Ken_Coles]

40 minutes ago, Parker135 said:

No intention of a political discussion; I just want to get an indication of what to expect.

 

Yes, please do observe this guideline folks. Specific recent experiences would be of interest to many.

 

Ken

[David Lay]

 

[David Lay]

There was this discussion, too.  $700 paid on a declared value of 4750€ (about $5130 in April).  

 

Edited August 20, 2025 by David Lay

[Becky_S]

I paid a 10% tariff on a concertina shipped from Ireland earlier this summer. I got an email telling me that my package was in customs and was awaiting payment to be released. After I paid it, another email saying the package had been released, and it arrived a few days later. I believe the tariff is 15% now.

[Parker135]

I've been conversing with Jean Garvey at Irish Concertina Company.  He describes it as a 15% tariff (which seems to be the added new one) and then a 3% tariff on top of that.  Canada seems to be at 25% if I understand google correctly.

[David Lay]

Some makers deduct the VAT for exports.  Sean has been doing so, and for Ireland the 2025 rate is 23%.  His web page offers to pay the tariff and duty if one pays the "Irish price".  I do not understand the distinction between a duty and tariff.  I have sometimes paid a fee to the shipper (UPS) for taking a package through US customs at our Canadian border.

[Parker135]

6 hours ago, David Lay said:

Some makers deduct the VAT for exports.  Sean has been doing so, and for Ireland the 2025 rate is 23%.  His web page offers to pay the tariff and duty if one pays the "Irish price".  I do not understand the distinction between a duty and tariff.  I have sometimes paid a fee to the shipper (UPS) for taking a package through US customs at our Canadian border.

Yes, we talked about the "Irish price" and him paying the tariffs.  I still have a bunch of questions, but I appreciate the effort he's making.

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

I am curious to know [ if there's such places as music stores left these days] if they take care of all the tariffs ahead of your purchase instead [ surely this could save a lot of worry]? Still not a perfect solution I suppose.

[Peter Laban]

Probably worth checking: the postal services of several European countries are not accepting parcels for the US while the tariff situation (for items up to $800) remains unclear.

[Stephen Chambers]

Here's a link to the latest official word from An Post, the Irish Post Office, starting tomorrow: Changes in sending to the USA

[Peter Laban]

Explainer from the Guardian:

Postal services around the world suspend delivery to US. How does it affect you.

[saguaro_squeezer]

I paid $179 on a £1000 Serpent from the UK last week.  So that’s 13.2%

Edited September 1, 2025 by saguaro_squeezer

[Clive Thorne]

36 minutes ago, saguaro_squeezer said:

I paid $179 on a £1000 Serpent from the UK last week.  So that’s 13.2%

The instrument or the animal?

[saguaro_squeezer]

The instrument.  I haven’t decided if it plays like an animal yet!