So there may be a few things that I didn’t or don’t understand. I don’t know how often the carrier picks up from this seller. Or maybe the seller has to drop the package off at a certain location. From the point that the seller told me the package was shipped it took 3 days for the carrier to show the package was in their possession. So by “shipped” the seller really meant the items were in a padded envelope or a box with a label on it. Which is fine because at least I know that the order is done. So after 3 days the package did move to a sorting facility and then out of the sorting facility and now it is at the airport waiting to get put on a plane. So they are indeed moving things. And the final mile carrier is listed as USPS. And the USPS has the package in their system awaiting arrival.
And apparently at least until May 2nd there won’t be any additional tariffs or delays for things moving through the USPS. I think it’s hard to figure out exactly what the tariff will be after May 2nd on things shipped that way. I suspect most people won’t take a chance on expensive things once it comes down to the wire until more is known about the costs. But the way I read things if it is already in the shipping system prior to May 2nd it should come through without hiccups. I’ll be watching that yunexpress website to see what notices they give to sellers. And apparently it may indeed be different if it is being shipped in other ways such as through UPS or FedEx or other handling the entire process.
It looks like the U.S. tariffs on flashlights will be 12.5% (preexisting tariff specific to flashlights) + 145% (baseline for everything from China), for a total of 157.5%. This is a very high tariff.
Once these go into effect, a purchase of a $50 flashlight would require a tariff payment of $78.50 for a total amount due for both the light and the tariff of $128.50.
That said, I expect the following:
- Big importers like Amazon will probably stock far fewer flashlight models. Demand will be much smaller due to the size of the tariff. Especially for medium and high-end lights. It is already reported in the news that Amazon has reduced their purchases of some stock items from China for their warehouses.
- I expect there will be some cheating especially for small packages direct from China. Some importers may underreport their products’ value on their customs forms to avoid paying the full tariff due. It is unknown how vigorously the government will go after cheaters.
- Due to the confusion and high cost of the tariffs I expect significant delays on shipments clearing customs once the tariffs go into effect for small packages.
- Some flashlight manufacturers might decide to abandon the U.S. market and no longer sell their models inside the USA. Some other small flashlight manufacturers might go out of business entirely. The result is Americans will likely have a smaller selection of flashlights and parts available for purchase.
- FUBAR beyond recognition. You can’t make this stuff up.
- Nothing/Very Little China stuff is going to be restocked at Amazon other than what is already at the dock and cleared. Party is over for now.
- Harbor Freight will be in a big bind, if you need something there, now is the time.
- Most of us in this Hobby are Collectors/Hoarders and classic overbuyers, so the good news is it will be a good time to sell between members. No Tariffs. Put out the want lists. Let’s go.
- My Tariff impact will be $0, no purchases unless emergency situation. They want to trash the economy I will be a willing partner.
- My Farmer neighbors that are being honest are already crying in their beer. I feel for them but at the end of the day, Reap what you sow.
I would like to see if Ali and BG woupd have tariff line item fees like the do US tax.
Zebralight prices all increased by like 30%.
How will this affect digital transfers of goods? I.e. where the majority shareholder of a company may be chinese? A.k.a. tencent?
They’ve had two rounds of price increases over the last week. This is where it’s at now.
SC700 $129–>$159
SC600 $99–>$129
H600 $89–>$109
SC65 $89–>$109
A6 $49–>$69
AA models $79–>$89
Isn’t there a $200 minimum, meaning that the total amount would be $250?
There is an announcement that imported electronics are exempt from tariffs, but the news outlets did not provide a complete list. Any chance this may apply to lights?
https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3db9e55?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2
EDIT: According to GPT, this list includes LEDs but not flashlights.
An informative discussion here: https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/1jxiq6z/understanding_the_electronics_exemption_from/
In short, no flashlights/parts are exempt.
Yup. Full tariffs apply to flashlights and parts. They are not exempt.
thanks for the price info, here are the percentage change:
| price change | percent |
|---|---|
| SC700 $129–>$159 | 23% |
| SC600 $99–>$129 | 30% |
| H600 $89–>$109 | 22% |
| SC65 $89–>$109 | 22% |
| A6 $49–>$69 | 41% |
| AA models $79–>$89 | 13% |
fwiw Jan 30–>April 12
Emisar D3AA $41.70–>$47.80 = 15%
They should not be. You’ve already imported and paid any import duty due. I’m in the UK, but the US should be the same.
I’ve done this with high value items before. The paperwork can be a bit hard to figure out, especially the first time. You have to say it is being returned for repair. Sometimes when it comes back you need to provide proof you already paid the tax on it before the shipper will release it.
At leat that is what happens for high value (thousands of dollars) items. Not sure if they will bother for a $100 flashlight.
Logically this makes sense, as the original sale should extend to the warranty…but as the companies might need to send you a new light and send the old one back to get refurbed, how would that transaction be classified under the tariff? And would that cost fall back on the consumer, or is it a way to get producers to tighten up quality control? - digression, speculation, topic for another thread possibly. Just food for thought, don’t answer this post, lol.
Interesting…to clear out existing stock at the old price, perhaps?
Also i’m not seeing those…region specific?
Ugh. It sounds like quality Chinese flashlights will become total luxury items rather than the good value purchases that they currently are.
Of course, the person in office has changed his mind about tariffs so many times that nobody knows what will actually happen or when. It’s entirely possible that this won’t happen at all, or will happen at a different time and rate than we currently expect.
Those are all discontinued models. The AA headlamps were all previously on sale, and I don’t think they’ve had that SC600 variant available for quite some time, so they’re probably selling off old stock.
My concern is that if the US maintains these ludicrously high tarrifs, Chinese sellers are going to raise prices for all customers in order to cover their loss in sales to the US.