USA Sales

[Triple Parts]

Unfortunately from 29th August 2025 we are unable to sell goods to the USA. Removal of duty-free for low value items (less than $800) means that our products are now subject to import tariffs. The American Government, in their wisdom, have decided that all duties and administrative fees must be paid before items enter the US.

With the additional costs and administration work involved, it does not make economic sense for a small business like ours to continue to sell to the USA.

[El Presidente]

I'm not sure that is correct Tony.

It's true that the Royal Mail have levvied the following charges :

.50p handling

2.50 customs charge

I suspect (and will find out when my first parcels get here this week) That all Royal Mail are doing is getting the paperwork ready for U.S. customs and the end user will pay the bill when their stuff turns up.

[Triple Parts]

Hi Rick, I have tried sending something this week. If you visit a Royal Mail Post Office to send items to the USA, or purchase online, you will be advised of and pay any duties and fees at the same time you purchase your postage. So when I went to print a label it included the duty and admin fees. It basically doubled the shipping cost.

DPD are doing it slightly differently. They take your postage and it goes to the International Processing Centre as normal, then they invoice the customer for the duty and admin fees. If they don't receive it within 5 days, the parcel gets returned to you.

Either way, it is not worth the aggravation. We will wait until the US administration changes its policy, or US citizens come to their senses and find a President that respects longstanding historical trading partners.

[Triple Parts]

I suspect (and will find out when my first parcels get here this week) That all Royal Mail are doing is getting the paperwork ready for U.S. customs and the end user will pay the bill when their stuff turns up.

From the Royal Mail website:-

On 30th July 2025, the United States Government announced an Executive Order which outlined significant changes to the customs requirements and processes for goods being imported into the USA from 29th August 2025.

Removal of duty-free for low value items – previously, items valued at less than $800 could enter the USA without having to pay customs duties.
That’s changing and from 29th August, goods, regardless of value, may now be subject to import tariffs (duties).
These duties must be paid by UK senders before items enter our network.


How it works with DPD:-

You book and confirm your order to the USA.
A secure payment link is emailed directly to the receiver.
The parcel is collected and held securely for up to 5 days while awaiting payment.
Once payment is made, the parcel clears customs and continues on its way to the USA.


I hope you're right, but it seems pretty clear to me. Let me know how you get on

[El Presidente]

It is, without doubt a fricking minefield.

A pal here bought a set of Jim Lomas pipes from Germany back in May, They cost $1,300 and have just arrived along with a customs bill for $580!!! 45% Duty ?

[Triple Parts]

A nightmare

I prefer Royal Mail as it is handy for me, and generally reliable. The problem now is, I could not tell a customer how much to pay until I prepare the shipping label. I certainly don't want to go through all the customs forms to calculate it, then invoice them, then if they accept it, do all the forms again to print a label.

The other option with DPD, the customer gets an additional bill after they have already paid. I know they often had to pay duties in the past, but do Americans know how much the tariffs have increased costs? So they get a nasty shock and it reflects badly on us!

[malc87]

The guy who Rick said bought the Jim lomas pipes certainly got a nasty shock!!!

[Bobbyboy]

I bought stuff for a KTM from the States a few years ago

Anything over £135 is subject to import tax and then VAT and the best thing about it (sarcasm) is the UK are acttually taxing you on the tax..

Ie my stuff was say £800 u got taxed at 20% import tax = £160.. then that was added to the total = £960 then they taxed that at 20% =£192 which is now £1152...so u are actually paying tax for the import tax that was added and it had to be paid to the customs before the UK shipper would release your parcel

Obviously not getting into politics but the states were far more lenient and generous with an 800 dollar limit and lower tax than the UK ever was

Imagine my shock when I found out that pleasant surprise

[Triple Parts]

Obviously not getting into politics but the states were far more lenient and generous with an 800 dollar limit and lower tax than the UK ever was

And that's the point. Tariffs are suddenly introduced at the same time as the removal of duty free, and most Americans won't be aware of that. At least we were always aware of the UK £135 limit.
I read somewhere that most Americans think that the tarriffs will make imports cheaper! They think that the importers are absorbing the additional tariff costs