USA tariffs that apply to import of ethnographic items.

Bob A · 26th October 2025, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveA

Hello,

I have noticed in the past two weeks that a few auction houses have begun to explicitly state that they won’t ship to the US. I just tried to order a rare book from a Bulgaria bookseller, but they informed me that Bulgaria Post is not accepting packages with US destinations.

As a buyer, I am limiting my search, for now, to sellers who state that they ship from the US. On the plus side for me, the tariffs (a nuisance IMHO) may translate into less competition from my non-US colleagues in EEW collecting. Hasn’t happened yet.

I recently (mid-September) ordered and received a rare and pricey book from Hungary, with no duty and no issues.

I've rec'd correspondence from a Canadian book dealer indicating that books were not subject to duty.

I received the book set Drawing the Sword from the Netherlands with no indication of duty being required. (The shipping was quite expensive, but the package was as heavy as a box of bricks, so it didn't seem out of line).

A. G. Maisey · 27th October 2025, 04:20 AM

I have currently spent untold hours on this matter, & I have tested it as well as I am able.

I have looked at the legal issues involved in the affixation of tariffs & most especially at the affixation of tariffs applied to HTS code 9705 (& extensions).

I have reached certain conclusions that I do not wish to comment on here.

I have had my conclusions reviewed by two lawyers whose business it is to understand international trade law, & those gentlemen have agreed with my conclusions.

I think that for the moment any shipping of the type of things that we discuss in these forums is off the table, insofar as USA is concerned.

Hopefully sanity will prevail eventually, but until it does, it is perhaps best to simply be patient.

Sajen · 27th October 2025, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I think that for the moment any shipping of the type of things that we discuss in these forums is off the table, insofar as USA is concerned.

Hopefully sanity will prevail eventually, but until it does, it is perhaps best to simply be patient.

Agree complete with you!

27th October 2025, 04:20 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,134	I have currently spent untold hours on this matter, & I have tested it as well as I am able. I have looked at the legal issues involved in the affixation of tariffs & most especially at the affixation of tariffs applied to HTS code 9705 (& extensions). I have reached certain conclusions that I do not wish to comment on here. I have had my conclusions reviewed by two lawyers whose business it is to understand international trade law, & those gentlemen have agreed with my conclusions. I think that for the moment any shipping of the type of things that we discuss in these forums is off the table, insofar as USA is concerned. Hopefully sanity will prevail eventually, but until it does, it is perhaps best to simply be patient.