Can you still order gear from Europe without paying tariffs?

I understand that the "de minimis" exemption (no tariffs on orders under $800) was only suspended for goods from China/HK, but has anyone tested this? I want to order something from EpicTV...

I've got an order from Barrabes currently in limbo.  So far i've been told that by UPS that I owe $237 tariff/duty on a ~$500 package containing steel that originated in the EU.  Did the shipper mess up and put too high of a value or the wrong code on my package?  I have no idea.  UPS is impossible to get a more detailed explanation from and i'm waiting on the item to get returned to sender which I asked to be done last week and still hasn't happened..  For now i'm not ordering anything outside the country, you might have no issue or you might get screwed over  mountainproject.com/forum/t…

About the only thing that's clear is that it's going to be a lot more complicated than before. As I understand it, you're correct that goods that don't come from China or HK may still qualify from the $800 de minimis exemption. However...

• Some goods such as steel components from outside N America are no longer exempt. I'm guessing that's what tripped up Adam W.
• It depends where the item was manufactured, not where it was shipped from. If you order a La Sportiva approach shoe from TrekInn in Spain, but the shoe was made in China, then it's not exempt.
• Shippers are now supposed to provide much more detailed paperwork, with country of origin breakdowns and 10-digit "harmonized tariff schedule" codes. There may also be fees to clear customs. It wouldn't surprise me if smaller EU retailers decide that it's no longer worth the hassle to ship to the US.

Welcome to the brexit experience. 

I live 2 km away from the EpicTV shop / warehouse, might go on Friday, I'll ask what's happening. I hope this won't put them in a difficult situation, they're the best local climbing shop and they rely a lot on international online sales afaik.

Loic Prst wrote:

I live 2 km away from the EpicTV shop / warehouse, might go on Friday, I'll ask what's happening. I hope this won't put them in a difficult situation, they're the best local climbing shop and they rely a lot on international online sales afaik.

I'd be particularly curious to know about steel components. Nearly every piece of climbing hardware has steel of some sort, but should the 25% tariff apply if the order is below the $800 de minimus threshold? I ask as someone who was about to shell out for new Blue Ice Steel Screws from Europe but don't want to befall the same fate as Adam W. 

 a useful article

https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/de-minimis-china-trump-elimination-tariffs/744313/#:~:text=The%20White%20House%20plans%20to,duty%20revenue%2C%20with%20few%20exceptions.&text=This%20audio%20is%20auto%2Dgenerated,applicable%20duties%2C%20taxes%20and%20fees.

Oddly my package that has been held at customs for weeks wanting me to pay tariffs showed up at my house today.  I asked it to be returned to sender last week so no idea what happened between then and now for it to end up here.  Declared value on the package was correct and under the $800 rule

Loic Prst wrote:

I live 2 km away from the EpicTV shop / warehouse, might go on Friday, I'll ask what's happening. I hope this won't put them in a difficult situation, they're the best local climbing shop and they rely a lot on international online sales afaik.

The shop said they don't have issues with packages being returned so far, but maybe it's too soon to notice. I went there to look at future cams purchases, more shiny stuff please.

johan Smith wrote:

It depends on where in Europe you're ordering from and where you're shipping to. If you're ordering from the EU to another EU country, generally no tariffs apply because of the EU’s single market. But if you’re ordering from the EU to a non-EU country (like the UK post-Brexit, the US, Canada, etc.), yes, you may have to pay tariffs or import duties—plus VAT, customs processing fees, or handling charges depending on local laws.

For example:

• EU → US: No EU tariff, but the US might charge customs duties or import tax depending on the item’s value and category.

• EU → UK: Post-Brexit, tariffs can apply, though many goods are covered under a trade agreement that eliminates tariffs—but only if rules of origin requirements are met.

• EU → Canada: CETA (trade deal) might reduce tariffs on many items, but taxes and handling fees still usually apply.

Bottom line: You can still order gear from Europe, but you might have to pay tariffs or extra fees unless there’s a trade agreement that waives them and the conditions are met. Always check the local customs website for accurate info based on the product category and origin.

Another worthless AI generated answer.

johan Smith wrote:

It depends on where in Europe you're ordering from and where you're shipping to. If you're ordering from the EU to another EU country, generally no tariffs apply because of the EU’s single market. But if you’re ordering from the EU to a non-EU country (like the UK post-Brexit, the US, Canada, etc.), yes, you may have to pay tariffs or import duties—plus VAT, customs processing fees, or handling charges depending on local laws.

For example:

• EU → US: No EU tariff, but the US might charge customs duties or import tax depending on the item’s value and category.

• EU → UK: Post-Brexit, tariffs can apply, though many goods are covered under a trade agreement that eliminates tariffs—but only if rules of origin requirements are met.

• EU → Canada: CETA (trade deal) might reduce tariffs on many items, but taxes and handling fees still usually apply.

Bottom line: You can still order gear from Europe, but you might have to pay tariffs or extra fees unless there’s a trade agreement that waives them and the conditions are met. Always check the local customs website for accurate info based on the product category and origin.

Another worthless AI generated answer.

Jim Titt wrote:

Another worthless AI generated answer.

Why is it worthless?

The fact is has been removed tells you most you need to know, that it came from a new account some more and that it said you might be charged duties etc and should check the local customs. In other words it said absolutely nothing.

Bumping this to see if anyone has any new insights, I wanna order some shoes from Oliunid but I'm hesitant because of the unknowns 

Ordered $80 worth of stuff from Oliiunid Monday. Arrived by UPS yesterday. No tariffs and about half the price of same items in the US

you cheapos are stealing american climbing biz jobs! 

I read today that DHL will no longer accept packages to the US with a value over $800. 

Allen Sanderson wrote:

I read today that DHL will no longer accept packages to the US with a value over $800. 

Do you mean under $800? Over that has always been subject to duty.

I'm glad I made a sizable Oluinid order before all of this madness.  I'm going to wait until it all shakes or before making another.

evan freeman wrote:

Do you mean under $800? Over that has always been subject to duty.

I'm glad I made a sizable Oluinid order before all of this madness.  I'm going to wait until it all shakes or before making another.

No, it is over $800, this is because previously shipments up to (I think) $2500 used a simplified customs procedure and this has gone, DHL cannot cope with the additional work involved in the full system for the number of parcels sent so have stopped accepting parcels to private adresses for the moment.

Jim Titt wrote:

No, it is over $800, this is because previously shipments up to (I think) $2500 used a simplified customs procedure and this has gone, DHL cannot cope with the additional work involved in the full system for the number of parcels sent so have stopped accepting parcels to private addresses for the moment.

Exactly, the option would be for DHL to start charging a large brokerage fee for such packages. Which is already done by some shipping companies.