Tariffs Surprise - Personal Experience

[PeteF]

About a week ago, I had to replace (under warranty) the charger for my Lithium Ion Golf Cart Battery.

The Chinese company was great . They shipped me a new charger from China within two days, and it arrived 4 days after they shipped it ... Air express via UPS.

Surprise, when UPS delivered the charger there was a $15 Tariff due (20% of the $75 charger valuation) and UPS tacked on another $15 service charge.

Obviously I was a bit surprised by this, especially the $15 service charge from UPS on a $15 Tariff.

As the economist and financial people have been saying ... US people and companies pay the tariff when the goods land ... its not a paid by Chinese companies. Additional, nobody has talked about the service charges that the shipping companies are imposing.

Just a little heads up if you are expecting a shipment directly from China.

Please note: I am not saying that Tariffs are good or bad policy - that needs to be decided by people with a lot more Tariff knowledge and experience than I have. This post is meant as just a heads up on what you might experience should you order directly from China.

[rustyp]

What the - China was supposed to pay that tariff.

Thus the $75 charger now costs $105. Looks like instant 40% inflation to me.

I assume the UPS charge was to fill out the paperwork for the tariff filing.

[Bill14564]

What the - China was supposed to pay that tariff.

Actually, it is the importer who pays the tariff. In this case either UPS was the importer (not likely, they were just the carrier) or the OP was the importer since they took delivery of the product directly from the carrier.

At least that is what seems to have happened.

If the Chinese company had worked through a local business then that business would have been charged for the tariff. They may have taken it out of profit but chances are they would have passed it along to the OP as well.

[Topspinmo]

IMO it’s time for equal trade nearly all countries charge tariffs to protect their economy, so why not use? IMO it boils down to cost of labor. It labor not close they can’t be no free equal trade. IMO the problem started 50 years plus ago when companies was allow to move to foreign land for cheap labor and didn’t pay penalties for gutting blue collar labor in this country. What happens when you allow communist access to education and stealing of critically information.

From Google

Global Trade Guide
Tariffs
International (Global) Trade: Definition, Benefits, and Criticisms
What are Tariffs?
Tariffs and Trade Barriers
Trade Wars
How Would a Trade War Affect You?
Who Has the Highest Tariffs?
CURRENT ARTICLE
Protectionism
Global Players
The Plaza Accord
Currency Wars
Factors Driving the USD
Emerging Markets: The Parts of Russia's GDP
How OPEC (and Non-OPEC) Production Affects Oil Prices
BRICS: Acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa
The Economy of Canada

IMO time to even play ground.

[rustyp]

What the - China was supposed to pay that tariff.

Thus the $75 charger now costs $105. Looks like instant 40% inflation to me.

I assume the UPS charge was to fill out the paperwork for the tariff filing.

Actually, it is the importer who pays the tariff. In this case either UPS was the importer (not likely, they were just the carrier) or the OP was the importer since they took delivery of the product directly from the carrier.

At least that is what seems to have happened.

If the Chinese company had worked through a local business then that business would have been charged for the tariff. They may have taken it out of profit but chances are they would have passed it along to the OP as well.

It was sarcasm. I lived in a US/Canadian border town for years. I am very aware who pays the tariff. When I brought goods I purchased in Canada into the US I had to pay the tariff. The US government made me go inside fill out the paperwork and pay the DUTY on the spot ! Me myself and I - the consumer (in this case I was the importer) - not the manufacturer.

Like you Bill it amazes me people do not understand who pays the tariff.

[Blueblaze]

Sounds like a very good reason to not import things directly from China.

[Bill14564]

It was sarcasm. I lived in a US/Canadian border town for years. I am very aware who pays the tariff. When I brought goods I purchased in Canada into the US I had to pay the tariff. The US government made me go inside fill out the paperwork and pay the DUTY on the spot ! Me myself and I - the consumer (in this case I was the importer) - not the manufacturer.

Like you Bill it amazes me people do not understand who pays the tariff.

Sorry, I missed that.

I made regular beer runs to Niagara Falls. Always declares it but only had to par about half the time. Spent the night up there once and left very early. Woke up the officer working the desk. Asked why I was there, gave me a look of disgust, and told me to get out.

[HappyTraveler]

It was sarcasm. I lived in a US/Canadian border town for years. I am very aware who pays the tariff. When I brought goods I purchased in Canada into the US I had to pay the tariff. The US government made me go inside fill out the paperwork and pay the DUTY on the spot ! Me myself and I - the consumer (in this case I was the importer) - not the manufacturer.

Like you Bill it amazes me people do not understand who pays the tariff.
That's interesting. On the couple of occasions that I've ordered something from Canada online, I paid no tariff or import fees to have it delivered to me in the USA.

But, when I've shipped to Canada from here, the import fees were added either to the sale (if I sold on Ebay, etc) or it was added when the postage label was created.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

My response to anyone sincerely surprised by increased prices from countries that have had a US tariff imposed:

FAFO

Thoughts, prayers, yada yada yada.

[Rocksnap]

There’s a reason I buy made in American. And a reason why I don’t buy made in China. Regardless of tariffs.

[Cuervo]

When it comes to tariffs the majority of the economist stand firm that the burden will fall on the American people and will start an economic battle that all parties will suffer. Look for those who have doubts this is even the beliefs of the Wall Street Journal, who main interest is the stability of the U.S financial markets.

[Dahabs]

Better get used to runaway inflation if the plan is to have everything manufactured in the good old USA.

IMO it’s time for equal trade nearly all countries charge tariffs to protect their economy, so why not use? IMO it boils down to cost of labor. It labor not close they can’t be no free equal trade. IMO the problem started 50 years plus ago when companies was allow to move to foreign land for cheap labor and didn’t pay penalties for gutting blue collar labor in this country. What happens when you allow communist access to education and stealing of critically information.

From Google

Global Trade Guide
Tariffs
International (Global) Trade: Definition, Benefits, and Criticisms
What are Tariffs?
Tariffs and Trade Barriers
Trade Wars
How Would a Trade War Affect You?
Who Has the Highest Tariffs?
CURRENT ARTICLE
Protectionism
Global Players
The Plaza Accord
Currency Wars
Factors Driving the USD
Emerging Markets: The Parts of Russia's GDP
How OPEC (and Non-OPEC) Production Affects Oil Prices
BRICS: Acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa
The Economy of Canada

IMO time to even play ground.

[La lamy]

Better get used to runaway inflation if the plan is to have everything manufactured in the good old USA.

Exactly!! That's why so much gets imported, it's been cheaper to have it made outside the USA. Until now that is. Good luck to all of us through this tariff war.

[maggie1]

There’s a reason I buy made in American. And a reason why I don’t buy made in China. Regardless of tariffs.

We make things in America? Give me a hint of what they are and I'll get on the bandwagon, too.

[RickyLee]

I thought tariffs were to get us to manufacture, buy & support American ?

[Sgt Ed]

They are going to get their money no matter who imports it. Like other taxes the governments gets their graft first.

[opinionist]

If tariffs can replace the income tax, then I say bring it on.
If tariffs can help bring jobs back from overseas, I say bring it on.

[RoseyRed]

About a week ago, I had to replace (under warranty) the charger for my Lithium Ion Golf Cart Battery.

The Chinese company was great . They shipped me a new charger from China within two days, and it arrived 4 days after they shipped it ... Air express via UPS.

Surprise, when UPS delivered the charger there was a $15 Tariff due (20% of the $75 charger valuation) and UPS tacked on another $15 service charge.

Obviously I was a bit surprised by this, especially the $15 service charge from UPS on a $15 Tariff.

As the economist and financial people have been saying ... US people and companies pay the tariff when the goods land ... its not a paid by Chinese companies. Additional, nobody has talked about the service charges that the shipping companies are imposing.

Just a little heads up if you are expecting a shipment directly from China.

Please note: I am not saying that Tariffs are good or bad policy - that needs to be decided by people with a lot more Tariff knowledge and experience than I have. This post is meant as just a heads up on what you might experience should you order directly from China.
I am not an expert on tariffs by no means, but am curious who benefits from the increased tariff income? Who has access to this income and what can it be used for?

[Kelevision]

What the - China was supposed to pay that tariff.

Thus the $75 charger now costs $105. Looks like instant 40% inflation to me.

I assume the UPS charge was to fill out the paperwork for the tariff filing.

Lol… you’re joking right??? Please tell me you’re joking.

[Kelevision]

If tariffs can replace the income tax, then I say bring it on.
If tariffs can help bring jobs back from overseas, I say bring it on.

It won’t and it won’t. You’re worried about jobs from overseas when they literally bring in HB-1 visa immigrants to do the jobs here because “ we need smart people here to do the jobs” also, how many millions of Americans are being fired currently. What jobs will they be taking now. YOU’RE FIRED!!

[retiredguy123]

We make things in America? Give me a hint of what they are and I'll get on the bandwagon, too.
Go to Amazon.com and search:

"made in usa products only"

[airstreamingypsy]

Tighten your belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

When it comes to tariffs the majority of the economist stand firm that the burden will fall on the American people and will start an economic battle that all parties will suffer. Look for those who have doubts this is even the beliefs of the Wall Street Journal, who main interest is the stability of the U.S financial markets.

The question: is your economic policy goal the cheapest cost of production wins? regardless of the location or the second / third order effects?

OR

is the economic policy locally mfg goods with better delivery times and less potential supply chain disruptions, with a stronger domestic money flows for financing?

If you pick the second, the only pain is the transition from the first to the second, and that can be temporary.

[kareneluck]

The manufacturing is not yet set up in the US again. The labor in the US is more costly than offshore. That’s why many items were imported. Bring Manufacturing back to the US and the prices go up again. We are going back years. The consumer will pay more for everything world wide. These deals were originally made for everyone to pay less. Look out consumer. It will be a wild ride

[coconutmama]

If tariffs can replace the income tax, then I say bring it on.
If tariffs can help bring jobs back from overseas, I say bring it on.

It would take years to build back manufacturing here to any meaningful rate on any real & necessary items.

To compete, many jobs would have to be automated.

Remember also that our taxes pay for our military. I don’t mind paying my fair share

[Janie123]

About a week ago, I had to replace (under warranty) the charger for my Lithium Ion Golf Cart Battery.

The Chinese company was great . They shipped me a new charger from China within two days, and it arrived 4 days after they shipped it ... Air express via UPS.

Surprise, when UPS delivered the charger there was a $15 Tariff due (20% of the $75 charger valuation) and UPS tacked on another $15 service charge. Most likely, that charger would be cheaper on a site like Amazon as they probably do one big paperwork surcharge monthly or whatever is required and probably do it automagically as well.

Obviously I was a bit surprised by this, especially the $15 service charge from UPS on a $15 Tariff.

As the economist and financial people have been saying ... US people and companies pay the tariff when the goods land ... its not a paid by Chinese companies. Additional, nobody has talked about the service charges that the shipping companies are imposing.

Just a little heads up if you are expecting a shipment directly from China.

Please note: I am not saying that Tariffs are good or bad policy - that needs to be decided by people with a lot more Tariff knowledge and experience than I have. This post is meant as just a heads up on what you might experience should you order directly from China.
In September UPS added a $.50 per pound surcharge on all goods from China and Hong Kong. It’s $.25 from all the other South Pacific countries. AI said it was due to fuel charges from that region.

My guess is buying Chinese goods via say Amazon, they roll that price into the product you see on their website as Amazon is the importer of record.

UPS plans surge fee for all China-to-US imports | Supply Chain Dive (https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/ups-surge-fee-us-imports-china/724655/)

[GATORBILL66]

About a week ago, I had to replace (under warranty) the charger for my Lithium Ion Golf Cart Battery.

The Chinese company was great . They shipped me a new charger from China within two days, and it arrived 4 days after they shipped it ... Air express via UPS.

Surprise, when UPS delivered the charger there was a $15 Tariff due (20% of the $75 charger valuation) and UPS tacked on another $15 service charge.

Obviously I was a bit surprised by this, especially the $15 service charge from UPS on a $15 Tariff.

As the economist and financial people have been saying ... US people and companies pay the tariff when the goods land ... its not a paid by Chinese companies. Additional, nobody has talked about the service charges that the shipping companies are imposing.

Just a little heads up if you are expecting a shipment directly from China.

Please note: I am not saying that Tariffs are good or bad policy - that needs to be decided by people with a lot more Tariff knowledge and experience than I have. This post is meant as just a heads up on what you might experience should you order directly from China.

Hope you learned you lesson. BUY AMERICAN!

[DaveNKath]

Hi, maybe items should be banned and not have a tariff. Items are made cheaper outside of the U.S., BUT the prices are "inflated to U.S. prices. IE: Charge the same price but make it at a cheaper cost. American companies used and still use this practice. Americans, sold out America. The stock market transition of companies to IPO stock investors changed everything for the investor profits. Too bad for the people and economy.
Ok, so lets make all companies privately owned. Stop paying stock investors & pay employees. The U.S. citizen is "the economy.

[Haggar]

If tariffs can replace the income tax, then I say bring it on.
If tariffs can help bring jobs back from overseas, I say bring it on.

In 2024 tariffs were 1.6% of total US revenues. If anyone thinks increasing tariffs will eliminate income tax - well, you figure it out.

Increasing tariffs on foreign made imports of steel and aluminum will allow US producers to raise prices.

Either way costs go up. Estimates are that these actions will add another $2,000 to $3,000 to the cost of a car.

So who benefits?

[Rickanvic]

Hope you learned you lesson. BUY AMERICAN!

Hmmm🤔 didn't sound like he had a choice when he got the part under warranty. Easier said than done.

[Unruly]

If you buy American goods instead of Chinese crap there's no tariff. Simple fix for tariffs...

[Normal]

Tariffs are a tax, there is no “if” and “or”, “but”. Companies (it does matter what language they speak) don’t operate for a loss. Where the costs are cast could be anywhere, but I assure you the bottom line of a business matters to manufacturers. The government gets the tariff’s money so yes, it’s a tax.

Like the post above mentioned, avoid it by giving the money directly to an American manufacturer and not the government. Either way though, you will pay more.

[retiredguy123]

If you buy American goods instead of Chinese crap there's no tariff. Simple fix for tariffs...
Simple fix? Unless you need something that is not made in the USA. That includes a lot of things.

[defrey12]

About a week ago, I had to replace (under warranty) the charger for my Lithium Ion Golf Cart Battery.

The Chinese company was great . They shipped me a new charger from China within two days, and it arrived 4 days after they shipped it ... Air express via UPS.

Surprise, when UPS delivered the charger there was a $15 Tariff due (20% of the $75 charger valuation) and UPS tacked on another $15 service charge.

Obviously I was a bit surprised by this, especially the $15 service charge from UPS on a $15 Tariff.

As the economist and financial people have been saying ... US people and companies pay the tariff when the goods land ... its not a paid by Chinese companies. Additional, nobody has talked about the service charges that the shipping companies are imposing.

Just a little heads up if you are expecting a shipment directly from China.

Please note: I am not saying that Tariffs are good or bad policy - that needs to be decided by people with a lot more Tariff knowledge and experience than I have. This post is meant as just a heads up on what you might experience should you order directly from China.

Simple solution: BUY AMERICAN. The pain we feel now will ensure our grandchildren have a future.

[Bill14564]

If you buy American goods instead of Chinese crap there's no tariff. Simple fix for tariffs...

Unless those American goods use imported materials (steel, aluminum, avocados, etc).

Plus, even if the materials come from American producers, a tariff on a competing import is a free ticket for the American producer to increase prices. Sure, I don't pay the tariff, but my wallet is still lighter.

[defrey12]

What the - China was supposed to pay that tariff.

Thus the $75 charger now costs $105. Looks like instant 40% inflation to me.

I assume the UPS charge was to fill out the paperwork for the tariff filing.

No, not 40% inflation. Bad purchasing DECISIONS. If y’all haven’t figured it out yet, these moves are designed to get us to “buy American” as much as anything.

[RRGuyNJ]

Lol… you’re joking right??? Please tell me you’re joking.

He said he was joking. But, in a way he's accurate. Last month the charger cost $75. Today the same charger cost $105 due to the Tarriff and fees. In the end, it is a 40% increase which is considered an inflation in price. Maybe not inflation by true definition but it really is.

[fdpaq0580]

Bottom line: BUYER BEWARE!

[MaryMS]

Buckle your seat belts, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

[kkingston57]

Sounds like a very good reason to not import things directly from China.

Unfortunately, that is easier said than done. Try finding small electronic items not made in China. Even worse, some have an American name on them and item was made in China or assembled in the US with Chinese parts

[kkingston57]

There’s a reason I buy made in American. And a reason why I don’t buy made in China. Regardless of tariffs.

Even great American companies, like Snap On Tools, do not make all of their tools in the US. Good luck buying an American made TV. At least most do not come from China

[bumpa]

If tariffs can replace the income tax, then I say bring it on.
If tariffs can help bring jobs back from overseas, I say bring it on.

I'm pretty sure neither of those will happen. As regards bringing back jobs to the USA, a small increase in hiring is likely but it's a lot cheaper for companies to simply move to other foreign sources. Adding jobs also means building the factories needed and that requires capital. Still cheaper to find other foreign sources.

The income tax issue is interesting. here's the breakdown.
The federal government collected about $2.2 trillion in individual income taxes in Fiscal Year 2023 — half of all government revenue. U.S. imports totaled about $3.8 trillion in 2023. Therefore, a tariff rate of 58% would have been required to offset income tax revenue that year — but only if imports remained at this level.

A more realistic scenario recognizes that high tariffs would cause companies and consumers to reduce their purchases of imported goods (as these tariffs would make goods more expensive).

History confirms this: when tariffs have increased in the past, import volumes have dropped as companies and consumers reduced their purchases of imported goods. Fewer import purchases means less tariff revenue.

An analysis by the nonpartisan Peterson Institute for International Economics found that 50% tariffs would maximize revenue. Even so, this would only raise about $780 billion in tariff revenues — far less than the amount raised by the income tax.

[bumpa]

I am not an expert on tariffs by no means, but am curious who benefits from the increased tariff income? Who has access to this income and what can it be used for?

Our government gets the tariff income. It's just another tax on Americans.

[kkingston57]

The question: is your economic policy goal the cheapest cost of production wins? regardless of the location or the second / third order effects?

OR

is the economic policy locally mfg goods with better delivery times and less potential supply chain disruptions, with a stronger domestic money flows for financing?

If you pick the second, the only pain is the transition from the first to the second, and that can be temporary.

Can be temporary? Temporary is probably at least 2 years. American companies would need a huge cash investment, find and hire qualified workers, work out supply chains and logistics and hope they still can compete with slave labor countries. This has been going on after the affects of WW 2 ended and is not going to be fixed overnight

[Bill14564]

Simple solution: BUY AMERICAN. The pain we feel now will ensure our grandchildren have a future.

If you buy American goods instead of Chinese crap there's no tariff. Simple fix for tariffs...

Hope you learned you lesson. BUY AMERICAN!

There’s a reason I buy made in American. And a reason why I don’t buy made in China. Regardless of tariffs.

No, not 40% inflation. Bad purchasing DECISIONS. If y’all haven’t figured it out yet, these moves are designed to get us to “buy American” as much as anything.

Darn straight! He should have purchased an AMERICAN made cart, like EZGO which is built in Augusta, GA. Of course, the batteries for the EZGo are made in South Korea and the charger is made in Japan and who knows where the aluminum comes from, but THAT'S RIGHT, BUY AMERICAN!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

If tariffs can replace the income tax, then I say bring it on.
If tariffs can help bring jobs back from overseas, I say bring it on.

So you're okay with people who are already so poor that they don't qualify to PAY income tax, having to pay MORE for the things they can barely afford in the first place?

Women whose husbands have abandoned them with kids and no prospect for a career...

Homeless veterans who WANT to do better but are so screwed up from injuries to their bodies and minds, they just can't quite reach "normal" without help, and being helpless means they can't even understand how to seek help.

Families who have fallen on hard times because the government laid them off, or the shop closed down, or the fire burned down their home...

You're okay with forcing them to pay MORE for everything, just so you don't have to pay tax on your dividend check?

[Normal]

So you're okay with people who are already so poor that they don't qualify to PAY income tax, having to pay MORE for the things they can barely afford in the first place?

Women whose husbands have abandoned them with kids and no prospect for a career...

Homeless veterans who WANT to do better but are so screwed up from injuries to their bodies and minds, they just can't quite reach "normal" without help, and being helpless means they can't even understand how to seek help.

Families who have fallen on hard times because the government laid them off, or the shop closed down, or the fire burned down their home...

You're okay with forcing them to pay MORE for everything, just so you don't have to pay tax on your dividend check?

True, groceries don’t come from China, but things like backpacks, vacuum cleaners, clothing/textiles, fans, calculators and sink faucets do. In the end all the prices are forced upward to the new American made price.

[rustyp]

Can be temporary? Temporary is probably at least 2 years. American companies would need a huge cash investment, find and hire qualified workers, work out supply chains and logistics and hope they still can compete with slave labor countries. This has been going on after the affects of WW 2 ended and is not going to be fixed overnight

The tariffs start now. The consumer will pay the tariff now. The tariff will be paid until the product is made in the US. Pick a time - No better yet define what is "made in the USA"? Assembled? A percentage of parts? Origin of raw materials?

So now let's imagine all the millions of products that were not made in USA are. You can pick a date. We are told unemployment is at 4%. How many people will it require to staff all these new ventures? We can't find enough people to fill the wait staff at restaurants right now. When unemployment hits rock bottom the employee can dictate the terms of employment. They will dictate higher wages. Higher wages will also equal inflation.

This scenario assumes the economy somehow doesn't crash before all the plants are built due to higher prices equal less demand (affordability) and we go into a recession.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Buy American:
The United States imports most of its bananas from Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Colombia.
China is where the world gets most of its silk, with India being a distant second. If you want to buy American, you'd have to get your silk clothing and scarves from American fashion houses. You wouldn't want to get them from Marshall's, because they buy products from China and you need to not support any place that buys from China.

Don't expect your New Balance shoes to be made in the states - American-made shoes are a small percentage of their selection; most of them are made in China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

While there aren't any cars in the US that are fully made in China, MOST US-made cars use components that are manufactured in China.

Do you like drinking tea? Ice tea? Better stop drinking it. The vast majority of non-herbal tea in the US is imported from China.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

True, groceries don’t come from China, but things like backpacks, vacuum cleaners, clothing/textiles, fans, calculators and sink faucets do. In the end all the prices are forced upward to the new American made price.

Many groceries ARE made in China, or in Mexico, or in other countries with tariffs imposed.

[CybrSage]

Tariffs are a tax, there is no “if” and “or”, “but”.

Completely false, tariffs are not, and never have been, taxes.
Only Congress can authorize the taxes and only the President can authorize tariffs. They are clearly not the same

[CybrSage]

Do you like drinking tea? Ice tea? Better stop drinking it. The vast majority of non-herbal tea in the US is imported from China.

The US fought a war against tea, literally throwing it in the harbor. Torries SHOULD be punished for siding with the Crown still.





In case someone is too angry to tell, that was meant in jest.

[CybrSage]

So you're okay with people who are already so poor that they don't qualify to PAY income tax, having to pay MORE for the things they can barely afford in the first place?

So you are good with people being paid all but slave wages so you can have things cheaper? You are good with child labor so you can have cheaper goods?

See how silly such statements are yet?

[GWilliams]

About a week ago, I had to replace (under warranty) the charger for my Lithium Ion Golf Cart Battery.

The Chinese company was great . They shipped me a new charger from China within two days, and it arrived 4 days after they shipped it ... Air express via UPS.

Surprise, when UPS delivered the charger there was a $15 Tariff due (20% of the $75 charger valuation) and UPS tacked on another $15 service charge.

Obviously I was a bit surprised by this, especially the $15 service charge from UPS on a $15 Tariff.

As the economist and financial people have been saying ... US people and companies pay the tariff when the goods land ... its not a paid by Chinese companies. Additional, nobody has talked about the service charges that the shipping companies are imposing.

Just a little heads up if you are expecting a shipment directly from China.

Please note: I am not saying that Tariffs are good or bad policy - that needs to be decided by people with a lot more Tariff knowledge and experience than I have. This post is meant as just a heads up on what you might experience should you order directly from China.

Buy American

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

So you are good with people being paid all but slave wages so you can have things cheaper? You are good with child labor so you can have cheaper goods?

See how silly such statements are yet?

I'm good with the cost of living being lower somewhere else, so that employers can employ people for less, somewhere else, and those employees can enjoy the lower cost of living there, while I enjoy a higher cost of living here, but NOT as high as if those employers had to pay American wages for the same products.

I am against slave labor.

But the cost of living in China is approximately 50% lower than it is in the states. Minimum wage in the states does NOT cover the cost of living.

But the Chinese can be paid less than the American living wage, and still be able to afford a sustainable modest lifestyle.

Dairy costs significantly more in China than it does here in the States, but other than that - groceries are significantly less expensive there. While rents are around $2000/month on average here, they're only around $600/month there.

Again, I'm against slave labor. I'm against child labor. But I'm all for global economics.

[Normal]

Completely false, tariffs are not, and never have been, taxes.
Only Congress can authorize the taxes and only the President can authorize tariffs. They are clearly not the same

Who receives the extra money charged then? It is paid, and the government is the collecting agency.

By the way, any group can tax. Your state can tax goods and they aren’t congress. Shoot, even the local government tends to get a little tax happy.

[Stryker]

It’s really very simple. If we have to pay more money to cover the tariffs, it’s a bad thing.

[Papa5]

Tariffs should cause all imported tariffed “goods” to cost more at the point of sale. For the” majority” of imported and tariffed “goods” the US does not have the manufacturing or labor infrastructure to either produce the “goods” or to produce it at current selling prices.

[fdpaq0580]

Completely false, tariffs are not, and never have been, taxes.
Only Congress can authorize the taxes and only the President can authorize tariffs. They are clearly not the same

Both will ultimately be paid by the consumer. To me, the difference is as follows;
Taxes pay for things that benefit the taxpayers, like infrastructure, military, police, fire depts, health care, research, public education and welfare. These are things that benefit all of us.
Tariffs raise the cost of imported goods, with the hope of "leveling the playing field" so U S manufacturers can compete in the U S marketplace. While this may help U S manufacturing, the consumer will still pay more for products, regardless of place of origin. But keeping manufacturing in this country helps keep us from becoming economic slaves to manufacturing countries.

[sianagers@att.net]

It was sarcasm. I lived in a US/Canadian border town for years. I am very aware who pays the tariff. When I brought goods I purchased in Canada into the US I had to pay the tariff. The US government made me go inside fill out the paperwork and pay the DUTY on the spot ! Me myself and I - the consumer (in this case I was the importer) - not the manufacturer.

Like you Bill it amazes me people do not understand who pays the tariff.

The consumer pays either the country increases the price or we directly pay.

[jimjamuser]

If tariffs can replace the income tax, then I say bring it on.
If tariffs can help bring jobs back from overseas, I say bring it on.
It is true that manufacturing jobs need to be brought back to the US, but that won't happen instantly. It looks like there will be a period of economic PAIN on the horizon.

[Two Bills]

107440

[Normal]

It’s really very simple. If we have to pay more money to cover the tariffs, it’s a bad thing.

Perhaps, others just call the higher prices “inflation”.

[fdpaq0580]

Perhaps, others just call the higher prices “inflation”.

😱 NO!

That is certainly one part of the spiraling domino effect that is inflation.

[MandoMan]

About a week ago, I had to replace (under warranty) the charger for my Lithium Ion Golf Cart Battery.

The Chinese company was great . They shipped me a new charger from China within two days, and it arrived 4 days after they shipped it ... Air express via UPS.

Surprise, when UPS delivered the charger there was a $15 Tariff due (20% of the $75 charger valuation) and UPS tacked on another $15 service charge.

Obviously I was a bit surprised by this, especially the $15 service charge from UPS on a $15 Tariff.

As the economist and financial people have been saying ... US people and companies pay the tariff when the goods land ... its not a paid by Chinese companies. Additional, nobody has talked about the service charges that the shipping companies are imposing.

Just a little heads up if you are expecting a shipment directly from China.

Please note: I am not saying that Tariffs are good or bad policy - that needs to be decided by people with a lot more Tariff knowledge and experience than I have. This post is meant as just a heads up on what you might experience should you order directly from China.

Interesting. I suppose the service charge was because UPS had to figure out the amount, charge it, and send the money to the government. It’s possible that the service charge would be the same even if the amount of the purchase were much higher, as it costs no more to collect and pass on $100 than to do the same with $15.

[fdpaq0580]

Interesting. I suppose the service charge was because UPS had to figure out the amount, charge it, and send the money to the government. It’s possible that the service charge would be the same even if the amount of the purchase were much higher, as it costs no more to collect and pass on $100 than to do the same with $15.

Hmm? Tips don't work that way. Maybe they should? Just a thought.

[justjim]

Tariffs are mostly “smoke and mirrors” and so are the so called federal employees buyout and layoffs. All sounds good and plays with a lot of Americans. However, you have to look at the Federal Budget closer to see where the most money is spent. It’s Defense programs and Entitlement programs such as S.S. and Medicare. It appears that most don’t want to touch the “entitlement programs”. The Defense Department is a slippery slope also. We cannot afford to let our military down. With inability to reduce the budget significantly and reduction of taxes being proposed we will be adding significantly to the deficit. Does anybody care about the deficit our children and grandchildren are going to face in the not too distant future? Fore.

[retiredguy123]

Tariffs are mostly “smoke and mirrors” and so are the so called federal employees buyout and layoffs. All sounds good and plays with a lot of Americans. However, you have to look at the Federal Budget closer to see where the most money is spent. It’s Defense programs and Entitlement programs such as S.S. and Medicare. It appears that most don’t want to touch the “entitlement programs”. The Defense Department is a slippery slope also. We cannot afford to let our military down. With inability to reduce the budget significantly and reduction of taxes being proposed we will be adding significantly to the defect. Does anybody care about the defect our children and grandchildren are going to face in the not too distant future? Fore.
I was employed by the Federal Government for 35 years. A 10 percent reduction in the number of employees is way too low. I would reduce it by 80 percent and that would save a huge amount of money.

[Bill14564]

I was employed by the Federal Government for 35 years. A 10 percent reduction in the number of employees is way too low. I would reduce it by 80 percent and that would save a huge amount of money.

I was employed by the Federal Government for 34 years. My experience was diametrically different than yours.

[J1ceasar]

as per title - the mail service may be slower , BUT there is an exclusion up to $800 so no duty is paid nor form fees.. that's why temu and shein are so big ...

( 40 year importer )



About a week ago, I had to replace (under warranty) the charger for my Lithium Ion Golf Cart Battery.

The Chinese company was great . They shipped me a new charger from China within two days, and it arrived 4 days after they shipped it ... Air express via UPS.

Surprise, when UPS delivered the charger there was a $15 Tariff due (20% of the $75 charger valuation) and UPS tacked on another $15 service charge.

Obviously I was a bit surprised by this, especially the $15 service charge from UPS on a $15 Tariff.

As the economist and financial people have been saying ... US people and companies pay the tariff when the goods land ... its not a paid by Chinese companies. Additional, nobody has talked about the service charges that the shipping companies are imposing.

Just a little heads up if you are expecting a shipment directly from China.

Please note: I am not saying that Tariffs are good or bad policy - that needs to be decided by people with a lot more Tariff knowledge and experience than I have. This post is meant as just a heads up on what you might experience should you order directly from China.

[Larryandlinda]

Y’all think the sewer known as Amazon is huge?
Alibaba and others could fit them in their pockets.
For decades the USPS ( which is operating in low if any profit) has been pandering to China with basically free postage once the item hits our shores.
We avoid places like Walmart and Amazon aggressively since low prices have a high cost and they are strangling small businesses like our bicycle store, a 2.5 person operation for 45 years.
For household goods and many items for the store we go straight to away and hook up with independent people like us.
Sometimes , rarely, an Amazon fulfillment sends the item but that’s life.

[Cliff Fr]

Unless those American goods use imported materials (steel, aluminum, avocados, etc).

Plus, even if the materials come from American producers, a tariff on a competing import is a free ticket for the American producer to increase prices. Sure, I don't pay the tariff, but my wallet is still lighter.

We used to grow avocados here in Florida until so many people moved here

[Johnsocat]

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[DAVES]

About a week ago, I had to replace (under warranty) the charger for my Lithium Ion Golf Cart Battery.

The Chinese company was great . They shipped me a new charger from China within two days, and it arrived 4 days after they shipped it ... Air express via UPS.

Surprise, when UPS delivered the charger there was a $15 Tariff due (20% of the $75 charger valuation) and UPS tacked on another $15 service charge.

Obviously I was a bit surprised by this, especially the $15 service charge from UPS on a $15 Tariff.

As the economist and financial people have been saying ... US people and companies pay the tariff when the goods land ... its not a paid by Chinese companies. Additional, nobody has talked about the service charges that the shipping companies are imposing.

Just a little heads up if you are expecting a shipment directly from China.

Please note: I am not saying that Tariffs are good or bad policy - that needs to be decided by people with a lot more Tariff knowledge and experience than I have. This post is meant as just a heads up on what you might experience should you order directly from China.

I do not claim to be a tariff expert. If,it was due to a Tarriff, a bit of a surprise that it got to you from China that quickly. The company that sent you the replacement probably knew and had the necessary paperwork completed so the package was not opened.

Many years ago. Truth many many years ago, I worked for a place that sold lab equipment. Orders going overseas, often customers would tell us to remove stuff with high tarries on it and pack and bill them separate. For example if high tariff on a changer you would ship the cart and ship the charger as a separate item.

We've probably all ordered stuff from China. HUH? Never paid duty.
Freight free. HUH if you need to return it, the shipping is more than what you paid for the item.

Used to deal with it in photo equipment, Stuff would come in the backdoor avoiding the profit of the American distributor. Stuff that needed service. People would get angry when you explained the gray market stuff they bought was not covered by warranty.

[MorTech]

The Federal Mafia is forcing UPS to be a tax collector for the State. The UPS service charge is appropriate.

[southpawct]

Why in the world would you order from the company on line, when you can buy it already here?

[DAVES]

We used to grow avocados here in Florida until so many people moved here

The Villages, Lady Lake area was a huge grower of water melons and citrus. Far as avocados, they have become a fad. The trees grow large and I think you need a male and a female.

[CFrance]

Tariffs are mostly “smoke and mirrors” and so are the so called federal employees buyout and layoffs. All sounds good and plays with a lot of Americans. However, you have to look at the Federal Budget closer to see where the most money is spent. It’s Defense programs and Entitlement programs such as S.S. and Medicare. It appears that most don’t want to touch the “entitlement programs”. The Defense Department is a slippery slope also. We cannot afford to let our military down. With inability to reduce the budget significantly and reduction of taxes being proposed we will be adding significantly to the deficit. Does anybody care about the deficit our children and grandchildren are going to face in the not too distant future? Fore.
I think you mean deficit, although there surely is a lot of defect apparent.

[Normal]

Tariffs are mostly “smoke and mirrors” and so are the so called federal employees buyout and layoffs. All sounds good and plays with a lot of Americans. However, you have to look at the Federal Budget closer to see where the most money is spent. It’s Defense programs and Entitlement programs such as S.S. and Medicare. It appears that most don’t want to touch the “entitlement programs”. The Defense Department is a slippery slope also. We cannot afford to let our military down. With inability to reduce the budget significantly and reduction of taxes being proposed we will be adding significantly to the deficit. Does anybody care about the deficit our children and grandchildren are going to face in the not too distant future? Fore.

Money spent….entitlements.

Social Security funds were loaned by all of us to the US government for safe keeping and interest baring purposes. The funds need to be paid back to all who loaned their money in good faith to the US government under the guise of Social Security. I’m not really sure how the government could ever get by with saying they can’t pay us back just because they misspent the funds. The credibility of the US government, its finances and the dollar would collapse if payments were stopped. There are a few outs where payments could be stopped, those payments to any SSI recipients who hadn’t worked. You can call it an entitlement or whatever you like. The money is owed to those that loaned part of their income to the US government.

There basically wouldn’t be a US government if payments collapsed to the SS workers who loaned their money out to the government. The credit of the US, the dollar and everything else required for a government would fail.

[GoRedSox!]

If you buy American goods instead of Chinese crap there's no tariff. Simple fix for tariffs...The only way I can respond to this is: Look around your house. Let's start in the closets. If you are like most people, you will be hard pressed to find anything made in the USA. LL Bean even went overseas. Shirts, pants, shoes, socks, underwear, coats, sweaters....maybe some folks have some, but many, many families in this country don't have any articles of clothing made in the USA. Let's now go to appliances, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer, refrigerator....how many are made here in the USA? My Whirlpool appliances in my Villages house....made in China and most appliances are not made here. TV's, sound equipment...most made in China...I'm not sure if any TV's are made here anymore. Cars? 50% not made here. Our cellphones? Nope, not made here.

My point is that it's not so easy to just buy American. The experts said that widespread 25% tariffs on China would cost the average American household $3,900 per year. The margins are not big enough on this stuff for the manufacturer to swallow the tariffs. They will be largely paid by the American consumer, just like a tax on these goods.

[Bill14564]

Money spent….entitlements.
……


Nice essay but SS taxes are not loans to the Govt. SS taxes are taxes that fund Govt payments according to a set of rules. When necessary, the rules can change and payments adjusted accordingly.

[Normal]

Nice essay but SS taxes are not loans to the Govt. SS taxes are taxes that fund Govt payments according to a set of rules. When necessary, the rules can change and payments adjusted accordingly.

Federal income tax is a tax. Social security is a different deduction unless you have a job where the state ( ie. Ohio teachers) has their own pension investment program. Unfortunately, you even pay a tax on the Social Security you receive. So we are paying taxes on our tax?

[Bill14564]

Federal income tax is a tax. Social security is a different deduction unless you have a job where the state ( ie. Ohio teachers) has their own pension investment program. Unfortunately, you even pay a tax on the Social Security you receive. So we are paying taxes on our tax?

SS is a tax.

Yes, you pay taxes on up to 85% of the retirement income provided by SS depending on how much additional income you have.

[FloridaGuy66]

Simple solution: BUY AMERICAN. The pain we feel now will ensure our grandchildren have a future.

That's not a viable solution. First of all, the raw materials for many things cannot be sourced all in the US and it's not cost effective to import these raw materials here and then find people to work for minimum wage to produce the item at a competitive price. Factories here won't operate at a loss just to be patriotic.

It's simply cheaper and more efficient to have many things produced offshore. Otherwise, the price of almost EVERYTHING will go up. That will really put our grandchildren in a bad position with everything costing more and wages not going up at all.

[FloridaGuy66]

The only way I can respond to this is: Look around your house. Let's start in the closets. If you are like most people, you will be hard pressed to find anything made in the USA. LL Bean even went overseas. Shirts, pants, shoes, socks, underwear, coats, sweaters....maybe some folks have some, but many, many families in this country don't have any articles of clothing made in the USA. Let's now go to appliances, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer, refrigerator....how many are made here in the USA? My Whirlpool appliances in my Villages house....made in China and most appliances are not made here. TV's, sound equipment...most made in China...I'm not sure if any TV's are made here anymore. Cars? 50% not made here. Our cellphones? Nope, not made here.


I think some people in the US that aren't well travelled don't understand this at all. We don't have even 5% of the population to open all of these theoretical factories to make all of this stuff. Plus 99% of this stuff is being made by people making lower wages. These are the jobs we DON'T want in the US!

[MorTech]

Figure you spent $105 on that charger delivered. It is still cheaper than buying overpriced American junk. The $15 UPS tax collection fee seems a little high but collecting taxes for the State ain't free.

[Cuervo]

There is a giant wage disparity between many countries and the United States and companies in this country will take full advantage of it. To believe these companies because of 25% tariff will come rushing back to the U.S. is a dream. Even at a 25% rate it still more profitable to farm out the work offshore. Also, these companies are not going suffer financially from any of the tariffs, because they will pass it on to the consumer.
An example is Apple, do you really believe if you put a 25% tariff on their phones, they are going to start making them here.

[mikempp]

When it comes to tariffs the majority of the economist stand firm that the burden will fall on the American people and will start an economic battle that all parties will suffer. Look for those who have doubts this is even the beliefs of the Wall Street Journal, who main interest is the stability of the U.S financial markets.

So your solution is ship the jobs to China so you save $15?

[Bill14564]

So your solution is ship the jobs to China so you save $15?

For the most part, that ship has already sailed.

Tariffs on manufactured goods *might* be explained as a means to bring jobs back to the US. If we can tax the foreign-made goods to the point they are more expensive than American-made then perhaps consumers will choose to buy American. To be successful this requires there to be American-made goods to buy and it depends on the American manufacturer to not see this as an opportunity to increase their prices.

Tariffs on parts and components (integrated chips, steel, aluminum, etc) will increase the cost to manufacture items in America and therefore increase the price of American-made goods. Sure, it *might* be possible to rebuild the US steel industry but not quickly and the price of the steel produced will still be higher than the pre-tariff price (otherwise we would already be making that steel here). So again, prices to Americans will go up.

Is America willing to pay more to support American products, American jobs, and the American economy? Not voluntarily and not happily. Americans will notice the higher prices and the resulting higher inflation numbers.

[Normal]

Tariffs did fix a problem we had in the 60s when everything seemed to be labeled, “Made in Japan”.