Tariffs on book purchases

Question

I’m trying to place an order and I received a message that says “tariffs would apply to the order by the carrier “. It doesn’t say what the cost would be. How does this work?

eastlaneave · Answer

@dormcmi-0

If your books were made in another country, they will be assessed tariffs when they arrive in USA.

You will be responsible for paying the tariff and any brokerage (tariff collection service) that is due. Sometimes you pay prior to delivery, sometimes you get a bill later.

I believe most tariffs are now 10% but it is a volatile issue, and could change. Do a search on tariff for the country where the book was manufactured, not where it is shipping from.

MORE INFO

The seller doesn't add or assess the duties/tariffs. Those are added by the US Government upon arrival.

Tariffs are paid by buyers, they aren't paid by sellers.

Tariffs are assessed by the country where the product is received, not the sending country, based on country where the product was manufactured.

There is no longer an $800 de minimis exemption on imported items. That was removed as part of this Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/suspending-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-fo...

Even though SCOTUS ended IEEPA tariffs, the de minimis exemption isn't restored to $800 since President Trump signed a new Executive Order https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/continuing-the-suspension-of-duty-free-de-mi...

And, President Trump imposed new tariffs (10%) under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/imposing-a-temporary-import-surcharge-to-add...

So, there are still tariffs on everything imported to USA.

Buyers pay a tariff, and the brokerage to collect the tariff. DHL, UPS and Fed Ex assess brokerage fees because they prepay the tariff at the dock and collect the tariff from the end buyer.

See https://pages.ebay.com/tariffs/

and https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/-/-/international-purchases-shipping?id=4057#section2

It's a bad time to buy products overseas, unfortunately

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Listings display this:

International shipping - items may be subject to customs processing depending on the item's customs value.

Sellers declare the item's customs value and must comply with customs declaration laws.

As the buyer, you should be aware of possible:

• Delays from customs inspection.

• Import duties and taxes which buyers must pay.

• Brokerage fees payable at the point of delivery.

Your country's customs office can offer more details, or visit eBay's page on international trade.

There is no longer an $800 de minimis exemption on imported items. That was removed as part of this Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/suspending-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-fo...

Even though IEEPA tariffs have ended, the de minimis exemption isn't restored to $800 since Trump signed a new Executive Order https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/continuing-the-suspension-of-duty-free-de-mi...

So you will need to pay a tariff, and likely brokerage to collect the tariff.

SCOTUS removed the IEEPA tariffs but Pres. Trump did add new tariffs (10%) under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/imposing-a-temporary-import-surcharge-to-address-fundamental-international-payments-problems/

So there are still tariffs on everything imported to USA.