What... This can't be. The BOSS said the Chinese were going to pay. He couldn't be wrong! He would not mislead us...
Sorry, off topic.

?

Perhaps one needs to look at imported model kits and stuff as being two different populations, in terms of tariffs and taxes?

One set are those piles of kits and stuff which DO arrive here in the US in "container loads" - destined for distributors, warehouses, wholesalers, and eventually sold to retailers (e or brick), who sell to YOU.

The other set are those individual kits and packets that folks buy from Chinese vendors, who ship these goods to you via the post or other carriers. NOT by any "container load" to one destination (they DO travel here in containers - to a stateside PO or carrier depot, to be routed on to the buyer location).

Tariffs can be levied onto the first set pretty easily. The stuff comes as a pile from one company, destined as a pile to another here in the states. There's an invoice with a quantity cost, etc. Customs will read this and figure the tariff and apply it to the shipment.

The individual case is much more complex for Customs. Yes, they CAN hold each package and call YOU up for the applicable tariff - which must be calc'd based on the declared value of those goods in that package. The clever Chinese vendor can simply sell you his goods at a small price and charge you a lot for shipping. This is probably a complicated can of worms for the customs guys.

Cheers! Bob

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Perhaps one needs to look at imported model kits and stuff as being two different populations, in terms of tariffs and taxes?

...

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The collection agency for stuff with duty that is mailed to you is the USPS. I don't think they will ship UPS or fedex when the American taxpayer is subsidizing the postal rates for developing conutries. China is on that list.

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Perhaps one needs to look at imported model kits and stuff as being two different populations, in terms of tariffs and taxes?

...

---

The collection agency for stuff with duty that is mailed to you is the USPS. I don't think they will ship UPS or fedex when the American taxpayer is subsidizing the postal rates for developing conutries. China is on that list.

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If my past experience is any measure... Customs can and will hold stuff pending payment of tariffs. But who holds the goods - Customs, the USPS, whomever - isn't the point. Us buyers WILL end up paying some tariff on kits eventually. Basically, models are now on the tariff list - they are "toys", and toys are on the current list.

The sad part is that local hobby wholesalers and retailers are caught - and stuff going by the crate to distributors will get a tariff charged. And this will pass to the retailers, who need to pass it on to you. So, EXPECT kits made in China to go UP in price. And expect more brick-n-mortar hobby stores to fold.

Tariffs are NEVER good for retailers, nor for buyers / consumers. The result is always that prices go UP. This have been borne out in every case throughout history. In the case of the plastic model hobby, tariffs will simply raise our costs.

For ALL models and related, likely. Retailers will try to restrain the 25% increase being levied on Chinese goods - which will become much less viable in their stores if raised the mandated 25% - by raising other goods in price to cover their tariff outlay while NOT raising prices the whole 25% on the ever-so-popular Chinese kits. NOBODY wins. Unless you can afford the hikes and don't mind paying more, your buying will be reduced. Means that the LHS will make fewer sales on average. NOBODY WINS.

The tariffs are allegedly aimed at pressuring China to change some aspects of how it does business with us. I can't fault the WH for trying to fix some of these standing issues. But tariffs are not actually the seeming best tool to push this quest along. What IS GUARANTEED is that all lower and middle (economic) class Americans will simply suffer some price inflation - and because many of the basic consumer goods in America are Chinese... this impact could be quite substantial.

May I suggest that each of us / you try actually figuring out what YOUR cost will be from this game? EVERY Chinese good that you will buy is likely to go up 25% in price (or other, non-Chinese goods will go up some so that stores can keep price-hikes on Chinese goods down some). Some of you likely buy a fair amount of made-in-China stuff on a week-to-week or monthly basis. So figure it out! And then, once YOU can estimate the cost... Ask yourself whether that cost or lost buying-power was worth whatever YOU think that we will actually "win" from this tiff.

No. The tariffs won't likely get YOU a new job with more pay. YES, it may drive some stores out of business. YES, it WILL impact your stock portfolio and IRA investments.

And YES, expect our hobby to get more expensive!

Cheers! Bob

Perhaps one needs to look at imported model kits and stuff as being two different populations, in terms of tariffs and taxes?

One set are those piles of kits and stuff which DO arrive here in the US in "container loads" - destined for distributors, warehouses, wholesalers, and eventually sold to retailers (e or brick), who sell to YOU.

The other set are those individual kits and packets that folks buy from Chinese vendors, who ship these goods to you via the post or other carriers. NOT by any "container load" to one destination (they DO travel here in containers - to a stateside PO or carrier depot, to be routed on to the buyer location).

Tariffs can be levied onto the first set pretty easily. The stuff comes as a pile from one company, destined as a pile to another here in the states. There's an invoice with a quantity cost, etc. Customs will read this and figure the tariff and apply it to the shipment.

The individual case is much more complex for Customs. Yes, they CAN hold each package and call YOU up for the applicable tariff - which must be calc'd based on the declared value of those goods in that package. The clever Chinese vendor can simply sell you his goods at a small price and charge you a lot for shipping. This is probably a complicated can of worms for the customs guys.

Cheers! Bob

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Quoted Text

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Quoted Text

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Perhaps one needs to look at imported model kits and stuff as being two different populations, in terms of tariffs and taxes?

...

---

The collection agency for stuff with duty that is mailed to you is the USPS. I don't think they will ship UPS or fedex when the American taxpayer is subsidizing the postal rates for developing conutries. China is on that list.

---

If my past experience is any measure... Customs can and will hold stuff pending payment of tariffs. But who holds the goods - Customs, the USPS, whomever - isn't the point. Us buyers WILL end up paying some tariff on kits eventually. Basically, models are now on the tariff list - they are "toys", and toys are on the current list.

The sad part is that local hobby wholesalers and retailers are caught - and stuff going by the crate to distributors will get a tariff charged. And this will pass to the retailers, who need to pass it on to you. So, EXPECT kits made in China to go UP in price. And expect more brick-n-mortar hobby stores to fold.

Tariffs are NEVER good for retailers, nor for buyers / consumers. The result is always that prices go UP. This have been borne out in every case throughout history. In the case of the plastic model hobby, tariffs will simply raise our costs.

For ALL models and related, likely. Retailers will try to restrain the 25% increase being levied on Chinese goods - which will become much less viable in their stores if raised the mandated 25% - by raising other goods in price to cover their tariff outlay while NOT raising prices the whole 25% on the ever-so-popular Chinese kits. NOBODY wins. Unless you can afford the hikes and don't mind paying more, your buying will be reduced. Means that the LHS will make fewer sales on average. NOBODY WINS.

The tariffs are allegedly aimed at pressuring China to change some aspects of how it does business with us. I can't fault the WH for trying to fix some of these standing issues. But tariffs are not actually the seeming best tool to push this quest along. What IS GUARANTEED is that all lower and middle (economic) class Americans will simply suffer some price inflation - and because many of the basic consumer goods in America are Chinese... this impact could be quite substantial.

May I suggest that each of us / you try actually figuring out what YOUR cost will be from this game? EVERY Chinese good that you will buy is likely to go up 25% in price (or other, non-Chinese goods will go up some so that stores can keep price-hikes on Chinese goods down some). Some of you likely buy a fair amount of made-in-China stuff on a week-to-week or monthly basis. So figure it out! And then, once YOU can estimate the cost... Ask yourself whether that cost or lost buying-power was worth whatever YOU think that we will actually "win" from this tiff.

No. The tariffs won't likely get YOU a new job with more pay. YES, it may drive some stores out of business. YES, it WILL impact your stock portfolio and IRA investments.

And YES, expect our hobby to get more expensive!

Cheers! Bob

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Wow Bob you must need to buy new models like some of us buy milk, bread and tater chips.

First off, I can retire with the kits I have now. If you need a couple let me know, I’ll let them go cheaper than the Chicoms.

Retailers always have the option of not stocking Chinese made goods. If any brick and mortar closes due the the tariffs, they had other issues entirely unrelated to importing model kits.

Nobody is arguing that a trade war is a good thing, but nothing China makes can’t be got anywhere else, and likely of better quality. So if I have to pay $5 more for sheet rock that isn’t laced with poison, I think I’ll handle that. I think most Americans will bite the bullet once they realize - if the hyperbole dissipates - that China has robbed us blind for years. Pocketed our politicians and CEOs and stolen everything that hasn’t been nailed down since Nixon visited Beijing.

Fact of the matter is this economy is roaring and this trade war isn’t going to stop that. If we lose a Walmart or three... life goes on. Same as it did when Walmart put dozens of other retailers out of business.

This tariff situation is not about punishing the Chicoms, it to try and stem their punishment of our economy. Trump is asking for nothing from them that our other trade partners don’t already give - without manipulating their currency everyday.

Sorry Bob, but your hyperbole is more whiny and moaning. Your TDS is showing.

.... CHINA has been trampling all over the United States since 1949...

You can ALL thank past administrations and both Houses of Congress for creating this pickle that the American citizens find themselves in today- CHINA has been trampling all over the United States since 1949...

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.... CHINA has been trampling all over the United States since 1949...

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Didn't the western powers do the same to China in the 1800s?

if the statements that preceded my reply had been made in my presence, a similar exchange would have occurred.

If you’re that concerned, and hobby doom is breathing down your neck, have the guts to start your own model manafacturing company. How hard can it be?

please don’t say this president is a liar. THEY HAVE ALL BEEN LIARS!