Tariffs

[CarlB]

I recently purchased a set of Revolution wheels from the UK. UPS sent me an email to pay the tariff before they would deliver. The tariff and processing charges were 104.00 dollars. I actually order the wheels, and they were shipped 1 day after the Court said the tariffs were not legal. That did not matter is what I was told. Last week I got a letter from UPS saying I still owed over 500 dollars more. They think I got 32 wheels. The other thing was for the exact same wheel with the same description on their invoice one after another the tariff charge was 10%, 25% and Free.       

[IamScotticus]

[JohnCh]

Someone on lotuselan.net recently had a similar issue with UPS for an ECU and a wiring harness. They applied the same eight tariff classifications to both parts. Three of those classifications were free, two were 10% and the remaining two were 25%, for a grand total of 70%. 

 

I'm still fighting FedEx's invoice for tariffs on my package they lost. They finally responded this morning to the last two email I sent them over two weeks ago, where I politely suggested they pull their collective heads out of their asses. Their response to both emails read:

 

Dear Valued FedEx Customer,
 
Thank you for contacting FedEx Disputes.

• The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that IEEPA tariffs charged by CBP were unlawful.  We are assessing whether these invoices contain charges for IEEPA tariffs.
• You do not need to take any action on these invoices at this time.

 The following link will guide you to recently posted information relating to the United States Supreme Court ruling and what it means for our customers -  https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/international/us-tariffs-impact.html

Thank you,
FedEx U.S. Duty and Tax Department (Enterprise Business Services)

 

Progress?

[TexasDreamer]

For my speedometer, I purchased a right-angle drive and cable from Chris at Redline. He was great. Parts were exactly what I needed. FedEx sent me a tariff bill for 60% of the total. 10% for HTSUS, 25% for ADA/CVD and 25% for IRC. My internet sleuthing did not contradict those percentages, so I paid the bill to FedEx. If I had comprehended the total cost, I might have continued multiplying the 5th gear tach reading by 20 and done without the speedo. However, it is nice that the speedo is original and works. Keeps me closer to legal in the school zones.

[wdb]

17 hours ago, CarlB said:

I recently purchased a set of Revolution wheels from the UK. UPS sent me an email to pay the tariff before they would deliver. The tariff and processing charges were 104.00 dollars. I actually order the wheels, and they were shipped 1 day after the Court said the tariffs were not legal. That did not matter is what I was told. Last week I got a letter from UPS saying I still owed over 500 dollars more. They think I got 32 wheels. The other thing was for the exact same wheel with the same description on their invoice one after another the tariff charge was 10%, 25% and Free.       

 

What a mess. Here's what google's AI has to say about importing wheels.

 

Quote

Tariffs on automobile wheels (rims) are generally calculated using the ad valorem method, which imposes a tax as a percentage of the declared customs value of the goods. As of 2025, imports of automobile wheels into the U.S. face complex, stacked tariffs, including a 25% tariff on many auto parts, potential Section 232 duties on steel/aluminum, and specific, often higher, rates for products from China. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Here is a breakdown of how tariffs are calculated:

1. Calculation Components

The total tariff is rarely just one number. It is calculated by combining several layers: [1, 2]

• Base Duty (Ad Valorem): A percentage based on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code for the wheel (e.g., steel or aluminum).
• Section 232 Tariffs: A 25% fee on steel or aluminum imports, often applied if the wheels are manufactured with foreign-sourced metal.
• Country-Specific Tariffs: Specialized duties, such as the 10%–20% or higher, on Chinese-made parts.
• Merchandise Processing Fees/Harbor Fees: Additional fees applied to shipments. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

2. The 2025 Tariff Structure

New 2025 trade policies introduced in the U.S. have significantly changed the calculation landscape: [1, 2, 3]

• General Auto Parts Tariff: 25% on most imported auto parts.
• Chinese Imports: Effective tariffs on Chinese-made auto components can reach 145-150% due to combined punitive duties.
• Mexican/Canadian Imports: 25% tariffs apply to goods not complying with USMCA (U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement) rules.
• Non-US Content Calculation: For USMCA-compliant vehicles or parts, the 25% tariff may only apply to the value of the non-U.S. content. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

3. Example Scenario

If an importer brings in a set of wheels with a declared customs value of $1,000:

1. Value: $1,000
2. Base Rate (Assuming 25% Section 232/Part Tariff): $1,000 × 25% = $250
3. Potential Add-ons: Additional duties for specific origins (e.g., China).
4. Final Estimated Duty: $250+ (before shipping fees). [1, 2]

Key Factors in Calculation

• HTS Code Classification: The 10-digit code determines the rate. Wheels (rims) fall under specific codes within Chapter 87 (parts) or Chapter 73 (steel) / 76 (aluminum).
• Country of Origin: A key factor for determining if a product is subject to higher retaliatory tariffs (e.g., China) or exempt via trade agreements (e.g., USMCA).
• Declared Value: The transaction value shown on the commercial invoice determines the total amount upon which the percentage is applied.
• "Derivative" Products: If finished wheels are deemed a "derivative" of raw steel or aluminum, they are subject to the same 25% Section 232 duty. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Note: Tariffs are currently in a high state of flux and are often updated. Many imports are processed by customs brokers who determine the exact classification and duty rate upon entry. [1, 2, 3]

 

[williamwashere]

My company has to import/export a lot of equipment. Everything I've heard from the procurement folks is that right now, if you're in a hurry, you're going to just have to accept whatever the customs agent at whatever shipper currently thinks is the safest, most legal way for them to do it right now. If you want to dispute it and get the "right" rate, you can do that, but be prepared for it to take a lot of extra time. It's fairly painful with all the uncertainty and the rush of goods coming in and out with little system support, depending on the shift you get and who's at the terminal you can get different rates right now. As a company we have lawyers and staff that can handle the corrections, there is a formal process for doing these things, but as an individual I'd really have to figure out if it's worth the time/effort. What a world we live in right now.

[CarlB]

On 3/30/2026 at 4:31 PM, JohnCh said:

Someone on lotuselan.net recently had a similar issue with UPS for an ECU and a wiring harness. They applied the same eight tariff classifications to both parts. Three of those classifications were free, two were 10% and the remaining two were 25%, for a grand total of 70%. 

 

I'm still fighting FedEx's invoice for tariffs on my package they lost. They finally responded this morning to the last two email I sent them over two weeks ago, where I politely suggested they pull their collective heads out of their asses. Their response to both emails read:

 

Dear Valued FedEx Customer,
 
Thank you for contacting FedEx Disputes.

• The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that IEEPA tariffs charged by CBP were unlawful.  We are assessing whether these invoices contain charges for IEEPA tariffs.
• You do not need to take any action on these invoices at this time.

 The following link will guide you to recently posted information relating to the United States Supreme Court ruling and what it means for our customers -  https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/international/us-tariffs-impact.html

Thank you,
FedEx U.S. Duty and Tax Department (Enterprise Business Services)

 

Progress?

Thank you for that information. My wheels arrived on 2/24/26. That was the first day the tariffs were supposed to be lifted. 

[speedwagon]

tariffs are a bribe demanded from you in order for what you own to enter the country. we the people instituted them with a small pencil mark on a ballot.  not my horse.

[IamScotticus]

Tariffs allow USA manufacturers to compete in the market against imported competition.

Just try to manufacture something and sell it in this country.

In short order, some foreigner will make a counterfeit in another country at a fraction of your costs and sell it in the USA, undercutting your lowest price by 50%.

Then you try to offset your losses by selling your product in that aforementioned foreign land and you will be hit by a 35-50% tariff to defend the local sales of your counterfeited product, of which the manufacturer made with government subsidies and grants.

 

The United States, historically, has had the lowest tariffs of any nation, and especially, benefitting the #1 counterfeiter.  

We also allow the import of resources tariff-free under a quota program.

 

The problem with tariffs now, is the instability.  They change too rapidly.  I believe this is a temporary condition.

I'm not an import broker, but I work close to it.

Tariffs have a purpose. Used correctly, they are beneficial.

 

Edited April 1 by IamScotticus

[Xhilr8n]

The reason manufacturing left the US is because labor, often the major overhead item, was less costly.  American laborers expect to be at least middle class with healthcare and holidays and vacations and retirement plans.  Own a house, all that stuff that’s been normal for us.
 

The only way the arithmetic works is if the US can get enough people poor and desperate enough to be willing to live like Chinese laborers.  
 

Seems like we are unavoidably on that trajectory, and it does not matter all that much who’s in charge in terms of our Culture’s destination.  Regardless of who is driving we can hear and now smell the waterfall ahead.

Edited April 1 by Xhilr8n

[Vovchandr]

2 hours ago, IamScotticus said:

Tariffs allow USA manufacturers to compete in the market against imported competition.

Just try to manufacture something and sell it in this country.

In short order, some foreigner will make a counterfeit in another country at a fraction of your costs and sell it in the USA, undercutting your lowest price by 50%.

Then you try to offset your losses by selling your product in that aforementioned foreign land and you will be hit by a 35-50% tariff to defend the local sales of your counterfeited product, of which the manufacturer made with government subsidies and grants.

 

The United States, historically, has had the lowest tariffs of any nation, and especially, benefitting the #1 counterfeiter.  

We also allow the import of resources tariff-free under a quota program.

 

The problem with tariffs now, is the instability.  They change too rapidly.  I believe this is a temporary condition.

I'm not an import broker, but I work close to it.

Tariffs have a purpose. Used correctly, they are beneficial.

 

 

Blanket tariffs especially that end up covering things that cannot be produced, sourced or grown in the United States do nothing to solve competition, in those situations it's just a tax on people. 

[Marek]

6 hours ago, Vovchandr said:

 

Blanket tariffs especially that end up covering things that cannot be produced, sourced or grown in the United States do nothing to solve competition, in those situations it's just a tax on people. 

 

A knife, once dull, is no longer a useful tool. It becomes just an implement for randomly hurting yourself.

Edited April 2 by Marek

[IamScotticus]

15 hours ago, Vovchandr said:

 

Blanket tariffs especially that end up covering things that cannot be produced, sourced or grown in the United States do nothing to solve competition, in those situations it's just a tax on people. 

I can't disagree there will be some senseless policy.  The whole business is very complex.  I don't disagree there will be some unintended consequences. 

Fortunately,  tariffs can be changed rapidly without a long drawn out contested and litigated process. 

Edited April 2 by IamScotticus

[wdb]

Two words: de minimis. Put it back for heaven's sake. Let the little fish swim.