Shipping to the United States

Significant changes have been made to global tariffs that will likely affect how packages move between countries. Starting on August 29, 2025, the De Minimis exemption for packages entering the US will expire, meaning some merch items will be subject to tariffs. 

We know things are not set in stone, but we hope the following information will help guide you through these changes. Of course, this information is subject to change and is not intended to be legal advice, but we will try to keep this information up to date. 

What are tariffs?

  • Tariffs are essentially taxes imposed by a government on goods and services imported from other countries. The specific details can change based on the type of goods or services being offered and the location of the seller. Most commonly, it is a set percentage of the value of the goods being sold.

What is a de minimis exception?

  • This was an exemption that allowed packages or shipments under a certain value to be imported without additional duties or tariffs. These exemptions have historically been used to simplify global trade, and can vary from country to country. This is what is set to expire on August 29, 2025, for imports to the US.

What items are subject to tariffs?

  • Tariffs only apply to physical merchandise, not to digital sales.
  • Currently, there is an exception for “informational media” coming into the United States. That includes vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, books, sheet music, and other items. 
  • As it stands now, apparel and other soft goods shipped to the United States ARE subject to tariffs (shirts, hoodies, hats, totes, etc.). 

What to do about unexpected charges

If you’re charged customs duties on exempt music media, we recommend contacting your carrier to dispute the charge and request a refund. Just a heads-up: we can’t guarantee they’ll issue one, but it's worth asking.

If you’re charged a customs fee on music media, we suggest paying the invoice to avoid delays, then contacting your local customs office to start a dispute. Like above, we can’t promise a refund, but it’s the best path forward.

 

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