Toys and Tariffs (US customers)

[Primeval12]

Does anyone know if gifts will be taxed? My friend from the UK and I exchange care packages bi-annually, mostly containing figurines.

[suspsy]

I too am concerned about Safari's well being. And I fear that we're approaching the point where it will be quite impossible to not bring up global affairs in relation to toy collecting. It's nice to pretend that this forum exists in a bubble, but the key word is "pretend."

In the mean time, I will continue to support Everything Dinosaur.

[DinoToyForum]

I too am concerned about Safari's well being. And I fear that we're approaching the point where it will be quite impossible to not bring up global affairs in relation to toy collecting. It's nice to pretend that this forum exists in a bubble, but the key word is "pretend."

In the mean time, I will continue to support Everything Dinosaur.

This very thread is about "global affairs in relation to toy collecting". So it is allowed, so long as the discussion remains directly related to toy collecting.

[Gwangi]

I too am concerned about Safari's well being. And I fear that we're approaching the point where it will be quite impossible to not bring up global affairs in relation to toy collecting. It's nice to pretend that this forum exists in a bubble, but the key word is "pretend."

In the mean time, I will continue to support Everything Dinosaur.

Truthfully, if any of us can concern ourselves with toy collecting what with what's happening then we're better off than a lot of other folks will be. The impact of tariffs on toy collecting is as much of a first world problem as there can be. Frankly, the toys are the least of my worries. I will continue to support the companies I care about for as long as it is practical but toys will be the first non-essentials to get axed from the budget if need be.

[Shane]

For anyone who is genuinely concerned about Safari, all I can say is the best thing you can do is to continue to support Safari.

I'm not saying everyone needs to buy every toy, but I notice that none of the last round of Safari prehistoric releases have been reviewed on the DTB.

Obviously the company isn't going to live or die by the Dino Toy Blog reviews, but in the past it was always nice to see the latest items reviewed.

But that's maybe a different topic.

Edit by Admin... this specific post is quoted and continues here: https://dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=11748.msg393170#msg393170 

[Trenchcoated Rebbachisaur]

Oh damn, the retaliatory tariffs mean Safari is probably gonna get too expensive for me to be worth it rn. That kinda sucks, lol, I was still eyeing some of their stuff. Fingers crossed the company survives the next two to four years so the problem can fix itself

Edit: Nevermind they still produce their stuff in China, lets gooooo (sorry to the rest of y'all though)

[andrewsaurus rex]

Yes, gifts will be subject to tariffs just like other incoming products from a country with tariffs on it, IF the gift's value is above the deminimus threshold of the country it is coming into.  For most countries in the world, the deminimus is usually pretty low.  For the moment in the US it is still $800.  But that will be changing soon.

Pertinent section below for this link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/report-to-the-president-on-the-america-first-trade-po...

Chapter 9. Review of the De Minimis Exemption (Section 2(i) of AFTP)

Packages containing imports valued at $800 or less imported by one person on one day currently enter the United States duty free. The United States should end this duty-free de minimis exemption. This exception has resulted in approximately $10.8 billion in foregone tariff revenue in 2024 alone. De minimis shipments also pose serious security risks to the United States. The de minimis exemption is a means by which fentanyl, counterfeit goods, and various deadly and high-risk products enter the United States with little scrutiny. Countless consumer products that don't meet U.S. health and safety standards, such as flammable children's pajamas and lead-ridden plumbing fixtures, enter the United States through under the de minimis administrative exemption every year. This is in part because the government does not collect sufficient data on low-value shipments to allow for enforcement targeting. The de minimis exemption also allows for importers to evade trade enforcement tariffs; for instance, goods entering through the de minimis exemption do not need to pay duties owed pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. With nearly four million packages arriving each day through the de minimis exemption, it is imperative that DOC and CBP recover our rightful tariff revenue and defend our national security by ending the exemption.


So, the US deminimus is likely to be very low once it is changed.  Meaning anything coming into the US by mail/courier will be subject to tariffs just like other incoming products.  And remember, the tariffs are not based on the country that sent the item but rather the country that MADE the item.  Since most things are made in China, related to our hobby at least, that means it could be 50% tariff rates for US residents.  More if the tariffs are stacked ie country that sent the item's tariff rate plus the tariff rate of the country that made the item.

This could well cause a dramatic drop in dinosaur toy purchases from US buyers which in turn could adversely effect the profitably of the companies making the dinosaur toys.  So there is legitimate reason to be concerned about Safari...and everyone else.

[Over9K]

I do wonder if I'm going to hear from Lana Time about the paid for, but not yet shipped, Showanna Scottyrex...

[Shane]

So there is legitimate reason to be concerned about Safari...and everyone else.

While the concern from this forum is appreciated, this is the key takeaway. Safari is not the only company to be concerned about. If these tariffs go into effect as currently forecasted, there will be long-lasting and far-reaching effects throughout the industry.

[Over9K]

The BBC is reporting that as of midnight tonight the tariffs on Chinese goods imported into the US will be 104%.


BBC Live Reporting

[Elengassen]

Not sure how likely this is (I'm guessing not very), but it would be an unexpected upside if this situation led to the resurgence of Wild Past, as I believe their figures are made in Germany.

[ceratopsian]

To be precise, the BBC is reporting 104% "on some goods" imported from China.

The BBC is reporting that as of midnight tonight the tariffs on Chinese goods imported into the US will be 104%.


BBC Live Reporting

[stargatedalek]

Perhaps this is a silly hope, but it'd be a nice silver lining if all of this forced more of the big companies to set up European and Canadian distributors that can accept goods directly from China and avoid unnecessary US imports.

[Over9K]

To be precise, the BBC is reporting 104% "on some goods" imported from China.

That is true. My bad.

[Over9K]

Perhaps this is a silly hope, but it'd be a nice silver lining if all of this forced more of the big companies to set up European and Canadian distributors that can accept goods directly from China and avoid unnecessary US imports.

With the USMCA we could perhaps add Mexico to that list of possible homes for distro partners, or even production. I feel like some really great paleo-art and sculpture is coming out of Mexico. There is a deep well of talent and passion for the subject to be found there.

[thomasw100]

To be precise, the BBC is reporting 104% "on some goods" imported from China.

And who knows what it will be in few days. Maybe down to 50 % again or up to 200 %. These constant changes and the uncertainty surrounding it is what will do most damage to the economy.

[SBell]

Does anyone know if gifts will be taxed? My friend from the UK and I exchange care packages bi-annually, mostly containing figurines.

It's a common trick to label things "gift ' but they still need HS codes and values.
So you can devalue items, but if an insurance claim is required, that will be your maximum.

And if they randomly search and assess the parcel...suffice to say, it will cost more.

Customs workers know how much power they have!

[Primeval12]

Does anyone know if gifts will be taxed? My friend from the UK and I exchange care packages bi-annually, mostly containing figurines.

It's a common trick to label things "gift ' but they still need HS codes and values.
So you can devalue items, but if an insurance claim is required, that will be your maximum.

And if they randomly search and assess the parcel...suffice to say, it will cost more.

Customs workers know how much power they have!

These are legit gifts though so maybe it'll work...

[SBell]

Does anyone know if gifts will be taxed? My friend from the UK and I exchange care packages bi-annually, mostly containing figurines.

It's a common trick to label things "gift ' but they still need HS codes and values.
So you can devalue items, but if an insurance claim is required, that will be your maximum.

And if they randomly search and assess the parcel...suffice to say, it will cost more.

Customs workers know how much power they have!

These are legit gifts though so maybe it'll work...

It will still need a value. Might go through, might not. I don't trust Customs

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I do wonder if I'm going to hear from Lana Time about the paid for, but not yet shipped, Showanna Scottyrex...

Lana had said they were going to do their bust to absorb some of the fees as I recall.  I have pricey sculptures from them I've paid over time to get. If I paid 500.00 for it and I have to pay 550.00 more to get here is pretty ridiculous. I'm curious how it will play out. I have several preorders via Lana. 

I heard the California governor wasn't going to enforce the tariffs?  If true not sure how that would work.