Just Got Slammed on Tarriff

[porschedude996]

So… I’m modifying my ‘83 911SC with Pop-Out Quarter Windows. Searching for parts and trying to keep the cost down and even finding some parts was a job. The prices were all over the place and many of the listed prices were not current on the Dealer sites. So I purchased on ebay the lower trim pieces in Black and they came from Germany and there was an anticipated savings of $30. I got an email from DHL about a tariff of $67.

So any savings went away.

As I am writing this, I checked on another item also purchased on ebay for the project. The latches are coming from Turkey! Another 20%…

I understand the Tariffs; we have been at a disadvantage on trade for years. On one side, we are getting good prices for goods and the manufacturing base here in the US was sliding away. Turning us into a Service Industry with lower wages. Having a high tariff on the opposite side of the world caused two things. It caused consumers in foreign countries to not purchase goods from the US and it enticed them to make the parts in their own country.

It isn’t going to kill me to pay this, but this my first first hand experience. What if there were no tariffs on anything in all directions?

[unclebilly]

Here’s where that falls apart. Were those 1/4 windows or latches EVER made in the US? Is it worth while for a US shop to tool up to make these limited production pieces? How much would that even cost?

Way more than what these cost you, even after the tariffs (that in this case didn’t protect a single US job).

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by porschedude996

Having a high tariff on the opposite side of the world caused two things. It caused consumers in foreign countries to not purchase goods from the US and it enticed them to make the parts in their own country.

It isn’t going to kill me to pay this, but this my first first hand experience. What if there were no tariffs on anything in all directions?

The tariffs didn't cause the imbalance, the imbalance is due to lower wages, lower standards of living, government interference in the free market, etc.

With no tariffs and no import restrictions, I suspect China would fair quite well. They could flood North America with steel, aluminum, EV's, electronics, etc. And what would they buy from North America?

With no tariffs certain countries would become overly reliant on others, to the point where national security (including the ability to produce enough food) could be at risk. Without going into PARF, the world has changed, and economic reliance on trading partners can't be assumed. No country wants to be without basic industry and agricultural abilities. Would the USA let China (further) decimate their steel industry?

Tariffs, properly applied, can balance trade. Punitively applied, they hurt everyone.

[vash]

Is this a duty tax?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Was it actually itemized as a “tariff” by DHL? Was the part more than $100?

[911boost]

Europe has charged us VAT for YEARS. Did not see anyone whining about it then, but I guess it is ok to do that now, because OMB.

[onewhippedpuppy]

There was recently a “de minimus” loophole closed that allowed goods sold into the US from international sellers for under $800 to pass through without import duties. This was mostly used for low cost goods from Chinese companies like ****, I saw numbers that it was about 80% of items that came in under $800. Under $100 is still exempt.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2025/08/29/tariff-loophole-on-low-value-imports-ends-heres-how-much-more-you-could-pay-for-online-packages/

[Rtrorkt]

Originally Posted by 911boost

Europe has charged us VAT for YEARS. Did not see anyone whining about it then, but I guess it is ok to do that now, because OMB.

you can get your VAT back if you just take a bit of time at the airport and have the receipt from the shop.

A relative bought a camera lens, that is not and never will be made in the US, DHL charged $750 in tariffs on top of his $3000 purchase. Total bs

[vash]

I ordered a bag from the UK. curiously how much the reaming will hurt.

[porschedude996]

My window latches cost another $40… I’m done buying from overseas direct. Any potential savings is gone. No way to really forecast the end price accurately. But now the increased price will reflect in the foreign made and bought here in the US. World trade is FUBAR.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by vash

I ordered a bag from the UK. curiously how much the reaming will hurt.

It depends. Have you repented?

[porschedude996]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Here’s where that falls apart. Were those 1/4 windows or latches EVER made in the US? Is it worth while for a US shop to tool up to make these limited production pieces? How much would that even cost?

Way more than what these cost you, even after the tariffs (that in this case didn’t protect a single US job).

Very True.