Imports

[Jim Burns]

There are " Harmonized Tariff Codes" used in international commerce.  Most countries allow duty free import of "Amateur Radio Equipment" and there are specific HTC codes for amateur radio equipment.  I have used these codes for the last 32 years for international shipments to/from the U.S.  I'm not sure if these codes are currently valid for small shipments to individuals.   Maybe someone reading this will know.

Jim WB4ILP 

Jim Burns
Alpha Delta Radio Communications, LLC

[k...@milnes.tv]

Here is what ChatGPT says on the subject:

 

 

Summary Answer

No, amateur radio equipment is not exempt from the Trump tariffs, based on the best available information as of now.

---

What the Sources Say

• A user on Groups.io (March 22, 2025) claimed that the U.S. and Canada were “STILL exempting newly purchased amateur radio equipment from import or export tariffs.” However, that claim lacks official documentation or confirmation Wikipedia+15Groups.io+15International Trade Insights+15.
• On the other side, a May 2025 article noted that amateur radio goods imported from China and Japan are subject to tariffs, which can be substantial—up to 24% or more, depending on the origin Q R P e r.

At this time, there is no authoritative, government-issued exemption specifically for amateur radio equipment. As such, unless a formal list from USTR or White House documents specifies otherwise, these goods are treated like other electronic imports.

---

Context on Trump-Era Tariffs

Several notable policies were enacted over 2025:

• "Liberation Day" tariffs (Executive Order 14257) introduced a 10% baseline tariff on most imports starting April 5, 2025, plus country-specific rates beginning April 9 Supply Chain Dive+6Q R P e r+6Groups.io+6International Trade Insights+4Wikipedia+4Wikipedia+4.
• Exclusions were made for certain categories, such as books, automobiles, smartphones, computers, semiconductors, and similar electronics—but amateur radio equipment was not included in these exemptions Wikipedia+1.
• The "de minimis" exemption, which previously allowed low-value shipments (under $800) to enter duty-free, was terminated for goods from China and Hong Kong as of May 2025, and then eliminated globally by late August 2025 Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2.

---

What You Should Do Next

1. Identify the exact HTS code for your specific amateur radio gear. Commonly used codes include those like 8525.60.xxxx, but it's important to confirm via the official HTSUS or through CBP rulings myGMRS.com ForumsWikipedia.
2. Consult the official U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tools for the current duty rates and any recent changes.
3. If preferred, consider filing a binding ruling request with CBP to get a formal, enforceable classification and tariff determination for your equipment.

---

TL;DR

• Despite informal claims of exemption, there's no verified government exemption for amateur radio equipment.
• Tariffs—particularly on imports from China and Japan—apply to amateur radio goods, and can be sizeable.
• The equipment was not specifically included in the excluded-list of electronics secured under Trump-era tariffs.
• For accurate duties, you'd need to identify the HTS code and refer to CBP or USITC for the current tariff rate.

If you'd like, I can help you locate the HTS code or guide you to the official database—just let me know!

 

Ken – AI7LF

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Hermes-Lite" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hermes-lite/CAPu%3D2Ng7Htr-h%3DpPgMi%3DFZrsOQFTPh6JH-q1Y3FV1Y_nZQtQvw%40mail.gmail.com.