USA tariffs that apply to import of ethnographic items.

A. G. Maisey · 30th September 2025, 01:41 PM

I think Australia Post has suspended it for us Ian.

I plan to do a bit of system testing after carriage of non-business parcels is resumed. The American side seems to be pretty clear cut, & the Australia Post system requires that a parcel must be accepted by destination country before it can be accepted. Hopefully I'm not going to have another bureaucratic fumjumble to sort out. I used to be a bureaucrat you know. Terrible people to have to deal with.

Ian · 30th September 2025, 05:46 PM

Hi Alan,

I had considered using one of the private carriers (Fedex, UPS, DHL), but the cost of sending even a small package to or from the US with any of them is prohibitive for the purchaser, and the Customs issues with those carriers is a mess. While I can understand why AUSPOST is taking its time working through the problems with the US tariffs, the delay does not help us.

We may just have to wait it out, Alan, until sanity returns to US trade policies.

Regards, Ian.

A. G. Maisey · 30th September 2025, 10:02 PM

Yes Ian, that's what it could come down to, just sit things out until the wind blows another way.

But as can be seen in Lee's post & the Nihonto Message Board discussion, there is certainly a degree of confusion about the present situation. However, if we take a strictly rational position which is in accord with the provisions of the legal framework that dictates what the tariff, if any, should be, it might be possible to dispel some of this confusion.

The item that began the Nihonto discussion is a Japanese sword, it is able to be classified by application of the HTS provisions as either a collectable item of ethnographic interest or as an antique. To determine the correct classification this must be determined in accordance with its primary interest, so it is required to be able to present an argument that supports either a primary interest as an antique, or a primary interest as an ethnographic collectable.

The pivotal question is this:- is this item collectable because it is an antique, or is it collectable because it is of ethnographic interest?

In my opinion, a good barrister could frame a convincing argument for either case. But we cannot have both classifications, the tariff must be decided under only one classification. In this situation we opt for the most favourable classification and comply strictly with all government required actions. I doubt that we would want a lawyer involved.

The value of the item is not relevant in determining the applicable tariff, most especially is it not relevant now, since the $800 threshold has been removed. It may well be that the value of an imported item could generate some impact on the cost of importation, but as far as determination of a classification under the HTS Schedule, that value is not something to be considered.

The only thing that is relevant is how the item should be classified, and there is a framework within which that can be achieved.

In my initial post to this thread I included a link to the Customs & Border Protection ruling that clarifies the way in which the responsible authorities consider matters such as this. Here is that link again:-

https://rulings.cbp.gov/ruling/N346428

This official ruling could be used as a model for preparation of a supporting document for the HTS classification used.

In the case of an item of high value, it might be advisable to use a professional service to deal with a matter such as this, but I believe that where the value of an item is of a comparatively low value, then the required documentation could easily be provided by the seller. We are considering this matter as it presently applies to import into the USA, but in fact, a similar situation has applied in Europe for many years, and can be satisfied by provision of an invoice or warrant statement.

I would welcome any information that can demonstrate that what I have written above is incorrect or inaccurate.

Sajen · 1st October 2025, 04:40 PM

My last two ethno blades I shipped on Aug. 23 this year and it arrived without any trouble by the buyer on Sept. 02. I don't know if this is of any help.

Regards,
Detlef

A. G. Maisey · 1st October 2025, 10:15 PM

Thank you for that info Detlef.

Yes, I think that this additional information is useful.

To me, it indicates that US postal officials are still working by the officially approved and documented procedures set forth in the 2025 HTS Revision 24.

At least insofar as low value private parcels are concerned.

High value imports to USA might be getting different attention, & I do not have sufficient knowledge of internal procedures to form an opinion on this, but as far as little fish go, I rather suspect that things will continue as they have in the past at least until another HTS Revision has been documented and issued. Even then I strongly suspect that for ethnographic items things could still stay the same.

There is another consideration also, and it is really a tariff or duty matter, it is a matter of bottom line numbers, ie, accounting.

Where countries have a duty free limit on personal imports it is not because they have hearts of gold & do not want to punish little people buying & selling little things.

Governments have these duty free provisions because to place any sort of tax on items below a certain level can result in an overall loss. Depending upon how that loss is calculated, the tax free limit varies, & might consider factors that would never be considered by any but the most diligent bureaucrat or number cruncher.

30th September 2025, 01:41 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,067	I think Australia Post has suspended it for us Ian. I plan to do a bit of system testing after carriage of non-business parcels is resumed. The American side seems to be pretty clear cut, & the Australia Post system requires that a parcel must be accepted by destination country before it can be accepted. Hopefully I'm not going to have another bureaucratic fumjumble to sort out. I used to be a bureaucrat you know. Terrible people to have to deal with.

30th September 2025, 05:46 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,481	Hi Alan, I had considered using one of the private carriers (Fedex, UPS, DHL), but the cost of sending even a small package to or from the US with any of them is prohibitive for the purchaser, and the Customs issues with those carriers is a mess. While I can understand why AUSPOST is taking its time working through the problems with the US tariffs, the delay does not help us. We may just have to wait it out, Alan, until sanity returns to US trade policies. Regards, Ian.

30th September 2025, 10:02 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,067	Yes Ian, that's what it could come down to, just sit things out until the wind blows another way. But as can be seen in Lee's post & the Nihonto Message Board discussion, there is certainly a degree of confusion about the present situation. However, if we take a strictly rational position which is in accord with the provisions of the legal framework that dictates what the tariff, if any, should be, it might be possible to dispel some of this confusion. The item that began the Nihonto discussion is a Japanese sword, it is able to be classified by application of the HTS provisions as either a collectable item of ethnographic interest or as an antique. To determine the correct classification this must be determined in accordance with its primary interest, so it is required to be able to present an argument that supports either a primary interest as an antique, or a primary interest as an ethnographic collectable. The pivotal question is this:- is this item collectable because it is an antique, or is it collectable because it is of ethnographic interest? In my opinion, a good barrister could frame a convincing argument for either case. But we cannot have both classifications, the tariff must be decided under only one classification. In this situation we opt for the most favourable classification and comply strictly with all government required actions. I doubt that we would want a lawyer involved. The value of the item is not relevant in determining the applicable tariff, most especially is it not relevant now, since the $800 threshold has been removed. It may well be that the value of an imported item could generate some impact on the cost of importation, but as far as determination of a classification under the HTS Schedule, that value is not something to be considered. The only thing that is relevant is how the item should be classified, and there is a framework within which that can be achieved. In my initial post to this thread I included a link to the Customs & Border Protection ruling that clarifies the way in which the responsible authorities consider matters such as this. Here is that link again:- https://rulings.cbp.gov/ruling/N346428 This official ruling could be used as a model for preparation of a supporting document for the HTS classification used. In the case of an item of high value, it might be advisable to use a professional service to deal with a matter such as this, but I believe that where the value of an item is of a comparatively low value, then the required documentation could easily be provided by the seller. We are considering this matter as it presently applies to import into the USA, but in fact, a similar situation has applied in Europe for many years, and can be satisfied by provision of an invoice or warrant statement. I would welcome any information that can demonstrate that what I have written above is incorrect or inaccurate.

1st October 2025, 04:40 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,360	My last two ethno blades I shipped on Aug. 23 this year and it arrived without any trouble by the buyer on Sept. 02. I don't know if this is of any help. Regards, Detlef

1st October 2025, 10:15 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,067	Thank you for that info Detlef. Yes, I think that this additional information is useful. To me, it indicates that US postal officials are still working by the officially approved and documented procedures set forth in the 2025 HTS Revision 24. At least insofar as low value private parcels are concerned. High value imports to USA might be getting different attention, & I do not have sufficient knowledge of internal procedures to form an opinion on this, but as far as little fish go, I rather suspect that things will continue as they have in the past at least until another HTS Revision has been documented and issued. Even then I strongly suspect that for ethnographic items things could still stay the same. There is another consideration also, and it is really a tariff or duty matter, it is a matter of bottom line numbers, ie, accounting. Where countries have a duty free limit on personal imports it is not because they have hearts of gold & do not want to punish little people buying & selling little things. Governments have these duty free provisions because to place any sort of tax on items below a certain level can result in an overall loss. Depending upon how that loss is calculated, the tax free limit varies, & might consider factors that would never be considered by any but the most diligent bureaucrat or number cruncher.