Is the the end of CDJapan and other overseas vendors being viable for USA customers?

[T.D.]

45 minutes ago, cliffpeterson said:

Cd Japan on Japan Post: https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/info/20200401

 

 

Thanks. But that link implies that cdjapan is still shipping to USA via Fedex/DHL, while temporarily suspending Japan Post shipping.

I've always used Fedex/DHL, so it's confusing. Although I've shelved order plans until the tariff situation clarifies.

[cliffpeterson]

I have always used FEDEX or DHL.

 Why wouldn't CD Japan continue to ship orders to me in the US by DHL even with the tariff? As I understand it, the foreign vendor, CD Japan, has nothing to do with collection of that tariff.  

The tariff is charged at the time of customs clearance in the US. It is the US importing company, in this case-me, that is charged and pays the tariff.  For items shipped by DHL from Japan, US customs or perhaps DHL (but not CD Japan) would contact me to collect the tariff.  At that point, who contacts me and the process for that payment is unclear (to me and perhaps DHL).   If I do not pay the tariff (to US customs or anybody else, e.g., DHL), the item would be set aside by US customs as unclaimed. If so, CD Japan should not be concerned since it would have already collected the sale price and the shipping cost for DHL from me (given that, perhaps DHL will not be concerned about any confusion about collection of the tariff).

In the end, on an order for say 10 cds, if a cd from CD Japan will cost me $15 plus, on average, $2-3 for shipping, and also $3-4 for the tariff (assuming 20%), and taking into account any additional hassles due to the tariff, e.g., the tariff payment process, delay, can I get that cd from another source for less money?

Undoubtedly Cd Japan will probably lose business (including mine) because of the tariff. 

 

Edited Tuesday at 11:00 PM by cliffpeterson
proofing

[Stefan Wood]

There are many sellers I see on discogs that will not ship to the US.  It's going to be a dry spell for a bit.

[T.D.]

4 hours ago, cliffpeterson said:

I have always used FEDEX or DHL.

...  For items shipped by DHL from Japan, US customs or perhaps DHL (but not CD Japan) would contact me to collect the tariff.  At that point, who contacts me and the process for that payment is unclear (to me and perhaps DHL).   If I do not pay the tariff (to US customs or anybody else, e.g., DHL), the item would be set aside by US customs as unclaimed...

Undoubtedly Cd Japan will probably lose business (including mine) because of the tariff. 

 

 

[Emphasis added]. That's why I'm out for the foreseeable future. Not going to shell out $100+ upfront and then be at the mercy of some unknown (and probably half-assed) collection process while the mdse remains in limbo.

Edited Wednesday at 03:01 AM by T.D.

[clifford_thornton]

9 hours ago, felser said:

That would be very welcome news!

I hope this is true. It would change everything.

[Big Beat Steve]

7 hours ago, Stefan Wood said:

There are many sellers I see on discogs that will not ship to the US.  It's going to be a dry spell for a bit.

And in the end this is just the mirrored image of all those sellers on Discogs (and eBay - and Organissimo, FWIW ) who will not ship outside the USA. Understandable, sometimes a real pity, but that's the way it is. Not just now with all those weirdass tariff "politics" right now but for quite some time already due to ever-increasing USPS rates (and probably more involved paperwork or other - perceived or real - uncertainties at the seller's end). 

BTW, @Stefan Wood: Did you at one time live in Washington, DC? If so, I bought from you through eBay in 2004. 
 

Edited Wednesday at 07:14 AM by Big Beat Steve

[porcy62]

14 hours ago, Stefan Wood said:

There are many sellers I see on discogs that will not ship to the US.  It's going to be a dry spell for a bit.

Italian Postal Service has just announced that they will not ship small parcels to US. For sure one can ship FedEx and UPS, usually more expensive then Italian Post.

Edited Wednesday at 02:17 PM by porcy62

[felser]

7 hours ago, Big Beat Steve said:

And in the end this is just the mirrored image of all those sellers on Discogs (and eBay - and Organissimo, FWIW ) who will not ship outside the USA. Understandable, sometimes a real pity, but that's the way it is. Not just now with all those weirdass tariff "politics" right now but for quite some time already due to ever-increasing USPS rates (and probably more involved paperwork or other - perceived or real - uncertainties at the seller's end). 

I at one time did ship CD's to Europe, but had some nightmare experiences with some of the non-USA post offices (Italy was especially memorable), and decided it just wasn't worth the stress and trauma.  Plus, as you point out, rates have skyrocketed.

[cliffpeterson]

Discogs thinks that Trump's tariffs have never and do not currently apply to Records and cds:

 

https://www.discogs.com/about/news/united-states-tariff-impact-music-media-2025/

 

[RiRiIII]

Regarding EU orders, CDjapan offers the option the import taxes either  to be charged at paid by the buyer at check out, or *not* to be charged at check out (and in this case the package will/may be subject to customs clearance). I always choose the latter and shipping with the Japanese Postal services, because in this way the customs clearance and delivery will be done by the Greek postal services, while DHL/UPS et al. charge crazy handling fees on top of the legal import tax.

Wouldn't this work with shipments to USA as well?

[felser]

Here is what BandCamp sent out today:

Hello,

Significant changes are coming to global tariffs (import taxes imposed by a government) that may impact how packages enter the United States.

In practice, this means fees may be applied to some types of merchandise on US-bound shipments, and some Bandcamp sellers may choose to temporarily pause shipments to the US.

Also, several international postal carriers are temporarily suspending delivery to the US. These restrictions do not come from the artists or labels but from global carriers. If you have questions about how an artist or label is handling this for your order, you can contact them directly by clicking the “Contact” link on the right side of their page.

Remember, that while some artists and labels may suspend shipments to the US, you can always support them directly by purchasing digital music.

For more information, head to our help center.

[Niko]

31 minutes ago, RiRiIII said:

Regarding EU orders, CDjapan offers the option the import taxes either  to be charged at paid by the buyer at check out, or *not* to be charged at check out (and in this case the package will/may be subject to customs clearance). I always choose the latter and shipping with the Japanese Postal services, because in this way the customs clearance and delivery will be done by the Greek postal services, while DHL/UPS et al. charge crazy handling fees on top of the legal import tax.

Wouldn't this work with shipments to USA as well?

In a few weeks the answer will probably be yes, but in a top-down political system like they have in the US, it takes a few days for presidential decisions to become operational at the post office level.... In four weeks or so, they'll have a preferred way of collecting their tariffs and then postal services will be operational again, most likely.... Of course, the tariffs will still have to be paid and I will not comment further on possible long run effects because for good reasons political debates are forbidden here + how would I know

[ejp626]

I feel the bigger risk (that will deter a lot of shippers) is the uncertainty that some agent will just ahead and make up some new rules on the spot and slap on tariffs whether justified or not.  I definitely would not rely on the protocols being applied accurately, and in particular I would not count on CDs and LPs being exempt from tariffs. 

I found it was about 50/50 whether Canada post charged me import duties on shipments from the US (the de minimus threshold has always been laughably low and I don't think Canada did raise it, though it was supposed to), and I can guarantee you that in Canada at least import duties are applied to books, CDs and LPs.

[Stefan Wood]

On 8/27/2025 at 7:08 PM, cliffpeterson said:

Discogs thinks that Trump's tariffs have never and do not currently apply to Records and cds:

 

https://www.discogs.com/about/news/united-states-tariff-impact-music-media-2025/

 

They may not think that but tell it to those in Europe and Asia who have decided until there is some clarity on this issue, they ain't shipping to the US for the time being.

[T.D.]

Email just received from cdjapan:

 

Hello from CDJapan

Today, we would like to provide information for our U.S. customers regarding the impact of the reciprocal tariff on U.S. deliveries.

Following the suspension of the de minimis exemption (which allowed tax-free imports under USD 800), shipments to the United States will now be handled as outlined below:

In principle, a 15% import duty will be added based on the total product value, along with a customs clearance fee charged by the shipping carrier.

The clearance fee varies by carrier and is expected to be around USD 8–10.

DHL

Import duties and customs clearance fees are to be paid upon delivery.

FedEx Priority (Pak)

Import duties and customs clearance fees are to be paid upon delivery.

FedEx FICP

Starting September 12, 2025, duties and clearance fees will be prepaid at the time of order.

A 25% charge (including both duty and clearance fee) will be added to the total product value at checkout.

Japan Post

Import duties and clearance fees are to be paid upon delivery.

Japan Post shipments to the U.S. are currently temporarily suspended.

Note

Although U.S. customs regulations suggest that certain items—such as CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, and books (informational materials)—may be exempt from the 15% import duty, it remains unclear whether carriers are currently processing these shipments accordingly.

Therefore, please choose between FedEx Priority, Priority (Pak), or FICP based on the contents of your order.

Please note that our shipping policy may be revised in accordance with future developments in U.S. customs procedures.

Thank you for your continued support.

[felser]

😡

[T.D.]

Seems eminently reasonable on cdjapan's part and basically what cliff predicted above.

If I wanna get mad, I'll look elsewhere. 👎  But say no more due to forum policy. 😶

Edited 2 hours ago by T.D.

[felser]

I don't blame CDJapan a bit.  My blame is pointed elsewhere.

[Ken Dryden]

According to Discogs, recordings are supposedly not subject to the tariff, depending on how the seller labels them on the packing slip. I just received some CDs from Japan on Saturday and there was no money due, though it was under $100 in value.