New Tariffs for U.S. makers

[Altra]

I have an existing order with JLPCB that has been stalled for over a week. I assumed Chinese New years was the cause. After some snooping I found this info. The new administration has lifted the $800 minimum exemption on imports to the U.S.. So now tariffs have to be paid on all imports from China. The tariff itself is not that bad, I believe about 10%. The problem now is the paper work. DHL, FEDEX and UPS are charging a fee to fill out the customs forms and to collect the taxes. Another big fall out is the US postal service has slowed accepting packages from China post for the same reasons. This will kill the Aliexpress , ebay cheap electronic parts and module business. The Chinese have anticipated this for a while and have a network of US warehouses. Before ordering make sure you know the potential cost.

Here are posts on the situtation

https://www.reddit.com/r/diypedals/c...rom/?rdt=55211

A little more confusion explained

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/04/busin...hnk/index.html

[ivconic]

Ideal opportunity for enterprising ones to take out loans from the bank and start factories for the production of PCBs and modules in the USA!

[Altra]

Ideal opportunity for enterprising ones to take out loans from the bank and start factories for the production of PCBs and modules in the USA!

That's one of the motivations for the tariffs. To revitalize domestic manufacturing. But, nothing happens over night. Like the EU we have a lot of environmental hurdles, which increase costs. Workers are demanding higher wages. It will never be as low as the current imports.

One of my pcb from Jlpcb is $8 for 5/pc 11.5 square inches each. The lowest price in the US, from oshpark $5/sq_in for 3/pc. or $57. My current order from Jlpcb includes four pcbs designs and a stencil total $27 plus $31 dhl shipping. This is super low cost, even with taxes and tariffs. The problem right now is the paper work. Soon I am sure the tariffs will be added to the invoice like VAT is currently and back to normal.

[eclipse]

In the EU we have no minimum limit.
You need to fill out paperwork even for 5$. DHL process is so far the best (no fee for paperwork). You just need to provide proof of payment, purchase docs etc.
2 weeks ago I purchased from the US something (15$ for item, 35$ for shipping to the EU, 35$ paperwork processing by UPS), + 20% customs fee. Literally got ripped of by UPS and misc fees considering the price of the item and price of the other "extras"

[Altra]

DHL delivered my pcbs today. There were no additional charges. Two possibilities - my order was placed (Feb 24) before the tariffs were imposed or they have backed off of small package tariffs? First time JLCpcb has lost a order of mine, causing a two week delay. All good for now.