Importing from North America Has Become Tough

[Stefan Mikes]

My two Mirrycle rear view mirrors (on separate e-bikes) need replacement. Both were beaten on crashes. It was never the glass that was shattered. It were the holder parts that became bent. I need to adjust the mirror position with my hand but bent is bent and will never be good again.

It was so easy and inexpensive to get a Mirrycle before the political changes in the United States! I could make a $11 purchase on Amazon. The shipment was done by Amazon, and the shipment was inexpensive, too. I could get the mirror in just five days! Now? It is still doable to order a Mirrycle (or a set of two) on Amazon or eBay. The shipment cost is now high, additional import fees may be charged, and the shipment takes up to two months! I tried buying a Mirrycle from a Canadian seller but the delivery time was as long as from the States (only perhaps the import fees would be avoided). A no-go!

I ordered the last Mirrycle available in Poland. Yes, as expensive as the direct import plus expensive shipping from North America but at least I would get the part on this Friday. Now, I need to think if I want to buy an ugly competitive product such as Hafny or Busch & Muller for my other e-bike...

Yes, it is still possible to get some American products in the EU when the brand has its offices in Europe. Similarly, Garbaruk of Poland has found a way to supply its American dealers and individual buyers in the way the end-user has all the formalities managed transparently. Only I think the price would be a way higher and the delivery times very long.

Bad bad times.

 

[ChezCheese:)]

We have essentially had a commercial Berlin Wall constructed around the US: nothing in, nothing out. It is absurd and unnecessary. Somebody needs to be sued for willfully trying to destroy the world economy.

 

[Chargeride]

China is destroying the western economies, and they have every chance of going down with us.
The meek will inherit the Earth.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

China is destroying the western economies, and they have every chance of going down with us.
The meek will inherit the Earth.

Was watching the snooker last night on the beeb and noticed some of the advertising patches on Judd Trump & Mark Shelby's waistcoats were Chinese. Googled it because I knew the game had caught on in Asia but was curious how much, how popular- there are now 400,000 snooker halls built in Chin the game is so popular. Schools have it as an official sport alongside Olympic sports and last years World Championship was won for the first time by a Chinese player, Zhao Xintong and watched by 150m in China.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is a god over there!

So looks like we're majorly exporting to them in a different way.

 

[stompandgo]

If the Chinese had not abused the deminimus rule, you would not have this problem. Poland has been imposing import tariffs to US shipments since before I was born. Reciprocal tariffs make sense economically. It's about time.

Try Hafny mirrors.

 

[Chargeride]

I hear British butlers are quite the status symbol, I was reading that Chinese tourists now recieve texts when on holiday reminding them to behave better abroad as they are representing their country, complete with local tips on ettiquette.

We need to do that with English tourists in Europe

 

[Roamers]

It was so easy and inexpensive to get a Mirrycle before the political changes in the United States! I could make a $11 purchase on Amazon. The shipment was done by Amazon, and the shipment was inexpensive, too. I could get the mirror in just five days!

That sucks, what are you folks doing with trade?

How many you want? I could have sent them over with my daughter (on vacation).

 

[Stefan Mikes]

That sucks, what are you folks doing with trade?

Us?

How many you want? I could have sent them over with my daughter (on vacation).

Thank you for your kind offer but I would politely decline it. Probably too long waiting.

 

[Roamers]

Us?

I must be behind on the news. Is the US blocking "Made in the US" products around the world? If we are, sorry about that.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

If the Chinese had not abused the deminimus rule, you would not have this problem. Poland has been imposing import tariffs to US shipments since before I was born. Reciprocal tariffs make sense economically. It's about time.

Before the last U.S. administration came, I had no issue with importing goods from the States and never paid any tariff on anything.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I must be behind on the news. Is the US blocking "Made in the US" products around the world? If we are, sorry about that.

One of the reasons is most courier companies stopped their activities on small parcels between the U.S. and the EU.

 

[stompandgo]

Before the last U.S. administration came, I had no issue with importing goods from the States and never paid any tariff on anything.

Right. On the flip side, US customers (mainly businesses) were paying tariffs on Polish items over $800. That is the definition of unbalanced trade, and the reason why tariffs are being levied on US goods abroad. Amazon has chosen to pass tariffs along to their customers. That's their business decision.

Everyone loves free trade until they have to pay for it.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Right. On the flip side, US customers (mainly businesses) were paying tariffs on Polish items over $800. That is the definition of unbalanced trade, and the reason why tariffs are being levied on US goods abroad. Amazon has chosen to pass tariffs along to their customers. That's their business decision.

Everyone loves free trade until they have to pay for it.

I understand the point you're making.... but who the hell ever purchased anything from Poland

 

[ChezCheese:)]

Right. On the flip side, US customers (mainly businesses) were paying tariffs on Polish items over $800. That is the definition of unbalanced trade, and the reason why tariffs are being levied on US goods abroad. Amazon has chosen to pass tariffs along to their customers. That's their business decision.

Everyone loves free trade until they have to pay for it.

OK, so you're saying before the current chaos, American businesses bought goods from Poland (though what you mean is the EU) and had to pay tariffs to US Customs on those goods if the value was over $800, yes? What were those tariffs I wonder? So I googled, and Ai answered: "Before the Trump administration, tariffs on Polish goods entering the U.S. varied depending on the product category, but many goods faced relatively low tariffs, often around 2.5% to 5%. Specific rates could differ based on trade agreements and the type of goods being imported.

Before the Trump administration, tariffs on Polish goods entering the United States were generally aligned with the Most Favored Nation (MFN) rates established under international trade agreements. The average tariff rate for imports from Poland was approximately 2.5% to 5% for most goods.

Specific Categories​

Product Category	Tariff Rate
Textiles and Apparel	8% - 20%
Machinery and Equipment	2.5% - 4%
Agricultural Products	0% - 5%
Chemicals	0% - 6%
Electronics	0% - 3%

Trade Agreements​

Poland, as a member of the European Union, benefited from trade agreements that generally reduced tariffs on goods traded between the EU and the U.S. This meant that many Polish products entered the U.S. market at lower rates compared to countries without such agreements.


Overall, the tariff structure was designed to promote trade while protecting certain domestic industries. The rates varied significantly depending on the product category."

Stefan's experience is that he could buy American goods at a good price and not pay tariffs (tariffs which would go to the EU Customs, not US Customs, BTW) . Therefore, he liked to buy American goods. You say this is the definition of unbalanced trade, but what I see is that American goods were attractively priced and made for happy customers, so that American businesses could sell more product.

China is grabbing market share while American consumers pay tariffs on imported goods, and the USA is finding that countries outside the US commercial Berlin Wall are quite able to buy from each other without these impediments.

America has so many guns it's no wonder it has shot itself in the foot. Or rather, the current administration has.

 

[Chargeride]

Biden wanted war games with China
Trumpy is putting up walls.

It seems the war game bit hasnt gone anywhere.

AUKUS will be worth the work. China’s alarm shows why Trump should get onboard | Lowy Institute

The strategic benefits far outweigh the operational and political challenges.

www.lowyinstitute.org

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Just to clarify one point.

It is not I bought the last Mirrycle in Poland. I bought the last Mirrycle available at Amazon EU!