What Do US Tariffs Mean For Your Merch Orders?

Photo Credit: Luku Muffin

Music platform Bandcamp warns users that US tariffs may impact shipments to the United States. Here’s what to know.

Bandcamp wants you to know that merch shipments to the U.S. might be negatively affected by the ongoing trade war inflicted by Donald Trump’s tariffs. That’s after the U.S. president abolished the “de minimis” trade exemption that allowed shipments worth less than $800 to enter the United States without paying customs duties.

The new rule dictates that shipments worth less than $100, which are listed as “personal gifts,” will still qualify for the exemption. As a result of the change, postal carriers worldwide have announced a hold on shipments until the Trump administration puts “clear procedures” in place.

Bandcamp warns users about the impact this might have on shipments into the U.S. They write that “fees may be applied to some types of merchandise on U.S.-bound shipments, and some Bandcamp sellers may choose to temporarily pause shipments to the U.S.”

“Several international postal carriers are temporarily suspending delivery to the U.S.,” they add. “These restrictions do not come from the artists or labels but from global carriers.”

Bandcamp notes to sellers on its platform that there is an exception for “informational media” entering the U.S., which includes vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, books, sheet music, and other items. However, sellers should be advised that, “despite this exception, many global mail carriers have suspended shipments to the United States without regard to the contents of the package.”

Further, the platform advises prospective customers buying vinyl or other merch to contact sellers directly if they have any concerns about shipments. Bandcamp notes that digital music is of course not subject to shipments, and can still be bought and sold on the platform without issue.

Overall, global carriers and vendors like Bandcamp seem to be at a loss. It remains to be seen in what other ways the tariffs will negatively affect shipments to the United States.