Sales to the US: shipping, duties & taxes

In July 30 2025, the U.S. government announced a presidential order concerning U.S.-bound shipments, titled "Suspension of De Minimis Rules for All Countries."

This order states that as of August 29 2025, shipments containing goods imported for consumption will no longer be eligible for De Minimis Rules and will be subject to tariffs.

We have no intention of stopping sales to our many and wonderful US-based customers, and although we have zero control over these tariffs, they still have to be paid in order for you to receive your order.
Therefore the relevant duty is now applied at checkout to all orders from US.

However, for all orders destined for the United States, we ask that you please keep the following in mind when you order:

1. Unless you select 'Request Custom Shipping', duty & tariffs are calculated automatically at checkout. We currently pay these on your behalf, as this gives a better cost saving for our US customers.

2. Price includes all packaging materials, careful wrapping by hand and cost of delivery. We are an all-human team!

3. Please be aware that delivery delays may occur that we have no control over.

4. Please retain shipping information such as the name of shipping company and tracking number provided. If you don't have it, please ask. We keep shipping info for all orders until we know items are delivered. If you have any questions about the whereabouts of your parcel, please contact the shipping company or customs authorities.

5. If you're uncertain about which shipping option to choose at checkout, please get in touch, we're very happy to help.

6. While the issue of imports to the US is still a changing landscape, please be aware that other duties may still be applied on the US side. We have no control over these. If you refuse to pay the customs duties (and it is your right you do so!) there is a possibility that you won't receive your package. In this case, the package will be returned to us, but we are not be able to issue a refund for the product and shipping fees. If you request a redelivery, we ask you to charge the reshipment fee. (in some cases, the shipping company or U.S. Customs may dispose of the package).

7. If you forget to pay or are unaware of the customs duties, the package may be returned to our shop after the storage period expires. In this case, we're not able to issue a refund for the product and shipping fees. We can try and send it to you a second time, but a redelivery plus possible repackage fee will be charged for returned items (in some cases, the shipping company may dispose of the package).

Any worries or questions? leigh@inkymolesmotors.com

We work with customers in virtually every time zone, so you shouldn't have to wait too long for a reply!

📦 Clarification on the import to the US of steel/aluminium cast and/or moulded in Japan

We recently helped a customer unpick the details of a duty charge applied to a car she had imported to the US. After much research and consulting various authorities, it emerged the charge she was being asked to pay was not, in fact, correctly applied to her import and should not have been levied. This appeared to be based on a lack of understanding of the vehicle itself, where it was manufactured, and what it was manufactured from.

In the light of that, we therefore offer the following information in the hope it is helpful.

CUSTOMS DECLARATION - Importing cast and/or moulded steel and aluminium product to the US that are made in Japan

Country of origin: Japan

Steel/aluminium: Cast and moulded in Japan

Origin clarification: Not Chinese or Russian origin

Tariff clarification: Section 301 does not apply

Duty statement: A 15% tariff only will be paid on any cast/moulded Japanese steel or aluminium products shipped from us here in the UK.

📦 In more detail

Duty depends on the HTSUS code assigned by CBP (Customer & Border Protection). CBP decides duty based on how the part is officially classified in US law - not what we or you call it.

To the best of our knowledge, we use the correct international HS code for each product. U.S. Customs (CBP) then applies the appropriate U.S.-specific HTSUS classification and duty at import.

(HTSUS stands for the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. It's the system U.S. Customs uses to classify imported goods and decide what duty rate applies.)
We are by no means experts in this area - it's complex, and at times feels unnecessarily opaque. But if you are worried about anything, we will do our best to help; just get in touch!

“The light looks great and thank you for being able to provide these retro goodies, more please.”

Christine, Pao Owner, Isle of Man.