• Tired of adverts on RWI? - Subscribe by clicking HERE and PMing Trailboss for instructions and they will magically go away!

USA Reps- What are YOU Doing Go Forward?

Mike116

I'm Pretty Popular
20/11/12
2,515
580
113
Back of beyond
Read a local news article today and de minimis start now for China/ Hong Kong and will soon be implemented for USA bound goods from all other countries as per cut and paste below. It didn't say how much that would be but anything going to the states from here in new Zealand is 10% or it might be a flat fee I guess


De minimis packages from places other than mainland China and Hong Kong are poised to lose their tariff exemption too once a system to “expeditiously process and collect” the duties is in place, according to an executive order issued by Trump.
 

bcwatcher

In rep therapy
24/6/24
129
196
43
USA
Read a local news article today and de minimis start now for China/ Hong Kong and will soon be implemented for USA bound goods from all other countries as per cut and paste below. It didn't say how much that would be but anything going to the states from here in new Zealand is 10% or it might be a flat fee I guess


De minimis packages from places other than mainland China and Hong Kong are poised to lose their tariff exemption too once a system to “expeditiously process and collect” the duties is in place, according to an executive order issued by Trump.
This is why triangle shipping won't resolve anything.
Bottom line is costs increase.. seizure was always a risk in the rep game.
Just budget your rep spending now 😆
 

Karbon74

Pika Factory
Patron
Certified
5/5/23
11,969
24,854
113
EU - Kalos Region
The West, EU included, has forgotten that the reason the World is west centric, is that European nations, then the USA had production, technology and then industrial dominance.

We gave up production in exchange of cheaper goods (eg reps…)…which end with us losing industry and we are on track to lose the technology edge too…

« Empires » come and go…what is really interesting is that most empires went downhill at the moment they started to look inside vs outside.

Will that change our lives? Not significantly so, though some will find the mindset shift difficult
 

muiramas

Aristocrat
18/1/17
6,076
8,043
113
Watches - where the US is heading they won’t need watches - but maybe they can make some for export…


  • U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick says factory gigs are the “great jobs of the future” that Gen Z could work in for the “rest” of their life—and so could their grandkids. “This is the new model, where you work in these plants for the rest of your life, and your kids work here, and your grandkids work here.”


Sounds delightful…
 

Karbon74

Pika Factory
Patron
Certified
5/5/23
11,969
24,854
113
EU - Kalos Region
Watches - where the US is heading they won’t need watches - but maybe they can make some for export…


  • U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick says factory gigs are the “great jobs of the future” that Gen Z could work in for the “rest” of their life—and so could their grandkids. “This is the new model, where you work in these plants for the rest of your life, and your kids work here, and your grandkids work here.”


Sounds delightful…
Welcome to Serfdom…
 
  • Like
Reactions: RDRoss and BobClod

Mjh2k4

I'm Pretty Popular
Gold Patron
Certified
31/7/24
1,168
1,875
113
Southeast England
Watches - where the US is heading they won’t need watches - but maybe they can make some for export…


  • U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick says factory gigs are the “great jobs of the future” that Gen Z could work in for the “rest” of their life—and so could their grandkids. “This is the new model, where you work in these plants for the rest of your life, and your kids work here, and your grandkids work here.”


Sounds delightful…
Jesus H Christ.

On a more positive note, do you think they’ll put a tiny “Made in the USA” stamp in the case backs for the new American rep market once Gen Z and their kids start working their shifts in the factories?
 

trailboss99

Head Honcho - Cat Herder
Staff member
Administrator
Certified
30/3/08
43,876
19,955
113
Watches - where the US is heading they won’t need watches - but maybe they can make some for export…


  • U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick says factory gigs are the “great jobs of the future” that Gen Z could work in for the “rest” of their life—and so could their grandkids. “This is the new model, where you work in these plants for the rest of your life, and your kids work here, and your grandkids work here.”


Sounds delightful…
That's YOUR kids, not his kids. His kids won't be working in no damn factory.
 

eBoy

⚜️ RWI NMA Chief Bracelet Link Remover ⛓️‍💥🔗🪛🔧
Section Moderator
Certified
2/4/21
15,134
25,598
113
A place of darkness and light a.k.a. EU
That's YOUR kids, not his kids. His kids won't be working in no damn factory.

One of the biggest issues in the Western liberalism/conservatism paradigm is that, traditionally, the left wants everyone to go to college—whether they want to or not, hyperbolically speaking—while the right only wants that opportunity for their own children, expecting everyone else to settle for much less (even if they don’t want to).

In the US, this dynamic seems to be playing out in an especially distorted way. European centrism (or more specifically, center-left and center-right) has done a bit better on this front, but it's far from ideal.
 

Caboose

I'm Pretty Popular
Staff member
Moderator Sales
Certified
27/2/15
2,088
3,089
113
CONUS
One of the biggest issues in the Western liberalism/conservatism paradigm is that, traditionally, the left wants everyone to go to college—whether they want to or not, hyperbolically speaking—while the right only wants that opportunity for their own children, expecting everyone else to settle for much less (even if they don’t want to).

In the US, this dynamic seems to be playing out in an especially distorted way. European centrism (or more specifically, center-left and center-right) has done a bit better on this front, but it's far from ideal.
Everyone should have social mobility upward if they desire. College helps with that. I am happy to have my taxes make this happen for people who could not afford it via grants, scholarships, and other programs. I want everyone to have that ability obviously, no matter their circumstances. If we just let the children of the rich be the only ones who get education, that's a massive regression. This is one of the reason I appreciate, and I myself build, affordable watch builds. Everyone should have the ability to appreciate a cool watch without paying the nose for it.
 

SOLEX

I'm Pretty Popular
Supporter
Certified
30/3/09
2,943
850
113
Read a local news article today and de minimis start now for China/ Hong Kong and will soon be implemented for USA bound goods from all other countries as per cut and paste below. It didn't say how much that would be but anything going to the states from here in new Zealand is 10% or it might be a flat fee I guess


De minimis packages from places other than mainland China and Hong Kong are poised to lose their tariff exemption too once a system to “expeditiously process and collect” the duties is in place, according to an executive order issued by Trump.

From what I understand it would be a minimal fee, $10-$20 per my dealer. China is another story, but thankfully our dealers have already been through this and know what to do between shipping from Malaysia or UK etc.
 

RasAlGhul007

The Genuine Article
26/12/18
45
22
8
One of the factories I deal with in China told me this when I asked them for a Rolex clone.

“Due to the current US customs policy, the goods may need to pay high fees upon arrival at your destination”
 

RasAlGhul007

The Genuine Article
26/12/18
45
22
8
According to ChatpGPT, I hope this helps answer all the questions.


Customs Fees Bracket for U.S. Shipments from China (As of 2025)

1. Value of Goods ≤ $800 (De Minimis Threshold)
  • Duty: $0 (usually duty-free)
  • Customs Form: None required for informal entry
  • Applicable Fees: None in most cases
  • Exceptions: Certain goods (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, some textiles) may still be subject to duties/taxes
2. Value of Goods $801 – $2,500

  • Duty: Based on Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS); varies by product (typically 0% – 37.5%)
  • Customs Form: Formal entry may be required
  • Applicable Fees:
    • Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): ~0.3464% of value (min $31.67, max $614.35)
    • Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% (if arriving by sea)

3. Value of Goods > $2,500
  • Duty: Based on HTS classification
  • Customs Form: Formal entry required; may need customs broker
  • Applicable Fees:
    • MPF & HMF as above
    • Broker Fees: If using a customs broker (optional but recommended for complex imports
4. Additional Considerations
  • Antidumping or Countervailing Duties: Applied on specific products (e.g., steel, solar panels)
  • Section 301 Tariffs: Additional tariffs on certain Chinese goods (e.g., electronics, machinery)
  • Restricted or Regulated Items: May require permits or be prohibited


CategoryDetails
Value$100
De Minimis RuleUnder $800 — qualifies for duty-free
Customs Duty$0 (since value < $800)
MPF / HMF$0 (not applicable under $800 threshold)
Additional TariffsNone for most standard watches under $800
Other NotesMay still be inspected by CBP


So based on what I am seeing if you are getting 1 or 2 reps you should be under the $800 “De Minimis Rule” and therefore not be subject to any extra fees.
 

RoXeW22

Known Member
Patron
Supporter
Certified
27/6/22
153
114
43
According to ChatpGPT, I hope this helps answer all the questions.


Customs Fees Bracket for U.S. Shipments from China (As of 2025)

1. Value of Goods ≤ $800 (De Minimis Threshold)
  • Duty: $0 (usually duty-free)
  • Customs Form: None required for informal entry
  • Applicable Fees: None in most cases
  • Exceptions: Certain goods (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, some textiles) may still be subject to duties/taxes
2. Value of Goods $801 – $2,500

  • Duty: Based on Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS); varies by product (typically 0% – 37.5%)
  • Customs Form: Formal entry may be required
  • Applicable Fees:
    • Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): ~0.3464% of value (min $31.67, max $614.35)
    • Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% (if arriving by sea)

3. Value of Goods > $2,500
  • Duty: Based on HTS classification
  • Customs Form: Formal entry required; may need customs broker
  • Applicable Fees:
    • MPF & HMF as above
    • Broker Fees: If using a customs broker (optional but recommended for complex imports
4. Additional Considerations
  • Antidumping or Countervailing Duties: Applied on specific products (e.g., steel, solar panels)
  • Section 301 Tariffs: Additional tariffs on certain Chinese goods (e.g., electronics, machinery)
  • Restricted or Regulated Items: May require permits or be prohibited


CategoryDetails
Value$100
De Minimis RuleUnder $800 — qualifies for duty-free
Customs Duty$0 (since value < $800)
MPF / HMF$0 (not applicable under $800 threshold)
Additional TariffsNone for most standard watches under $800
Other NotesMay still be inspected by CBP


So based on what I am seeing if you are getting 1 or 2 reps you should be under the $800 “De Minimis Rule” and therefore not be subject to any extra fees.

Yeah what @Kenny said, and a reminder to verify what GenAi tells you.

Trump's whole tariff approach with China is completely scrapping the de minimis exemption, which now means that EVERY SINGLE SHIPMENT from China, that contains products of Chinese-origin, regardless of declared value, are now hit with multiple tariffs, totaling somewhere of like 120%-150% and there's a minimum tariff amount on these things too (A duty rate of 90% or $75 per item -- which will go up to $150 starting in June)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Art Vandelay

Kenny

Do not accept unsolicited offers
16/4/24
3
2
3
The two new duty rates are now: 120% of the value of the postal item or $100 per postal item. On June 1 the rate increases to $200 per postal iteim. If the TD declares a low value the 120% might be cheaper than the $100 per postal item. How are the carriers going to decide which to impose? At any rate, I am not going to buy anything until I get a more definitive answer. I usually buy one watch at a time in case something goes wrong, I won't loose as much. If I buy two watches at a time it will cost $100 which is only $50 per watch. https://www.internationaltradeinsig...ty-rates-for-de-minimis-shipments-from-china/
 

Kenny

Do not accept unsolicited offers
16/4/24
3
2
3
The two new duty rates are now: 120% of the value of the postal item or $100 per postal item. On June 1 the rate increases to $200 per postal item. If the TD declares a low value the 120% might be cheaper than the $100 per postal item. How are the carriers going to decide which to impose? At any rate, I am not going to buy anything until I get a more definitive answer. I usually buy one watch at a time in case something goes wrong, I won't lose as much. If I buy two watches at a time it will cost $100 which is only $50 per watch. https://www.internationaltradeinsig...ty-rates-for-de-minimis-shipments-from-china/