Impacts of new announced USA tariffs on our favorite shave stuff?

[sidpost]

Yes, I realize the amount of steel or aluminum in a razor or pack of blades is pretty low.

The tariffs though seem to be pretty universal, 20% for the EU I am assuming due to VAT. China is I think 34% now with the UK at 10%. Japan Feathers are I think a 20% tariff item now as well.

Then there is the issue of someone like myself buying directly out of Europe versus from a USA based retailer.

I'm not interested in the politics of all this as it is "done" at this point and there is nothing we can do to "undo" it. I am curious what this means for the future of our hobby.

Will razors like Lamba and other EU premium options be adversely affected or, will their customer base just bite the bullet and continue buying at the normal rate? What will this mean to domestic USA artisan shave creme and soap producers versus their European counterparts?

I know my most recent Russian razor blades came from Jordan so, perhaps company's will find "loopholes". Will the Razorocks and similar razors made in China move to domestic USA machining? Or, does this create an opportunity for a USA based machinist to open up a business like Lambda Razors did?

Best Regards,
Sid

p.s. Again, I'm not looking at the politics since this is a "done" deal at this point. What I am curious about is what that means to me and people like myself who buy stuff directly out of China, the EU, and sometimes places like Jordan.

 

[Fordfather]

I am curious what this means for the future of our hobby.

Will razors like Lamba and other EU premium options be adversely affected or, will their customer base just bite the bullet and continue buying at the normal rate? What will this mean to domestic USA artisan shave creme and soap producers versus their European counterparts?

Will the Razorocks and similar razors made in China move to domestic USA machining? Or, does this create an opportunity for a USA based machinist to open up a business like Lambda Razors did?

Best Regards,
Sid

p.s. Again, I'm not looking at the politics since this is a "done" deal at this point. What I am curious about is what that means to me and people like myself who buy stuff directly out of China, the EU, and sometimes places like Jordan.

#1. No one can accurately predict what is going to happen.

#2. A US machinist could have opened up a business 2 years ago, but didn't. The price of Chinese goods will still be cheaper than $350 domestic made razors.

#3. Don't ask questions that can't be answered definitively. It will just drive you bonkers.

 

[spacemonkey42]

My answer is not on the poll. Tariffs are a tax on the consumer - me. I'll now need to re-evaluate if I will buy things, item by item. The total cost is what matters in the end. The more prices go up, the less likely I'll buy.

I have enough shaving equipment to last me until (hopefully) better economic decisions, but this will effect everything. I'm worried about costs of food and necessities. I hope my car can make it long enough that I don't get slammed with huge additional costs.

 

[DesertIguana]

Consumers can import item less in value less than 799.00 USD.

Per US Customs Service.

 

[NorthwestCorner]

Don’t care. These are luxury items. I buy European products anyway because I like them better. That won’t change.

I voted “waiting for presidential change” though because the first part was close enough.

 

[Darth Scandalous]

Consumers can import item less in value less than 799.00 USD.

Per US Customs Service.

According to the AP's reporting, that is going away.

Trump removed the tariff exemptions on imports from China worth $800 or less. He plans to remove the exemptions other nations have on imports worth $800 or less once the federal government certifies that is has the staffing and resources in place.

Link: Trump announces sweeping new tariffs to promote US manufacturing, risking inflation and trade wars - https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933

 

[Kbbond]

 

[AshleyC]

Voted no impact. I really, really, REALLY don't need anymore razors from China or anywhere else. I've covered just about every possible angle.

Unless they contrive to make a Futur clone out of stainless or titanium.

There's no serious expectation I could ignore that.

 

[DesertIguana]

Well I am good on Shave Stuff for long time.

Might be good time for folks in parts of USA, with Cold Winters to start a Badger Ranch.

 

[AshleyC]

Well I am good on Shave Stuff for long time.

Might be good time for folks in parts of USA, with Cold Winters to start a Badger Ranch.

We can always improvise with small paintbrushes from Lowes. Think about all the "If you could only have one paintbrush" threads that will cause.

[Admit it. Now you're curious about that.]

 

[nervosa1901]

I did a lot of bulk buying from my favorite soap makers in France in the last few months in anticipation of this, but I will say, when I run out, if this nonsense is still in place it will not impact additional purchases. No one is going to FORCE me to "choose American" by taxing what I prefer.

 

[Tomo]

I expect this move will lead to general inflation in the local market. With reduced competition local manufactures will be able to charge more for their products even if their cost of production is not affected. If wages do not go up to match the price increases demand will likely go down for nonessential shaving items. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[NorthernSoul]

The tariffs though seem to be pretty universal, 20% for the EU I am assuming due to VAT...

I believe VAT is only changed for residents of the EU, UK, and so on. It should not be reciprocal. I know I have not had to pay VAT when ordering from the UK or Spain.

This is a tax increase. Worse, it is a regressive tax increase that affects lower income people more than wealthier people. The justification for it is unclear, vague and changes like the weather. IMHO, we will have a lot bigger problems from this new tax than what we spend on shaving stuff.

I'm well-stocked now, so shouldn't really need to buy much of anything for a few years.

 

[purecro]

What I really wonder is how quickly here in the USA this will be effective for smaller items under $800. It will make me think twice about some luxury purchases I had in mind, one that was a meh and another that was more like "Yea is what I would like to get" but again, still might, not sure yet.

I didn't buy more soaps a few days ago from overseas but don't really need it, just more of buying stuff but stopped myself. I, like many others, am quite well stocked with all items so it will be a matter of "Am I willing to spend more on the stuff on want?" and "Do I really need to?" just the thought process. Also, when and how quickly this will take place on the under $800 items really in my case from the EU, Canada if and when its actually in place so we shall see as things go along.

 

[BigJ]

Current turmoil gives me a good excuse to use up some of my current kit while I wait for things to settle down!

 

[JoWolf]

I voted no impact. My last two purchases of Saponificio Varesino products I ordered from Italy. I had stopped purchasing from Canadian outlets & USA outlets most often they didn’t stock the selection I required. Canadian & USA are also more expensive compared to Italian pricing. My last blade purchase was 200 Feathers. Four blades a month will last me a couple years. Purchased on Amazon.ca. Many of us have elevated our shaving to hobby status. So when push comes to shove we want what we want irregardless of price or country of origin. As a Canadian I’m not concerned with the tariffs. They are a destructive tax mechanism that harms all countries involved. I believe what my Prime Minister has stated. All trade globally will change. And that may actually be better for many countries. Time will tell.

 

[blade08]

I think the current US administration understands fully well what the impact will be on the US economy once China and the EU start imposing their own tariffs on the US.

In other words, I think this is mostly bullying by the US President and we will see a U-turn in the near future.

 

[lctrcbddha]

Unless and until de minimis is eliminated, it will have the perverse effect of making it less expensive to order from overseas than to buy the same product from a domestic distributor.

 

[lakeman77]

The more important part will be processing delays at customs and post office. HUGE increase in workload for those folks if they apply the tariff/tax to small goods. The $$ increase to us consumers will be the cost of food at McDonald's, not a killer. I have items coming from Croatia and Germany. This will be interesting.

 

[cranewarrior]

I don't care that much, because there is not a system in place to collect de minimis taxes, and I don't see foreign sellers bending over backwards to implement something quickly.

We'll see how it shakes out. In the meantime, I have plenty of gear purchased already.