And here I was thinking I was safe because I use Ernie Ball strings
I'm going to head over to Sweetwater.com right now and
Last edited:
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Newtone Strings no longer shipping to US
- Thread starter viobass
- Start date
I'm going to head over to Sweetwater.com right now and
Yeah, it’s a bummer. Just not profitable enough, apparently. Seems like a self-inflicted wound, though, since they charged the same for a “standard” set as a custom set. I’d certainly have paid an upcharge of a few bucks for a custom set.
A bit of clarification on my earlier post (#5). Excuse my mistakes, this whole enchilada is new to all of us.
There are two distinctions.
-Between US individual and overseas business. If we order from an overseas business, then all parcels, no matter the value (even below $100) will be charged customs. I misunderstood the $100 limit in post #5 (I mixed it up with the next item...).
-Between US individual and overseas individual (family, friend, etc.). No customs charges on letters or gifts valued below $100. A personal gift from overseas that's valued over $100 will get charged.
For the next 6 months, flat rates are between $80 to $200 per parcel. After 6 months, it changes to a percentage between 10% to 50% of declared value.
Found an article on how to deal with this, what to look for before ordering, how to limit the charges, other good to know info. Not political.:
apnews.com
Excerpt:
Who Covers the Duty
Shoppers may or may not have to pay the charges to get their orders through customs and released for delivery once they are in the U.S. At checkout or in the item description, look for the terms “delivered duty paid” or “delivered duty unpaid.” The former means the vendor plans to pay the import tax and handle any related paperwork, though some may increase customer prices to recover the costs. If a website says the duty is unpaid, also known as “delivered at place,” paying it will fall to the buyer.
Just wanted to pass this along.
There are two distinctions.
-Between US individual and overseas business. If we order from an overseas business, then all parcels, no matter the value (even below $100) will be charged customs. I misunderstood the $100 limit in post #5 (I mixed it up with the next item...).
-Between US individual and overseas individual (family, friend, etc.). No customs charges on letters or gifts valued below $100. A personal gift from overseas that's valued over $100 will get charged.
For the next 6 months, flat rates are between $80 to $200 per parcel. After 6 months, it changes to a percentage between 10% to 50% of declared value.
Found an article on how to deal with this, what to look for before ordering, how to limit the charges, other good to know info. Not political.:
What shoppers can do to limit charges once the US ends a tariff exemption for goods under $800
U.S. shoppers have enjoyed cheap, duty-free international packages from overseas retailers, but that's changing.
apnews.com
Excerpt:
Who Covers the Duty
Shoppers may or may not have to pay the charges to get their orders through customs and released for delivery once they are in the U.S. At checkout or in the item description, look for the terms “delivered duty paid” or “delivered duty unpaid.” The former means the vendor plans to pay the import tax and handle any related paperwork, though some may increase customer prices to recover the costs. If a website says the duty is unpaid, also known as “delivered at place,” paying it will fall to the buyer.
Just wanted to pass this along.
Exploring alternatives I contacted Curt Mangan but he seems to have some issues with his offerings on his website. We're still talking.
I had an old set of Payson strings I never used laying around and decided to finally give them a try. I was very pleasantly surprised. I'm probably going to stay with these.
Thanks all.
I had an old set of Payson strings I never used laying around and decided to finally give them a try. I was very pleasantly surprised. I'm probably going to stay with these.
Thanks all.
A bit of clarification on my earlier post (#5). Excuse my mistakes, this whole enchilada is new to all of us.
There are two distinctions.
-Between US individual and overseas business. If we order from an overseas business, then all parcels, no matter the value (even below $100) will be charged customs. I misunderstood the $100 limit in post #5 (I mixed it up with the next item...).
-Between US individual and overseas individual (family, friend, etc.). No customs charges on letters or gifts valued below $100. A personal gift from overseas that's valued over $100 will get charged.
For the next 6 months, flat rates are between $80 to $200 per parcel. After 6 months, it changes to a percentage between 10% to 50% of declared value.
Found an article on how to deal with this, what to look for before ordering, how to limit the charges, other good to know info. Not political.:
What shoppers can do to limit charges once the US ends a tariff exemption for goods under $800
U.S. shoppers have enjoyed cheap, duty-free international packages from overseas retailers, but that's changing.
Excerpt:
Who Covers the Duty
Shoppers may or may not have to pay the charges to get their orders through customs and released for delivery once they are in the U.S. At checkout or in the item description, look for the terms “delivered duty paid” or “delivered duty unpaid.” The former means the vendor plans to pay the import tax and handle any related paperwork, though some may increase customer prices to recover the costs. If a website says the duty is unpaid, also known as “delivered at place,” paying it will fall to the buyer.
Just wanted to pass this along.
Good info. Though for many, for the moment, shipping any packages to the US is not allowed other than via more expensive courier options (which makes me wonder if shipping costs will be included in taxed fees once it goes to 10-50% - this is how it is done with items coming into the EU, we pay VAT, etc on the total purchase cost including postage, insurance, etc). From a friend who makes double bass parts in Germany:
"The $80 minimum duty is one thing, but right now even if a US customer is willing to pay it, I can't ship. This will affect so many small businesses, but luthiery in particular. Besides my stuff, many luthier tools are made in Germany and a lot of ebony fingerboards are fashioned here. Tonewoods come from eastern Europe. On and on. Myself and my fellow manufacturers here in Germany sell globally, so we won't get hit too hard.
From DHL:
Temporary suspension of postal merchandise shipping to the US
Post & DHL Business Customer Portal
on 22.08.2025
Important information for shipping goods to the USA: Temporary suspension of goods shipments with postal products to the USA (DHL Paket International and Warenpost International) at the end of August 25, 2025 - shipping is still possible with DHL Express
Dear customers and business partners,
on July 30, 2025, the USA published the Executive Order "Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment For All Countries". According to this decree, all shipments of goods by business customers arriving in the USA after August 29, 2025, 00:01 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) will be subject to import duties. Since the announcement, we have been working at full speed to clarify open questions and develop viable solutions for the new processes required by the U.S. authorities for postal dispatch.
In addition to the elimination of the previously existing duty-free limit of USD 800, this Executive Order also brings with it numerous procedural changes and provisions for the shipment of goods by post. These changes affect all postal companies worldwide that transfer items to the United States Postal Service (USPS) via postal processes. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and USPS are still working out the exact processes and regulations on how postal shipments can be handled in the future. Although some further details were published by the US authorities on August 15, key issues are still unresolved, in particular how and from whom customs duties are to be collected in future and how data is to be transmitted to the US customs authorities. We aim to implement these provisions as soon as they are available in detail, so that we can offer DHL Paket International und Warenpost International services to the USA again.
Until new processes are set up, we are unfortunately forced to temporarily suspend the shipment of goods-carrying shipments to the USA and the US customs territory of Puerto Rico as of August 25, 2025.
A submission via the previous processes can be made until August 25, 2025. Shipments that are handed over to us after August 26 must be returned to you. We ask you to adapt your order and shipping processes accordingly. The sending of documents in letters is not affected by this measure.
Many postal and parcel service providers in Europe (e.g. Post Nord in Sweden and Denmark, BPost in Belgium, ÖPAG in Austria) are taking similar steps. The association of European postal service providers - PostEurop - has also already communicated that its member companies, in agreement with the relevant national authorities, will have to temporarily restrict or suspend the shipment of goods to the USA via the postal networks."
