Anyone have any idea how the new tariff war will affect cross border sales??

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suitman19

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I'm curious if anyone has any information on what the new tariff's between USA/Canada will affect cross border sales.

I see that PSA has already suspended shipments from Canada at the moment, but says you can still ship to their shipment facility
in Canada???
 
Here is the information COMC sent out yesterday:

COMC & COMC Consignment Corp (a.k.a. COMC Canada) are fully aware of the impact of the 25% tariffs installed by the United States on March 3, 2025, as well as the reciprocal tariffs subsequently put in place by the Government of Canada.



We care deeply about our customers, stakeholders, and employees in Canada. We are actively assessing the changing landscape and seeking possible solutions to implement. COMC's business is unique and requires proper customs rulings on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border.



For the moment, we are continuing business as usual. Canadian customers can send items for consignment to our office in Burnaby. They also can request shipments without the risk of tariffs being applied. Should anything change, we will notify you and keep apprised of development. In the meantime, please feel free to contact [email protected] if you have any additional questions.



Barry Mah

Director of Canada Operations, COMC
 
Selling from Canada into the USA shouldn't be an issue because so many cards are produced in the USA so they are simply returning. Not sure how vintage OPC that was Printed in Canada will fare.

Selling singles from the USA into Canada I think will be status quo unless Canada adds new reciprocal tariffs to the import or USA adds an export tariff.

Where the proverbial poop could hit the fan is on Upper Deck products crossing into Canada under a new tariff. That could blow up the cost of wax. I'd be very nervous as a Canadian LCS right now. Unless the fact that they produce some cards in Italy and ship direct from Italy to Canada. That could be the saving grace. I'd still be nervous though.

And then there's the cost of supplies like Ultra Pro and BCW who I think produce all their product from China. As well as the slabs that PSA/Beckett/SGC/CGC etc. get from China too (TAG slabs are manufactured in the USA). That could increase the cost of grading and supplies too.
 
I had asked an AI to break it down in the past and also today. In the past it seemed to indicate that re-imports (which would be a product that was made in the US, shipped to Canada in the past and then re-imported back to the US) has no actual bearing on whether a duty or tariff is applied. Also it doesn't appear to matter if a product is sent at no cost (a trade) vs a cost (a sale).
Today I specifically asked about the importation of trading cards, and here is what it said:

Trading cards, such as sports or collectible card game cards (e.g., Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering), are typically classified under HS code 9504.40.00 ("Playing cards") in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). This category historically carries a 0% Most-Favored Nation (MFN) duty rate under normal trade conditions with Canada due to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). However, the new 25% tariff applies on top of any existing duties unless CUSMA exemptions are upheld.

Under CUSMA, goods meeting rules of origin (i.e., produced in Canada, the U.S., or Mexico) are typically duty-free. Trading cards manufactured in Canada would qualify for this exemption under normal circumstances. However, the February 2025 executive order overrides many CUSMA provisions by applying a blanket 25% tariff to all Canadian imports, unless specific exceptions are negotiated during the 30-day pause (ending around March 4, 2025). As of March 6, without confirmation of an exemption, the tariff likely applies.
Click to expand...

Also

Imports under $800 typically qualify for the Section 321 de minimis exemption, avoiding duties and formal entry processes. However, the February 2025 executive orders suspended this for Canadian goods, meaning even small shipments of trading cards face the 25% tariff and additional paperwork.
Click to expand...
And the summary:

Yes, trading cards imported from Canada to the U.S. are subject to a 25% tariff as of March 6, 2025, under the current broad tariff policy, assuming the 30-day pause expired without an exemption. For precise confirmation, importers should check the latest HTSUS updates or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rulings, as the situation remains fluid due to ongoing trade negotiations. If the cards originate elsewhere, different tariff rates may apply (e.g., 10% from China). Always verify with CBP for the exact HS code and current tariff status.
Click to expand...

So the end result here is that the AI might be wrong. The news always seem to indicate that tariffs are applied to retail trade and not secondary market, but I feel that no one will be able to get any answer on which are exempt, if any. Because once someone were to say, trading cards under x value bought on the secondary market or shipped as part of barter is going to lead to a ton of people altering how things are declared and then make it worse for everybody.

Basically we would need an actual authority to answer these questions specifically. Otherwise we're just going to have to keep on as usual and see what happens (run a test) and thus you couldn't be mad if you get charged, or just not do international deals.
 
I have emailed fanatics as well to ask, as I have some cards in my vault that I would like to get sent home but don't want to have to pay any extra if I don't need too, will post the response when I get it from them.
 
This was a message sent out by eBay on March 4th:

Today, March 4th, 2025, the United States government implemented a 25% additional tariff on all goods produced in Canada and Mexico, effective immediately. For now, the de minimis threshold on US imports remains in place. This means new tariffs will be applied to goods produced in Canada or Mexico that are sold to buyers in the United States, valued at US$800 or more, regardless of item condition.

Of course that was like 87 news cycles ago, so who knows. This was another message from Chit Chats regarding shipments they take over the border:

Section 321 Still in Effect – for Now​

While the U.S. Administration has confirmed that tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods will be in effect as of 12:01 AM March 4, 2025, a new amendment to the original Executive Order was issued, which states that items entering the U.S. via Section 321 (de minimis program) will continue to be exempt from these tariffs–for the time being–until U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implements a system to collect duties on these shipments.


Derek
 
I'm wondering how this will affect my "Get It Shipped" items that I had planned to ship to me in Canada in April 2025. :( You need to declare a value for CBSA GST and PST taxes collection (brokered by FedEx) but will that 25% now be applied to the CAD dollar declaration?
 
BrownBullhead said:
I'm wondering how this will affect my "Get It Shipped" items that I had planned to ship to me in Canada in April 2025. :( You need to declare a value for CBSA GST and PST taxes collection (brokered by FedEx) but will that 25% now be applied to the CAD dollar declaration?
Click to expand...
I suggest you get it shipped to you now. If tariffs go through you would be responsible for paying an additional 25% as well as the usual taxes so no sense in waiting as it will likely cost significantly more.
 
EDIT: As mentioned, I was prepared to pay GST and PST on $550 CAD equivalent, so about $28 GST and $40 PST. I was charged $150 CAD in GST and SIMA. It seems like a TON of work (https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/rrd-drr-eng.html) to appeal the SIMA fee? $68 in taxes I was prepared for - $150 in actual taxes. So much jargon in the link above.
🙁



I also got dinged today on my "Get It Shipped" import batch.

Sure as shit! SIMA fee (i.e. tariff) on my $336 value USD shipment from "Get It Shipped" to Canada. The irony is 99% of it is old ITG cards "made in Canada".
🙁


I had hoped to see GST as approx. $28 CAD and 7% PST as approx. $40 CAD , based on $336 USD conv. to CAD $550.
Bit of a kick in the stones to see that $121 instead of $40. Strangely, PST is zero?

 
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This is very bad for Canadian buyers and sellers. Can’t submit, and cross border transactions now make no sense. Wax will be 25-40% higher, and most of it is already priced terribly.

Personally, going to have to pull down my eBay store and only buy from Canadian sellers.

Rough times ahead, would not want to be running a LCS, this is going to be challenging.
 

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