37.5% duty charged on Ascilab speakers shipped to US [Resolved]

[chelgrian]

Why not?

In order to report bad debt to a credit reference agency you have to be a registered data furnisher in general that means being a large well established business but the exact criteria are not published.

It is very likely fedex, DHL etc are registered and will report bad debt.

 

[Groove01]

For those who offer "just buy American" so tarriffs won't be an issue. You must live under a rock. Seriously.

All you have to do is as easy as typing few words to ask ChatGPT to explain the global supply chain to you. Try it, maybe you will get some worldly knowledge and get some sunlight from coming out of the bottom of your rock.

And there is no way in hell will I buy American just because it's American, it must be an excellent product first and foremost, like Ascend Acoustics and Philharmonics Audio, which btw imports the vast majority of their parts from tariff burden countries.

I think people are generally very aware of this and you’re being a little pedantic about the wording TBH.

 

[a4eaudio]

... Imported products are only about 10% of the US economy.

Imports of goods are 14% of GDP in the US which is among the lowest in the world. The US is a relatively closed economy compared to most developed countries. This is the reason that the tariffs are not quite as harmful as some media accounts may suggest.

...If you disagree give me one historical example of any kind of tax being inflationary.

Q2 2025. Do some research the data is easy to find.

Maybe this argument would work if there were a tax on every single good and service in the economy but the tariffs only are on tax on about 10% of all goods and services. They will not and can not increase overall price levels which is the definition of inflation.

If prices on 14% of goods increases then the average price level will go up. I hope to see that inflation, because of we don't see it that is a good indicator that we are entering a recession (a decrease in aggregate demand shifting demand to the left).

I was talking about fiscal deficits. The policies put in place are to reduce immigration, reduce income taxes, increase investment incentives, and increase consumption taxes (Tariffs) to help offset some of the other tax cuts.

I've seen no logical arguments from the administration that any of these are the real reason for the tariffs. I have heard the gaslighting about these things though.

... I have a hard time understanding why shifting some of the revenue from income taxes to consumption tariff taxes is creating such emotional reactions from people.

Because they are highly inefficient, ineffective and inequitable.

 

[Timcognito]

Imports of goods are 14% of GDP in the US which is among the lowest in the world. The US is a relatively closed economy compared to most developed countries. This is the reason that the tariffs are not quite as harmful as some media accounts may suggest.

This true but GDP is an economic not physical measure. Clothing, consumer electronics, toys, winter fruits and vegetables, and many other things are imported to the US, not supplied from the US and lower income people rely on there availability at affordable prices. The issue is availability and affordability.

 

[PristineSound]

I think people are generally very aware of this and you’re being a little pedantic about the wording TBH.

Yeah, ok sure. Go read the posts even with context.

As George Carlin said: "Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that."

As an American l, I can tell you to never, ever underestimate how dumb and ignorant some Americans can be.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

It's weird to see people post completely inaccurate statements in a day and age when facts are easily at your fingertips.

It is (and has been before recent tariff BS) normal for FedEx and UPS to release shipments to the end customer and then send them a bill for any and all customs charges. It just comes as a shock to US consumers as it was almost never something we had to deal with but it is not new nor is it a scam/money grab/bad faith practice. DHL will let you know a payment is due before delivery, but it is the same customs cost UPS and FedEx would be billing after delivery.

The country of origin/manufacturer DOES NOT pay the tariff cost, no matter what selective news sources may say. Either the company you are purchasing the product from is nice enough to eat the tariff cost or, as is becoming more common due to the increased tariff percentages, the company passes the increased cost on to the consumer partially or fully.

Most companies have been eating a good portion of the tariffs since April but this will no longer last now that tariffs are supposedly set in stone (pending any mood swings from a certain someone). But we will most likely see, unfortunately, these companies will eat less and less of the cost as their current lower tariff inventory gets used up.

Lastly, suggesting tax cuts that disproportionately favor the more well off will somehow offset the likely price increases tariffs will bring to the majority of Americans is just plain ignorant.

 

[Groove01]

Well, they're still good, right? Where the parts come from shouldn't have any effect there.

If I remember right, a few years ago somebody noticed that their backplates said "Made in the USA," when in fact it should have said "Assembled in the USA." Somebody called out Aerial on this discrepancy, and Aerial had to come clean that, yes, their speakers are assembled in the USA with parts (including cabinets) made overseas. I think their backplates now say "Assembled in the USA." I'm not 100% sure of any of this, but I've read about it on at least a couple of other audio-related websites.

Thier cabinets have always been made overseas. They were made in Denmark until the cabinet maker went out of business. They switched to China after that.

Their drivers are all seas or scanpeak - so wherever they are currently produced. Was not aware their crossover production was outsourced. I can’t speak to that, but would be new to me.

Agree They are still very good and incredibly well built speakers. Built like a brick house.

 

[Luvchampagne]

Imports of goods are 14% of GDP in the US which is among the lowest in the world. The US is a relatively closed economy compared to most developed countries. This is the reason that the tariffs are not quite as harmful as some media accounts may suggest.

Are you sure? Does that take into account the foreign components in the 86% of GDP that is not imported? I don't think so.

According to a January 17, 2025 report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, economists estimate that in 2023, 52% of the value in gross domestic purchases reflected domestic content—meaning 48% of what Americans purchased (across consumers, businesses, and government) was attributable to foreign content, either in finished goods or inputs .

In other words, about 48% of consumer-related purchases in the U.S. are manufactured abroad.

 

[Groove01]

Yeah, ok sure. Go read the posts even with context.

As George Carlin said: "Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that."

As an American l, I can tell you to never, ever underestimate how dumb and ignorant some Americans can be.

As an American with a degree in economics, you can never underestimate how many “enlightened” people think they understand economics (or how many objectivist quickly become subjectivist as soon as the topic comes up).

The American “problem” you referenced is one of entitlement, where everyone feels entitled to a sense of righteous indignation for their opinions at the expense of logic and reason.

If everyone is indignant in their “right’ness” how can anyone possibly be wrong?

 

[Luvchampagne]

It's weird to see people post completely inaccurate statements in a day and age when facts are easily at your fingertips.

It is (and has been before recent tariff BS) normal for FedEx and UPS to release shipments to the end customer and then send them a bill for any and all customs charges. It just comes as a shock to US consumers as it was almost never something we had to deal with but it is not new nor is it a scam/money grab/bad faith practice. DHL will let you know a payment is due before delivery, but it is the same customs cost UPS and FedEx would be billing after delivery.

I agree. It is quite simple but ignorant /naive people are missing the obvious.
Who is the importer when a consumer buys something from a seller/manufacturer overseas?

CONSUMER = IMPORTER

Who is ALWAYS responsible for paying the tariff on IMPORTED goods?

IMPORTER which is the CONSUMER IN this use case.

Why did Trump get all twisted when Amazon started listing the price and the tariff separately? Trump forced Amazon to immediately cease doing it.

Because the Consumer would see the transparent impact of Trump's glorious tariffs.

The country of origin/manufacturer DOES NOT pay the tariff cost, no matter what selective news sources may say. Either the company you are purchasing the product from is nice enough to eat the tariff cost or, as is becoming more common due to the increased tariff percentages, the company passes the increased cost on to the consumer partially or fully.

Most companies have been eating a good portion of the tariffs since April but this will no longer last now that tariffs are supposedly set in stone (pending any mood swings from a certain someone). But we will most likely see, unfortunately, these companies will eat less and less of the cost as their current lower tariff inventory gets used up.

Lastly, suggesting tax cuts that disproportionately favor the more well off will somehow offset the likely price increases tariffs will bring to the majority of Americans is just plain ignorant.

 

[levimax]

Lastly, suggesting tax cuts that disproportionately favor the more well off will somehow offset the likely price increases tariffs will bring to the majority of Americans is just plain ignorant.

Before calling people names please site some verifiable economic calculations to back up your assertions. For example some of the biggest new tax cuts (not the extension of the existing tax cuts) are no tax on tips and no tax on social security, both have "income caps" as well as a doubling of the "standard deduction". These are hardly tax breaks for rich people.

Edit: Also no tax on overtime and less immigration leading to higher low level worker wages and lower rent (the biggest expense for most people).

 

[Luvchampagne]

Before calling people names please site some verifiable economic calculations to back up your assertions. For example some of the biggest new tax cuts (not the extension of the existing tax cuts) are no tax on tips and no tax on social security, both have "income caps" as well as a doubling of the "standard deduction". These are hardly tax breaks for rich people.

Have you actually studied these tax cuts? The impact is incredibly minimal from a payment and revenue standpoint. They are incredibly click bait positive.

Your previous posts on the effects of the proposed tax cuts on the lower income classes shows your bias /ignorance on the actual impact and tax revenue differences. To seriously talk about the positive impacts of the lower income and social security tax reductions is quite the Marie Antoinette syndrome.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Before calling people names please site some verifiable economic calculations to back up your assertions. For example some of the biggest new tax cuts (not the extension of the existing tax cuts) are no tax on tips and no tax on social security, both have "income caps" as well as a doubling of the "standard deduction". These are hardly tax breaks for rich people.

Well, it isn't tax-free tips. It is a tax deduction at the end of the year when you file your taxes. And A LOT of people who have jobs that rely on tips for income live day to day, so an end of the year deduction doesn't help them if they may owe even $50 more a week in groceries or increased costs.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Have you actually studied these tax cuts? The impact is incredibly minimal from a payment and revenue standpoint. They are incredibly click bait positive.

This.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

less immigration leading to higher low level worker wages and lower rent (the biggest expense for most people).

Ahh, just saw this edit.

Will not be responding to you anymore. I'm way to busy to deal with ignorant people.

 

[Luvchampagne]

Edit: Also no tax on overtime and less immigration leading to higher low level worker wages and lower rent (the biggest expense for most people).

Do you actually believe this? Or rather, have you thought this through?
Thankfully there is the IGNORE option.

 

[bigguyca]

Not true. More than half of the so called "tax cuts" are continuation of existing tax cuts that were due to expire end of this year. What remains is about $1.7 trillion dollars which is much less than $2.6 trillion dollars we will be paying for tariffs over the next 10 years. Worse yet, tariffs are inflationary, coming on the heals of higher prices on goods, creating a dangerous situation for the economy.

Based on Internet searches: Imports of goods to the U.S. in 2024 of $3.4 trillion ($4.1 trillion with services) make up a small portion of the United States GDP of $30 trillion. Using the current $30 trillion GDP, the $2.6 trillion number that you supplied as the total of value tariffs over 10-years will be a very small portion of the total $300 trillion GDP over 10-years.

You should understand that all countries have tariffs and often more importantly, rules which limit or prohibit imports of selected goods. For example, without EU and local European country rules, the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine without the war, would drive a huge number of European farmers out of business. Most rice farmers in Japan would be gone without limits on imports from countries with more efficient agriculture.

Rules on the import of Russian pipeline natural gas are driving many industries in the EU out of business or to relocate to the U.S. and have raised electricity prices for EU countries and the UK to exorbitant levels. German has been in recession for two years due to increased energy costs and soon will be a very different country economically.

In 2008 the GDP of the EU and the U.S. were about equal, now the U.S. is far ahead. This is due to several effects including the U.K. fleeing from the EU. The differences in GDP between the two regions continues to grow. The EU emphasis on green energy and restrictive trade practices will soon make it backwater compared to China and the U.S. with other countries such as India gaining ground.

Imports make up a lower percentage GDP in the U.S. than in other major countries:

U.S. - 12%

China - 14%

U.K. - 23%

Japan - 18%

EU - 35%

The large differences in wealth in the U.S. between the top 20% and the bottom 80% are mostly due to actions by the U.S. Federal Reserve during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID disaster. Interest rates that were too low for too long. The biggest banks received the usual FED put including large injections of capital. All of this,increased the value of capital and made those with capital, such the average baby boomers like me, disproportionally better off, and the very wealth grew to ridiculously wealthy.

30-years ago I paid for my kids college (much cheaper then) and later gave one of them the 20% down payment for a house in what as then a low cost area The other son didn't need the help. Without college debt and with a very low mortgage interest rate that was refinanced during COVID the two of them have different financial situations from other non-baby boomers.

Easy credit over the period converted the "company store" mentioned in the old song, to credit card and especially educational loans at high rates. The concept that any college degree is worth big money, which it isn't and doesn't even guarantee a job, was a contributing factor.

Within the past month a shared a pizza at Costco, I have the diet of a 12-year old boy, with a guy who had recently graduated from college. He went to Berkeley which is a good school and incurred some debt. He majored in anthropology and surprise, can't find a job.

There was a receptionist where a friend of mine worked. The receptionist is very hardworking with two jobs and is a really nice person. In the past she was somehow, unfortunately, admitted o a state college where she inevitably failed after a year with a $25k college loan, which will take many years to payoff.

There are likely millions of young people with similar stories. There also seem to be a huge number of people in their 40's and 50's with college loans that they have trouble paying. The total of college loans keeps growing so obviously people of all ages continue to be drawn to the mirage of easy money in their pocket today, and the college rainbow with the pot of gold in the distance.

Tariffs are a minor financial issue compared to the problems outlined above, and those barely lurking ahead such a the AI and housing bubbles.

 

[PristineSound]

As an American with a degree in economics, you can never underestimate how many “enlightened” people think they understand economics (or how many objectivist quickly become subjectivist as soon as the topic comes up).

The American “problem” you referenced is one of entitlement, where everyone feels entitled to a sense of righteous indignation for their opinions at the expense of logic and reason.

If everyone is indignant in their “right’ness” how can anyone possibly be wrong?

Please do share what is it that the ASR "enlightened" have wrong here and share with us what is correct.

 

[Luvchampagne]

Based on Internet searches: Imports of goods to the U.S. in 2024 of $3.4 trillion ($4.1 trillion with services) make up a small portion of the United States GDP of $30 trillion. Using the current $30 trillion GDP, the $2.6 trillion number that you supplied as the total of value tariffs over 10-years will be a very small portion of the total $300 trillion GDP over 10-years.

This is a perfect example of someone doing an internet search and thinking he has a PhD in Economics.

If you thought this through, you would immediately question this # and come to a quick conclusion that this is only for goods purchased directly from foreign companies.

I doubt this even includes finished goods purchased by a distributor/reseller like Grainger or Parts Express. This 100% does not take into account US car manufacturers who import most of the content in every vehicle. This does not take into account HP or Dell computers which are 100% foreign components and assembled.

Did you think this through?

 

[Groove01]

Please do share what is it that the ASR "enlightened" have wrong here and share with us what is correct.

lol - right on queue, predictable, and par for the course.

Ok, I’ll play along. Please do share what it is that you have that is correct. (See I can do that too )

a suggested starting point, perhaps you could offer a primer on the causes of inflation followed by possible corrective measures to contain/lower inflation and the associated impacts of those corrective measures.

No GPT allowed (that’s cheating)