Recorded music formats still qualify under US de minimis exemptions.
Photo credit: Florencia Viadana on Unsplash
According to a statement from US Customs and Border Protection, vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and other physical music products will remain exempt from new United States import tariffs.
The update follows changes introduced on August 29th that removed tax exemptions for most imported goods under $800. Under the new rules, UK sellers now face a 10% import tax, while EU sellers face 15%. Increased border checks are also expected to delay shipments.
However, US Customs has confirmed that products labeled as “informational materials”—including physical music formats, books, and zines—will continue to qualify for de minimis exemptions.
Merchandise such as apparel and posters will still be taxed. And despite the exemption, physical music orders may still face delays due to stricter customs inspections.
Platforms like Bandcamp and Discogs have issued guidelines for sellers, advising them to update shipping costs, use accurate HS codes, and consider Direct Duty Paid (DDP) shipping options to avoid delivery issues. While UPS and FedEx support DDP, services like Royal Mail have yet to implement it.
More adjustments are expected as retailers and platforms adapt to the updated import rules. Learn more about the tariff changes here.
