Information Materials Exemption from new USA customs tariff?

[micks-music-and-magazine-emporium]

Just read this on the Discogs forum, which explicitly says that Vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and other recorded media should be exempt from any tariffs under US presidential executive order.

Anyone else have any confirmation or extra details about this? Would Information Materials include books / magazines too? Any extra info would be greatly appreciated

Here is the Discogs post:

The executive order going into effect on August 29, 2025, removes a long-standing “de minimis” tariff exemption for most goods valued under USD $800. However, this change does not apply to “informational materials” like music media, which are still exempt from tariffs under US law 50 USC 1702(b)(3).

On August 28, US Customs and Border Protection confirmed this exemption in its E-Commerce Frequently Asked Questions, stating that the “duty-free de minimis treatment shall remain available for goods covered under 50 U.S.C. § 1702(b) – such as certain donations and informational materials.”

[style_wise]

If I were you, I would stick to information directly from the US C&BP website. The link you gave for 50 U.S.C. § 1702(b) is for a law school. You don't want to know how attorneys would argue something is correct, you want to know what exactly the C&BP will do when your parcel reaches Customs - they are the ones who will ask your Buyer to pay tariffs.

[micks-music-and-magazine-emporium]

If you click on the Frequently Asked Questions link in my post, it takes you to the US C&BP website and here is a screenshot of what it says. I just wondered if anyone else had further confirmation, and / or more details as they seem a little vague

[micks-music-and-magazine-emporium]

Just found this myself, which seems fairly comprehensive, but as we all know, legalities are a minefield, but it would suggest that the information on Discogs is actually correct.

(b)Exceptions to grant of authority
The authority granted to the President by this section does not include the authority to regulate or prohibit, directly or indirectly—

(3)

the importation from any country, or the exportation to any country, whether commercial or otherwise, regardless of format or medium of transmission, of any information or informational materials, including but not limited to, publications, films, posters, phonograph records, photographs, microfilms, microfiche, tapes, compact disks, CD ROMs, artworks, and news wire feeds. The exports exempted from regulation or prohibition by this paragraph do not include those which are otherwise controlled for export under section 4604 [3] of this title, or under section 4605 [3] of this title to the extent that such controls promote the nonproliferation or antiterrorism policies of the United States, or with respect to which acts are prohibited by chapter 37 of title 18

[porte2425]

Have you read the news today?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy983g8jr5do

More chaos!

[style_wise]

USA law dictionary definition of 'informational materials' is:

'Materials designed with the purpose of informing the public about relevant policies, procedures, reporting pathways, resources, and prevention strategies.'

It is my personal opinion that, if you are selling CDs and vinyl on eBay and hoping to have them clear Customs tariff-free, that your Buyer may be disappointed to receive a C&BP tax bill instead.