eBay applying tariffs to physical music format GSP sales despite being exempt?

[jjambadger27]

Has anyone selling to the US via the Global Shipping Programme had tariffs applied for vinyl/CDs/audio bluray/tape sales by eBay? US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have confirmed that these formats are exempt from the new tariffs because they are classified as “information materials” exempt from trade restrictions so they shouldn't be doing it. 

[jjambadger27]

dave@ebay  marco@ebay kat@ebay Do you have an update about this? US Customs and Border Protection very recently updated their FAQ regarding information materials and to confirm the exemption 

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/e-commerce/faqs

[style_wise]

In the USA the legal definition of 'informational materials' is very specific:

... designed with the purpose of informing the public about relevant policies, procedures, reporting pathways, resources, and prevention strategies. These materials may include, but are not limited to, websites, brochures, handouts, posters, and flyers.

So discs and vinyl will normally not be exempt from tariffs. You and your Buyer can have a go, but be prepared for CBP to treat them as normal imports.

[jjambadger27]

Yet it states on https://hts.usitc.gov/ that information materials include "publications, films, posters, phonograph records, photographs, microfilms, microfiche, tapes, compact disks, CD ROMs, artworks, and news wire feeds".

[*vyolla*]

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@style_wise wrote:

So discs and vinyl will normally not be exempt from tariffs. You and your Buyer can have a go, but be prepared for CBP to treat them as normal imports.

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They are. Every music industry trade publication has confirmed it and, as I mentioned in another thread, if you take a music cassette to a Post Office to send out it comes through as zero tariff when details are input.