Tariffs and duties to the U.S.A

Last updated – 1st September 2025

What are the new U.S. import tariffs and when do they start?

Beginning April 5, 2025, the United States imposed a 10% tariff on all goods imported from the European Union (EU). This includes our British-made lights.

On July 27, the U.S. and the UK reached a framework agreement whereby this tariff would increase to 10% across the board. The effective date for this rate increase is August 29, 2025.

Tariffs are paid by the importer of the goods.

How are these tariffs applied alongside existing import duties and taxes?

Both the new tariffs and regular customs duties are calculated separately using the product’s original customs value and classification. Once these are added, any applicable taxes (depending on state) are then applied to the full amount – including the customs value, duties, and the new tariff.

These charges are dependant on the State and items purchased. Fosbery Studio has no control or prior knowledge of the exact value of these charges and can only be applied once the goods arrive in the States, paid for by the customer. It is vital this is understood at purchase and make the payment in full to release the goods from customs. Failure to pay these charges will result in the goods being returned and a second carriage cost applied. As the majority of our items are customised and made-to-order, they will not be refunded if the order is cancelled, see our full terms and conditions.

Are there any exemptions from these new tariffs?

The existing de minimis exemption rule still applies, for now. The de minimis threshold allows orders valued at $800 or less to enter the United States without incurring any duties, taxes or tariffs. All orders exceeding $800 are subject to standard import duties and the new tariffs, regardless of the country of origin.​

The de minimis exemption will end on August 29, 2025. After this date, all orders entering the United States will be subject to import duties and tariffs, regardless of value.

Important: Checking Your Customs Charges

We expect that couriers, including UPS, may take time to fully adjust to the new import rules and tariffs. To help avoid delays or incorrect charges, here are a few steps you can take:

Note: Bulbs originating in China are not be eligible for de minimis exemption and may face full tariffs, even under $800. The current U.S. tariff rate on goods imported from China is 30%.