The SteelNavy.Com Message Board: Re: OMG an article that clearly explains this!

There were those who complained about "the US expecting others to collect their taxes for them," and discussions about whose responsibility it should be to do that. There were also others who indeed complained that Trump has said the seller will pay the tariffs, which is certainly a legitimate complaint. My VAT discussion is limited to illustrating that it is hypocritical to be angry at the US when the EU also does it. Beyond that, I do generally agree with what you've written

What I wrote on the end of de minimis issue was: "And that was my main point at the outset. US and EU motives for changing their importation taxation rules are identical, and the methods they are moving to, or want to move to, are identical." The lists of reasons given by both parties to end their de minimis read nearly identically. The motivations for doing it are essentially the same. Both cite overwhelming volume with loose regulation and oversight which allows fraud, and prohibited, counterfeit and unsafe goods. Both cite unfair trade practices and competition. Both cite lost revenue. The EU cites environmental concerns. The US cites drugs. Here's the US list:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/07/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-is-protecting-the-united-states-national-security-and-economy-by-suspending-the-de-minimis-exemption-for-commercial-shipments-globally/

Compare with EU reasons:

https://european-law-firm.com/news/regulatory-evasion-in-cross-border-e-commerce-the-case-for-reforming-the-eus-de-minimis-regime/

https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/42189-eu-takes-aim-at-shein-and-temu-over-flood-of-unsafe-products

So, while you are talking Trump's tariffs in general, I am talking specifically about ending de minimis, and the reasons either given or proposed for doing it. The bulk of the firestorm on this board comes from this. It impacts e-commerce in a large way (no matter who does it.) It is, in fact, actually specifically meant to do that (no matter who does it.) Most people get their kits nowadays through e-commerce. US folks are upset that the costs are up. Whatever the tariff rate, those costs still go up, Trump tariffs or other prior existing ones. The same thing will happen to the EU modeling community should their de minimis go away.

So, "bitching about tariffs" is one subject. Bitching about de minimis ending--while they are related--is still another subject. Those complaining that Trump has done something horrible by ending de minimis need to be aware that A) Congress has now done away with it, and B) the EU looks to be in a good position to soon follow, and the reasons for it are pretty much the same for both. That perspective should be kept in mind in future discussions. Otherwise, I will be laughing in amusement over the hypocricy.

Previous Message

Ok.

I think that the idea that the VAT (and maybe tariffs) are collected at the seller is good. It does it make it easy for the customer and the total cost is transparent from the beginning. It is the way I am used to it. In Germany, all prices are shown with all tax etc. It is forbidden to present prices without tax. I.e. for me it will be then this way everywhere, when I buy online.

I have not noticed that some people had complained about that. I noticed that people complained about the Trump's claim that the seller would pay for the tariffs, which is simply not true.

And there is in the US apparently a lot of chaos. Rules are introduced without any tools to implement them - and the rules themselves are constantly in change. And imports of small articles in the US appear to be very expensive because of the very high handling fees.

All the reports for 2028 state that the EU's goal is to make IOSS easier to use. I have no idea if that will work, or if using platforms such as eBay and Amazon will remain easier to use. If IOSS remains complicated and expensive for small businesses, that would certainly be problematic (because that would strengthen the large platforms). However, IOSS makes it possible to pay tax (and potentially customs duties in the future) without incurring any handling fees. This would make it easier and cheaper for customers.

IOSS is a way to make easier for customers without changing the basic rules.

Trump claims that he want to bring production back to the US, he propagates protectionism, he want to change the international trade networks. I do not see any similarity in the goals or the approach.