FAQ - Tariffs

FAQ: Recent Changes to US Import Policies and How They Affect Your Orders

Bottom Line Up Front:

Tier One is still shipping to the USA as normal, but now US Customs will charge 12.5% tariff on Bipods, and 26% tariff on Scope Mounts. 

These will be charged to you on arrival and paid direct to Customs & Border Patrol. 

We're not aware of any other charges. 

We're working to implement what's called a 'Delivery Duties Paid' system - where you can pay the duties at checkout and receive your items without having to wait. 

In the meantime if you don't want to pay the tariff please shop with our valued partners, Midway USA and OpticsPlanet. 

Email us at Support@tier-one-usa.com for more info.

 

The Long Version:

As of August 29, 2025, the United States has ended its de minimis exemption for imports, which previously allowed low-value shipments (under $800) to enter the country with minimal customs scrutiny and no duties. This change impacts all international shipments, including those from the UK to US customers. Below, we've answered common questions to help you understand how this may affect your purchases from us. We're committed to transparency and are working to minimize disruptions for our customers.

1. What is the de minimis threshold, and why has it changed?
The de minimis threshold was a US policy that exempted shipments valued at $800 or less from tariffs, duties, and formal customs processes. This has now been eliminated for all imports, meaning every shipment - regardless of value - must go through full customs clearance. The change aims to address concerns over unfair trade practices, counterfeit goods, and revenue loss, but it also results in additional costs and potential delays for our customers.

2. How does this change affect my order from your UK-based company?
If you're a US customer placing an order with us, your shipment will now be subject to US customs duties and fees on arrival. This applies to all products we ship directly to you. Previously, small orders mostly avoided these charges, but now you may need to pay tariffs, or import fees, and handling charges before receiving your package. Handling times may change; For lower-value shipments (this includes everything that we would ship to you, formerly called de minimis), the process shifts to informal entry (Entry Type 11) which is still a more rigorous import process than de minimis, though less so than full Formal Entry (Entry Type 01). This could add a few days to delivery times.

We're monitoring the situation closely and may adjust our shipping methods, such as using bulk consignments or US-based fulfilment in the future, to reduce impacts.

3. Will I have to pay additional tariffs or duties on my purchase?
Yes, for most orders, you will be responsible for paying US import tariffs and any associated customs fees (See below for the current expected rates). These are collected by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or your shipping carrier upon import. We do not collect these upfront, but they will be charged to you before delivery. To help, we'll provide detailed invoices and HS codes (Harmonized System codes) with your shipment to facilitate accurate assessment.

4. How are tariffs calculated and charged?
Tariffs are calculated as a percentage of the declared value of your goods (typically the purchase price, excluding shipping costs). The exact rate depends on the product's classification under US tariff schedules. Based on our expectations and current US trade policies:

- Bipods: Subject to a 12.5% tariff rate.
- Scope mounts: Subject to a 26% tariff rate.

For example:
- If you buy a bipod valued at $490, the tariff would be approximately $61.25 (12.5% of $490).
- If you buy a scope mount valued at $390, the tariff would be approximately $101.40 (26% of $390).

Currently - these are paid directly to CBP or the carrier (e.g., via USPS, FedEx, or UPS) when the package arrives in the US. You may receive a notice to pay online or at pickup. Note: These rates are estimates based on current policies and could vary; always check with CBP for your specific shipment.

5. Does this apply to all US customers and products?
Yes, this affects all US customers receiving shipments from us in the UK. The specified tariff rates (12.5% for bipods and 26% for scope mounts) apply universally to these products under the new rules. Other products may have different rates - feel free to contact us for details on specific items. If your order includes multiple products, tariffs are applied per item category.

6. Will shipping costs or delivery times change?
Shipping costs from us remain the same. Delivery times may extend by several days, possibly weeks, due to customs backlogs. We're exploring options like Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping in the future, where we might handle duties upfront (potentially at an added cost to you). In the meantime, we recommend placing orders early and tracking your shipment closely.

7. What can I do to minimize the impact?
- Check tariff estimates: Use the US International Trade Commission's HTS Search tool to confirm rates for our products. We believe the tariffs will be 12.5% for bipods and 26% for bipods.
- Combine orders: Larger shipments might spread out fixed fees more efficiently (this is not advice, and the situation is evolving rapidly).
- Consider alternatives: We supply our products to Midway USA and OpticsPlanet; both are wonderful retailers with great customer support and we're sure you'll have a great experience shopping with them. We're always seeking other high quality retailers so feel free to suggest your favourite gun shop to us and we'll reach out.
- Contact us: If you have questions about your order, email support@tier-one-usa.com  

8. Will prices on your website change because of this?
We may need to adjust our pricing or shipping options to reflect these changes, but that hasn't happened yet. For now, our listed prices do not include US tariffs or duties - these are separate charges handled at import.

If you have additional questions not covered here, please reach out to our customer service team. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these changes together and value your continued support.