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Valued Member
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Just received this Email
October 24, 2025
For Immediate Release
Importation Tariff Issues Resolved
Until this year, stamps and covers could be imported into the United States under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) 9704 free of duty. However, several months ago, new country specific tariffs came into effect. This affected philatelic material, which in turn, resulted in the global philatelic community fearing that foreign participants at the upcoming Boston 2026 World Expo would experience unacceptably high costs.
After close consultation with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over the past several weeks, the Boston 2026 Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that stamps and covers are, once again, tariff free for entry into the US. Specifically, the initial ruling letter that resulted in philatelic tariffs has now been ruled void ab initio (i.e., null from the beginning) and voided. A new ruling letter holding that philatelic material covered by HTSUS 9704 is again tariff free will be issued by the CBP in the next few weeks.
To ensure the free and smooth entry of philatelic material for the show, the show organizers have hired a customs brokerage firm, Vantage Point Services. They will provide foreign parties (i.e., dealers, auction houses, postal administrations and commissioners) importing philatelic material with the appropriate instructions and documentation for entry into the US. The customs broker offers support at multiple ports of entry, including Boston, New York, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Facebook, X and Instagram. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.
Thomas M. Fortunato
Boston 2026 Public Relations Chair
U.S. East Commissioner
Tom.Fortunato@Boston2026.org
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Bedrock Of The Community
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So the sky isn't falling? Some people will be very disappointed but move on to the next windmill. |
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Moderator
United States
5097 Posts |
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Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. We may want to wait those few weeks for the ruling to be issued. I am hopeful, but I've seen things change quickly, so I'm not holding my breath on this one. |
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Valued Member
United States
352 Posts |
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Curious as to how much B26 had to do w this correction versus the California dealer who has been driving the issue. |
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Pillar Of The Community
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Valued Member
Switzerland
486 Posts |
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B26 = Boston 2026 committee I'd guess.
Also this line:
..is again tariff free will be issued by the CBP in the next few weeks.
Make that next Monday. European dealers and exhibitors are sick and tired of this back and forth for months. They are not willing to wait another several weeks/months, they want certainty NOW.
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| Edited by drkohler - 10/25/2025 07:39 am |
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Valued Member
United States
442 Posts |
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Quote:
So the sky isn't falling? Some people will be very disappointed but move on to the next windmill. Uncertainty is bad for business, with a negative impact already registered, and the threat isn't truly over until it's over, as others have noted. If they're likely going to be revoked (excellent news, of course), couldn't they have just done that from the beginning? I'm expecting too much, I know... Hats off to the lobbying team on this one. This should have a big beneficial impact, not just for the show dealers and exhibitors, but to all of us who are buying philatelic material from abroad. Wonder if the changes will register on ebay et al. |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
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The banner on ebay is to protect sellers and ebay, be it right or wrong. But remaining as it was is correct until the formal information is issued and vetted (by ebay) in Quote:
A new ruling letter holding that philatelic material covered by HTSUS 9704 is again tariff free will be issued by the CBP in the next few weeks. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
4336 Posts |
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Bedrock Of The Community
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
4336 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
194 Posts |
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Well, La Poste in France hasn't caught on yet. I've been having a heck of a time getting some auction wins of higher value shipped to me as they won't even accept the package. I finally resorted to Chronopost, which is supposed to be charging me a hefty fee upon delivery (although they passed it off to FedEx over here and so far FedEx doesn't seem to know what to do with the package). |
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Bedrock Of The Community
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Valued Member
Switzerland
486 Posts |
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Ok.. some people don't seem to get the problem. Here's the thing (for Switzerland, other countries have different %):
The United States will cut its tariffs on goods from Switzerland to 15% from 39% under a new framework trade agreement. Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin reached a deal after a whirlwind visit to Washington on Thursday, the Federal Council said on Friday.
"Switzerland and Liechtenstein have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the United States. On this basis, the United States will reduce the country-specific additional tariff to 15%," the government said in a statement".
The question is not whether there is a tax on stamp materials. This tax has been 0% since 1776 (or thereabouts) and has not changed.
The problem is the additional tariffs imposed on any goods. And stamp material is "any goods". As long as these additional tariffs are not declared illegal by the SC, most foreign postal organisations as LaPoste will not touch any packets as Mr Helstrom has learned recently.. |
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Bedrock Of The Community
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Quote:
Ok.. some people don't seem to get the problem. Here's the thing (for Switzerland, other countries have different %):
The United States will cut its tariffs on goods from Switzerland to 15% from 39% under a new framework trade agreement. Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin reached a deal after a whirlwind visit to Washington on Thursday, the Federal Council said on Friday.
"Switzerland and Liechtenstein have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the United States. On this basis, the United States will reduce the country-specific additional tariff to 15%," the government said in a statement".
The question is not whether there is a tax on stamp materials. This tax has been 0% since 1776 (or thereabouts) and has not changed.
The problem is the additional tariffs imposed on any goods. And stamp material is "any goods". As long as these additional tariffs are not declared illegal by the SC, most foreign postal organisations as LaPoste will not touch any packets as Mr Helstrom has learned recently.. Quote:
The new letter is silent on the issue of whether stamps are informational materials or not, qualifying for the Berman Amendment's exemption for informational materials.The last paragraph refers to Chapter 99 but does not appear to provide guidance on this matter.
Quote:
Informal guidance from CBP supervisors continues to refer collectors to the CBP FAQ which notes that HTS heading 9704 items may be considered informational materials. The suggestion then is that philatelic material can enter the US under one of four exemption codes for informational material as follows:
Mexican origin material : 9903.01.03
Canadian origin material : 9903.01.12
Chinese origin material : 9903.01.22
All other origin material : 9903.01.31
Collectors who have instructed their overseas vendors to include the HTS code 9903.01.31 in addition to the traditional 9704.00.0000 code are reportedly now successfully receiving their purchases without the assessment of tariffs. Based on all available evidence, this approach should work. |
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Replies: 19 / Views: 2,069 |
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Posted 10/24/2025 10:01 pm
