Vinyl, CDs and cassettes remain exempt from US tariffs, Bandcamp and Discogs warn of “delays and complications”

Vinyl, CDs and cassettes will remain exempt from any tariffs under the US presidential order.

Beginning on Friday (29th August), US President Donald Trump’s tariff changes mean that any “de minimis” goods or packages imported to the US — most goods with a value of under $800 — will no longer be duty-free. 

Both Bandcamp and Discogs have shared statements confirming the exception for “informational media” — which includes recorded music — coming into the United States. But they still warn of delays or mistakes during the period of adjustment.

As Discogs points out, under US law 50 USC 1702(b)(3), “informational media” like music remains exempt, but they warn that “customs and postal carriers may experience delays or mistakes as they adjust to the new requirements”. The increase in border checks may lead to delays.

“Unfortunately, we have no way to control or fully predict how this will unfold. Therefore, we recommend that anyone shipping to the US be aware of the uncertainty, the additional fees that some carriers have recently added, and the potential risks of shipping until the situation is more consistently applied,” they wrote.

Music merchandise, such as “soft goods and tote bags”, will still be liable to pay import taxes.

Last Wednesday (27th August), Bandcamp issued new guidelines encouraging artists to update their shipping costs to cover the increased import duties and use shipping options that are DDP.

“If they ship your package using Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) or Delivered At Place (DAP) and the duties are not prepaid, you will not be eligible for a refund if you refuse to pay the tariffs upon delivery,” they urged. “We are encouraging artists to update their shipping costs to include these import duties and use shipping options that are Delivered Duty Paid (DDP). 

Bandcamp also warned that many international postal carriers are “temporarily suspending or changing delivery options to the US”.