So while Mr T can't take all the blame (as much as I'd like to credit him with it) the current tariff of 25% on US manufactured canoes, kayaks, boats, yachts, etc... is imposed by the EU in response to his recent tariffs on European imports of Steel/Aluminium into the USA. I suppose initially they were proposed to try and get the US to back down and not impose any tariffs but, so far, it hasn't worked.
Anyway, a 25% tariff isn't the only factor.
Normal duty of 2.7% applies plus VAT of 23% (for Ireland but varies by EU state). Container shipping isn't as cheap as you might think and has risen considerably over the last 5 - 10 years. You can't fit that many 15ft sit on tops in a 20ft/40ft box either. So that already gives over a 50% additional cost before distributors and local retailers can make a margin to live off.
So far this has had a hugely detrimental impact on distributors/retailers of US manufactured canoes/kayaks with most either abandoning importation altogether or substantially reducing the frequency of imports to what are probably unsustainably small levels.
There is no time limit to these tariffs and Brexit may be a small glimmer of hope for UK importers who will most likely be able to import with little or no tariff if/when the UK leaves the EU. They will already have paid the tariff on the stock they currently have and will be out of pocket for margin lost over the last 10 months so it is unlikely that prices will drop dramatically (especially if sterling is in the toilet after leaving).
Interesting times...
(The views expressed here are of an individual and not of Team I-CANOE as a whole).
Anyway, a 25% tariff isn't the only factor.
Normal duty of 2.7% applies plus VAT of 23% (for Ireland but varies by EU state). Container shipping isn't as cheap as you might think and has risen considerably over the last 5 - 10 years. You can't fit that many 15ft sit on tops in a 20ft/40ft box either. So that already gives over a 50% additional cost before distributors and local retailers can make a margin to live off.
So far this has had a hugely detrimental impact on distributors/retailers of US manufactured canoes/kayaks with most either abandoning importation altogether or substantially reducing the frequency of imports to what are probably unsustainably small levels.
There is no time limit to these tariffs and Brexit may be a small glimmer of hope for UK importers who will most likely be able to import with little or no tariff if/when the UK leaves the EU. They will already have paid the tariff on the stock they currently have and will be out of pocket for margin lost over the last 10 months so it is unlikely that prices will drop dramatically (especially if sterling is in the toilet after leaving).
Interesting times...
(The views expressed here are of an individual and not of Team I-CANOE as a whole).
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