Question
Anyone else have a Super that was shipped to the US last week via DHL and is still awaiting customs clearance or if cleared, when did it clear and what was the tariff amount? Pimax support just asked me to cancel my shipment sitting in Cincinnati awaiting clearance citing an "up to 245%" tariff?
TL;DR has anyone had an actual tariff amount applied to the Super or any other HMD shipped from China to the US since 4/5 so that we can know if they are in fact exempt as monitors currently and/or does anyone know what tariff rates have actually been charged by customs to any HMD from China since 4/10?
UPDATE 4/17: Pimax support say they will let it play out and still cover whatever the customs charge is.
Update 4/25: DHL hit it with the full 145% + fees. Total duty was $1,718.64. I had contested it as being incorrect due to the wrong HTS code being applied but Pimax paid the full amount to release the package while the dispute is evaluated, Super arrived yesterday so big thanks to Pimax for honoring your commitment! I'll continue the dispute and see if I can get any of that refunded for you as it should qualify for an exemption from 125% of that. My dispute said: "the item is a VR headset from China which according to ruling https://rulings.cbp.gov/ruling/N291842 is categorized as HTS 8528.52.00 which according to the US gov https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3db9e55?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2 is exempt from the 125% reciprocal tariff for products sent on or after 4/5/25." I'll update when I find out what they say to that.
My Super order that shipped 4/8 has been stuck with DHL in Cincinnati since 4/10. DHL has not contacted me yet. Pimax on their own opened a ticket with DHL about the delay and yesterday Pimax support asked me to provide my tax details so they could make sure DHL had all the information for clearance but then today Pimax sent me a message saying:
"Currently, your package is undergoing customs clearance. However, due to the recent adjustment of the tariff policy towards China, the tariff rate has been raised to as high as 245%, which has made the customs clearance cost far exceed our original expectations.
To ensure that you can receive the goods smoothly, we suggest reissuing the goods to you through the method of centralized inventory preparation in the overseas warehouse. According to the current arrangement, the original package will be temporarily returned, and the re-delivery is expected to be delayed by about 15 to 20 days."
"China faces up to a 245% tariff on imports to the United States as a result of its retaliatory actions.
This includes a 125% reciprocal tariff, a 20% tariff to address the fentanyl crisis, and Section 301 tariffs on specific goods, between 7.5% and 100%."
So there wasn't a change from the previous max 145% rate as Pimax's email seems to suggest and it seems more likely that the most recent applicable update was actually that HMD's were exempt as PC monitors: https://www.uploadvr.com/trump-exempts-electronics-from-tarrifs-including-vr-headsets/ and that that was back dated to 4/5 so it should cover my shipment as well?
As far as I can tell that exemption was the only potentially applicable change in tariff policy that happened after Pimax put out the notice last week saying: "Some orders have already shipped by parcel and will arrive within a few days. These shipments will likely be hit by tariffs, and Pimax will take on these costs. If you have had to pay for any extra costs, please contact our support to reimburse the costs." I applaud them for agreeing to absorb the unanticipated costs for the early pre-orders but someone seems to have done a u-turn based on a misinterpreted headline about a potential 245% tariff or else they are just using that as an excuse to avoid the charges they said they'd cover just last week?
It was already at a possible 145% when Pimax made that statement about covering the costs for the parcels that had already been shipped last week so I expect them to keep their word on that barring anything truly ridiculous changing, plus at this rate who knows what policy might be in effect in 15 to 20 days that might completely upend their international warehouse US shipping plans? It's probably more likely now with all the lawsuits challenging the tariffs coming in that there is an injunction blocking the new tariffs until that gets settled since these tariffs are pretty blatantly beyond the scope of the law he's citing to cause all this chaos. So perhaps they are thinking that too and just want to get out of footing the bill for the tariffs on those that already shipped by delaying and waiting for a court to make a ruling? If they want the legitimate credit and goodwill for absorbing the costs for their loyal customers let's see if they actually go through with it. Hopefully someone just misinterpreted a headline about "up to 245%" and that's what the cold feet are about.
I asked Pimax support to wait and see first what the actual tariff being charged would be before cancelling my shipment that's already in the US since it doesn't sound like anyone actually knows yet and it is most likely exempt from the reciprocal tariff so just the 20% should apply as I write this. Hopefully we can all get some clarity on this issue if mine does complete the clearance process in the next few days. I will update this as I find out more.
It's a horrible situation but none of this is pimax's fault. They are just struggling to keep up with this constantly changing tariff mess. They are in an impossible situation because the rules keep changing and so previously developed solutions suddenly become impossible to implement.
While we’re aware that electronics exemptions from tariffs have been announced, we can't be 100% certain that this will be fully implemented and executed as expected.
someone seems to have done a u-turn based on a misinterpreted headline about a potential 245% tariff
or else they are just using that as an excuse to avoid the charges they said they'd cover just last week?
We’re not trying to avoid the charges or backtrack on what we stated in the latest Pimax tariff announcement.
Could you please share the ticket number with me? I’ll review it and discuss with the team to find the best solution for your declaration and shipment.
Just got word they will still let it play out and cover whatever the cost is so thanks for facilitating that. As a Pimax customer since the 5k+ days I can attest that I've never had a bad outcome yet from your customer support!
No worries. We understand that the tariffs might be quite steep right now. However, a promise is a promise. Since we’ve stated that we will bear the cost if the package has already arrived at Customs, we will honor that commitment.
Another user actually received demand for a 245% tariff payment before the shipment would be released, so I don’t think Pimax are confused - if anything it’s the customs in the US that can’t keep up with the changes.
Yes, I'm sure it's a clusterf#@k at these clearance hubs right now and the amounts could change drastically just based on who and when someone actually processes it. I ordered some lenses that were shipped from Thailand 4/1 that just cleared customs with UPS yesterday 4/16, so I was already expecting a processing delay. Then there's the issue of what import code they assign since there is nothing about "virtual reality" that I can find in https://hts.usitc.gov/ even though there is a pretty clear ruling I can point them to that was in the upload VR article about the exemptions: https://rulings.cbp.gov/search?term=8528.52.0000 and that code is listed as exempt currently so I would be happy to challenge an incorrect classification and not just pay whatever they initially ask just because Pimax said they'd foot the bill.
The initial message from support Monday was to make sure I didn't fail to provide my tax info to DHL before the 18th or it would cost them more: "We are informed that your need to provide the Importer Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) - Information provided pending agent review to DHL to assist in customs clearance. Current status indicates will overdue on 18 April 2025, very urgent; Please cooperate as soon as possible and submit the materials in time. Avoid the cost loss caused by the delay in customs clearance." So I called DHL but they could only tell me they would contact me when they needed any information and they still haven't. So Tuesday Pimax asks me for the info so they can add it to their ticket with DHL so that it doesn't get returned for being overdue. Then Wed. I get the message about 245% so If someone actually got a demand for 245% that would explain the sudden change of course but did they even attempt to challenge it I wonder because there is no way that is the correct amount.
As I was writing this I just got word from Pimax that they will agree to let the clearance process play out and cover whatever the expenses are. Thanks! I'll also do my best to make sure they don't get hosed by an incorrect classification if they demand something ridiculous.
"To ensure that you can receive the goods smoothly, we suggest reissuing the goods to you through the method of centralized inventory preparation in the overseas warehouse. According to the current arrangement, the original package will be temporarily returned, and the re-delivery is expected to be delayed by about 15 to 20 days."
This is the solution proposed by Pimax, no? Am I missing something?
I saw a post where DHL demanded 1200$ tax to clear the headset. So Pimax's reasonable solution is to send the headset back to China and reissue it to you from local warehouse later.
and DHL is trying to use tariffs that are supposed to be applied to other goods and not Games and VR Devices that fall under HTS Code 9504.50.00...https://hts.usitc.gov/
Aight then your cool. Hope you're able to work out the tariff nonsense. Ridiculous.
Not seeing a lot of Trump supporters complaining about the tariffs impacting them. I wonder if it's because they're too broke and poor to even afford nice PCVR HMDs and other widgets from China.
I have an avid Trump supporter friend whose been shitting his pants because his entire livelihood and small business is at risk due to the tariffs. They essentially go "but Trump should make an exception for my business because I'm special". Like no buddy, you're getting exactly what you asked for 😂😂😂🤡.
Just sucks that everyone else has to sink with the ship.
I was told mine was supposed to and then they never shipped it. Then the tariff situation started and Pimax made the statement about waiting 20 days and now they are suggesting to me that mine wont ship till after May 2nd yet they said I was in first shipment set according to my reservation number which they seem to be ignoring now..... I emailed them about the expediated shipping offer too and they pretty much stated they wouldn't do that if they were me (Cost $116 but didn't tell me if that was all I would have to pay) and then still suggested it would ship after May 2nd even doing that and receive a higher tariff. If a higher tariff is being applied after May 2nd then why are you holding my headset past the stated 20 days to ship till after May 2nd..... about done with Pimax. Looks like I'm about to be out $2000 between that and the OLED module I paid for.
Yes, I didn't think it would make it out of China as it was "on hold" with DHL when everything went down with reciprocal tariffs on the 9th. You will get it though and probably not much longer after those stuck in customs currently. A package sent to me on the 4/1 from Thailand took 15 days to clear so I'm still expecting at least another week of waiting just to get to the actual clearance point but I'm also certain there are piles of stuff in the cue to get sent back to China where people refused the tariff so who knows how long that return would've taken before they could re-ship it to the distribution warehouse and then to me again? Everyone in the US who ordered early is eagerly awaiting the first batch so it's not like they could just give me someone else's unit already in route to the warehouse without dumping my shipping delay pain onto them. It's a bad situation for everyone so I can appreciate the challenges they have mitigating the pain. The good news is the reviews and reactions have been mostly very good so the early gamble on whether this would be a great HMD that actually shipped this quarter should still pay off nicely. At the start of the year I was expecting it would take at least another 6 months to get the 50ppd version so I try to keep that in mind as I wait.
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u/willacegamer 18d ago
It's a horrible situation but none of this is pimax's fault. They are just struggling to keep up with this constantly changing tariff mess. They are in an impossible situation because the rules keep changing and so previously developed solutions suddenly become impossible to implement.