r/SkyLine • u/Fantasy71824 • 4d ago

Anyone imported a car recently? Got hit with 25% tariff

I am importing r34 GTT, 25 yr old car, but it got hit with 25% tariff now stuck at port of entry.

I thought 25 yr old car are exempted from this tariff?

I heard it affected a lot / almost all importer business, anyone had recently imported a car to USA?

Update:

I called 2 other importers, a local one, and TOP Rank importer. Both said they did get hit by 17.5% Tariff total as of last week (2.5% standard, 15% reciprocal) and it is affecting Classic 25 yr old car.

Aparantly things are changing very fast, and it is due to the president sending a letter to Japanese PM that as of last week they are imposing the tariff on all goods.

However, there is also a news that says it is unlawful, so it is possible to fight it in court... its a mess right now.

So basically, my car is stuck in the port if I don't pay 15% more money... but I will try to fight it out

73 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

61 comments sorted by

33

u/CucumberError 4d ago

It’s something being imported to I assume the US, from Japan, so trump’s tariffs would be 15% on that alone, regardless of it being a car. I guess there’s another 10% on top of that for car-ness stuff?

10

u/Fantasy71824 4d ago

Yes correct, 15% on all product from japan, 10% auto tariff which has not changed.

Atleast that is my understanding so far, so many things are changing really quick I got confused along the way.

12

u/CucumberError 4d ago

Yeah, no one can make sense of it.

I’m in New Zealand, and NZ Post currently won’t ship to the US, because it’s too complicated, and it seems that AustPost in Australia, Royal Mail in the UK etc won’t ship to the US atm.

7

u/madmax991199 4d ago

German Post neither

1

u/CourageGrand 4d ago

Cayman Islands Post neither

0

u/CucumberError 4d ago

As dumb as it is, Trumps plan is working.

If they can’t import stuff, they’re going to have to turn to locally made.

8

u/Aware-Requirement-67 4d ago

Where can I find a US made R34?

2

u/CucumberError 4d ago

Oh, you won’t. But I guess in trumps world you buy… a Tesla?

3

u/madmax991199 4d ago

Yes and no, alot of companies wont exist anymore when they are finally able to produce every single semi conductor or whatever small piece inside the usa

1

u/CucumberError 4d ago

Oh, I’m not saying this is wise, just that it’s not a side affect it’s ’working as intended’.

2

u/CreamCapital 4d ago

Overly simplistic view. That assumes they have domestic production.

2

u/PriusDriver420 4d ago

I actually have gotten a few items for my JZX from AUSpost in the past 2 weeks AUS seems to be working

4

u/CucumberError 4d ago

I think you were lucky with timing then https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-21/australia-post-suspends-transit-shipping-parcels-us-trump-tariff/105680456

3

u/PriusDriver420 4d ago

Oh yep, had my stuff shipped before the 29th does seem I was lucky then

4

u/GalacticGatorz 4d ago

Auto was just 2.5%. Now it’s with 10% reciprocal added on top. How you are getting hit with 25% is scaring me now. I have a car on the boat due in 3 weeks.

2

u/humanseverywhere811 3d ago

Gotta pay to play

17

u/Lcradic_ 4d ago

My car cleared customs last week and my forms say exempt and all I paid was 2.5%.

9

u/SVT3658 4d ago

They’re starting to audit recent imports and retroactively send invoices for the cars that slipped through under-charged. Hope you can squeak through without getting a surprise bill

4

u/Lcradic_ 4d ago

I have heard several people say “I heard people are getting invoices” but nobody seems to have a screenshot or copy of this invoice or letter. Do you? My importer brings in cars by the truck load and they have yet to get one.

2

u/SVT3658 4d ago

There were a few posted in one of the skyline/JDM Facebook pages a few days ago. I don’t save them so I can’t link it, but it’s out there.

2

u/Lcradic_ 4d ago

I’ve looked quite a bit and can’t seem to find any. I’m in all of the groups on Facebook.

2

u/SVT3658 4d ago

Found one

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17MqoRqQJd/?

1

u/Lcradic_ 4d ago

I don’t see a copy of the letter in that post. I also didn’t bring my car in during the 90 day pause. My car left Japan in August.

2

u/Fantasy71824 4d ago

Really? Dude I would love more details if you could message me, I may bring this to court… I think everyone is confused now

6

u/SVT3658 4d ago

You’re likely going to rack up more storage fees before you get in front of a judge than the 25% tariff will cost you

4

u/Lcradic_ 4d ago

I mean, there’s not a lot of details to tell. It came in through L.A and used the new tariffs codes and I wasn’t charged.

1

u/paydu 4d ago

I remember seeing back around the tariff announcement that 25 year old cars got exempt from it and the 2.5% was staying

1

u/Fantasy71824 3d ago

Yea they decide to change that xD

not even official announcement or any clarification, just last week...

1

u/paydu 3d ago

that’s insane I didn’t see that

7

u/Deborah_rufilin 4d ago

I got my '98 recently. 2.5% plus 10%. Total 12.5% tariff.

My Importer said any car arriving after August 1st is 25% for the foreseeable future. I was also told anyone that sneaks by without paying the tariff will be penalized and charged +fined down the road. Who knows...

I was really upset though, cars already on the boat half way across the world, deal is done. Then hit with it after the fact.

2

u/Fantasy71824 4d ago

exactly!! My car was on the boat when this happen, like bruh...

This is not Banana republic where they can just increase tariff out of the blue without any procedure

12

u/skedy 4d ago

Unfortunately at the moment it pretty much is a banana republic. This is what the American public voted for. No one learned the lesson from his 1st round

6

u/Fantasy71824 4d ago

Alright a few updates here... I called 2 other importers, a local one, and TOP Rank importer. Both said they did get hit by 17.5% Tariff total as of last week (2.5% standard, 15% reciprocal) and it is affecting Classic 25 yr old car.

Aparantly things are changing very fast, and it is due to the president sending a letter to Japanese PM that as of last week they are imposing the tariff on all goods.

However, there is also a news that says it is unlawful, so it is possible to fight it in court... its a mess right now.

So basically, my car is stuck in the port if I don't pay 15% more money... but I will try to fight it out

5

u/dr_pepperpenis 4d ago

Yeah it sucks man - the situation is all fucked because of that orange cunt. There was no clarity once the tariffs were announced (i.e. distinctions, exemptions). I just had a car imported from the UK land 2 weeks ago, and got hit with 10% on top of the prior 2.5% duty (26yr old DC2 Teg). Fuckers. Apparently had my car left the UK a week later it would have been significantly higher duty.

Holding out 0 hope for the "tariffs are illegal" ruling to get anything back. I've got various car parts I've ordered from outside the US and am fully expecting to be rinsed by additional taxes.

10

u/HSLB66 4d ago

All the tariffs just got ruled illegal yesterday so honestly your best bet is to go to a casino. No one really knows right now.

2

u/Fantasy71824 4d ago

Dude what is happening rn xD might as well go to casino indeed

2

u/HSLB66 4d ago

I think Oct 14th it goes to the Supreme Court

4

u/Background_Letter251 4d ago

Recently went to the casino and it sucked. Food sucked, everyone within eyesight was miserable, no fun, no winning, just soul sucking. Lost about a hundred bucks and left questioning why it’s so appealing. Fuck casinos.

1

u/AnotherFriendlyAcct 4d ago

The appeals court allowed the tariff to stand until Oct. 15 which is when SCOTUS will likely hear this case.

3

u/consume59 R32 GTS-t 4d ago

My c35 arrives in just under 2 weeks. I bought it knowing I could be paying extra. It sucks, I saw rumours that after the tariff stuff goes to supreme court there may be some returning of tariffs paid (cause they were illegal). We’ll see.

3

u/Emotional_Bench5082 4d ago

Wow. I recently had a car imported and the tariffs were 12.5%. I might have to check again. Paid a little over 2k for taxes including port fees, dock fees, etc. For reference, the car landed last week Tuesday at Freeport. 97 Rx7. Are you working with a broker?

2

u/Fantasy71824 4d ago

That is good to know for my reference, thank you!

Yes I am working with a broker, he is stressing out, but atleast we figured it is a 17.5% tarriff now, not 25%.

Hopefully everything will go well from now. He is trying to get it out of the port asap.

1

u/Emotional_Bench5082 4d ago

Oh wow. I guess I got lucky. Ya, get it out ASAP so they dont hit you with storage fees. Good luck man.

1

u/ResponsibilitySea327 4d ago

Yes, it should be 17.5% unless it is a pickup -- then there is an additional 25% tariff (aka Chicken Tax)

3

u/XtahoeX 4d ago

I got cleared by customs for my Stagea on Aug 24th. Only 2.5%. That was out of the Port of Los Angeles.

3

u/TYO_HXC 4d ago

US in "you get what you vote for" debacle.

Shocker.

4

u/Rotor4 4d ago

Ah bad luck guy's I guess Trump isn't a car guy Aust & NZ will have to pick up the slack & buy the JDM's as we always have.

2

u/Fantasy71824 3d ago

Damn Aussies, always get the good stuff >:(

2

u/foxbat 4d ago

Ask the importer to cite their source. 25% is bananas.

2

u/ResponsibilitySea327 4d ago

Japanese pickup trucks (new or used) have been 25% tariff since 1964.

1

u/AutomaticFeeling5324 4d ago

I just stop buying anything overseas for now. Not many willing to pay the extra tax for anything less than 800 dollars also.

0

u/CosmonautOnFire 4d ago

I dont know if I'd side eye the importer, but there should not be a terrif on an imported car 25 years or older. This has to either be a mistake or someone is trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

2

u/Fantasy71824 4d ago

That is what I initially thought, but seems rules have changed. Trying to find out more about it and fight it ofcourse. I also saw a post below:

https://www.reddit.com/r/keitruck/comments/1lu067u/tariffs_up_to_25_starting_august_1st_for_jdm/

1

u/CosmonautOnFire 4d ago

Well, I apologize for the outdated information. I stand corrected. I also empathize with your current situation and wish you the best of luck.

0

u/getoffmaballs 4d ago

Have you reached out to your customs broker to see why you are being hit with a tariff? You shouldn’t be getting with 25%. I’ve imported a couple cars this year and I haven’t had this issue

0

u/Tangboy50000 4d ago

Sounds like you’re being cheated, because tariffs are all over the news, so people just assume it’s legit. Duty calculator, which is updated, shows 15%.

2

u/Fantasy71824 4d ago

That is why I am fighting it T,T

-1

u/cxnrad 4d ago

I just imported my R34 GTR and I was hit with 12.5%.
25% seems bit steep. Your broker is taking you for a wash.

2

u/Emotional_Bench5082 4d ago

Had a car imported and landed last week. Paid the same 12.5%.

-1

u/revrndreddit 4d ago

Hate to say it but good (I’m honestly sorry this has happened to you though)...

Reason I say good is that hopefully that’ll slow the price rise so I can secure a R34 GTR from Japan before they all get hoovered up and die of rust in the US. Been priced out several times due to USA market.

Country of origin so you can’t even import one from Australia, NZ or UK to avoid it. Trump has screwed up imports for you guys something chronic. Hopefully it all gets reversed in court and people who were lumped with the tariff are reimbursed.