U.S. Tariffs – Frequently Asked Questions

U.S. Tariffs – Frequently Asked Questions

Which products incur import fees?
Products shipped from our US warehouse do not incur import fees.
Products shipped from VKB Headquarters in China do incur import fees when they arrive in the United States.

Items shipped from the US are labeled with “(US)” at the end of the product name.
Items without this label ship from China.

Do tariffs apply even if my state has no sales tax?
Yes. Tariffs are federal customs fees. They apply nationwide.

Will I pay tariffs if my order contains both US and China items?
Yes. Any item in your order that ships from China will be subject to import fees. Items shipped from the US warehouse will not.

What are these tariffs?
Tariffs are import fees set by the United States government on goods made in and shipped from China or Hong Kong. These fees apply to many electronics, including VKB products shipped from China.

Why do these tariffs exist?
Tariffs are part of U.S. customs regulations. They apply to most shipments from China entering the country. These fees are not set or controlled by VKB North America.

How much are the tariffs?
For orders shipped from VKB HQ in China, the total import rate is 45 percent of the declared value:

- 35 percent customs duty
- 10 percent additional tariff

Can VKB North America estimate the tariff for me?
No. The carrier calculates the exact amount when your shipment arrives in the United States.

Is the tariff included in the shipping fee I pay at checkout?
No. The shipping fee covers transportation only. Import fees are separate.

Who collects these fees?
The carrier collects the fees on behalf of U.S. Customs.

- DHL collects fees for DHL Express shipments.
- For smaller items shipped by Chukou1, USPS or another final-mile carrier may send a fee notice if required.

VKB North America does not receive any of these fees.

When do I pay the tariffs?
Once your package reaches the United States, the carrier will contact you with instructions or a secure payment link. Delivery begins after the fees are paid.

What happens if I do not pay the tariffs?
If fees are not paid, the carrier cannot deliver the shipment. DHL or USPS will return the package to VKB HQ in China after a holding period.
Once VKB HQ confirms the return, we will issue a full refund.

Why are tariffs not included at checkout?
Tariffs are calculated during customs processing. Because the amount is set at clearance, it cannot be charged or estimated at checkout. The carrier collects the fees on behalf of the government.

Can I prepay tariffs at checkout?
No. Tariffs must be paid directly to the carrier after arrival.

What if DHL or USPS cannot reach me for payment?
The carrier will try again by email, text, or phone. If they still cannot reach you, the package will be returned to VKB HQ. A full refund will be issued once the return is confirmed.

If I refuse tariffs, do I pay return shipping?
No. Return shipping is handled by the carrier. You receive a full refund after VKB HQ receives the returned package.

I ordered small accessories. Do tariffs still apply?
Yes. Tariffs apply to all shipments from China, including small items shipped through Chukou1.

Why is DHL used for larger items?
DHL Express is currently the most reliable carrier for processing imports under the updated customs rules. We use Chukou1 for small items and will continue to review carrier options as conditions change.

Why is the tariff amount high compared to the item price?
The tariff is based on a percentage of the item’s declared value. These percentages are set by U.S. Customs and cannot be changed by DHL, USPS, or VKB North America.

Can I dispute or reduce the tariff amount with DHL or customs?
No. Tariffs are fixed by U.S. Customs and cannot be negotiated.

If I order multiple times from China, will I pay tariffs each time?
Yes. Tariffs apply to every shipment that enters the United States.