Trump’s new 25% US tax on European products includes cameras and lenses and could significantly increase the price of Leica gear in the US. Here are the details:
“Products of Germany described below are subject to additional import duties of 25 percent ad valorem: Objective lenses and parts & access. thereof, for cameras, projectors, or photographic enlargers or reducers, except projection, nesoi” (see bottom of page 2 of attached PDF file)
The only way I see Leica avoiding this 25% tariff is to start making more products in their factory in Portugal.
The effective date for the new tariffs is October 18, 2019.
You can read more on the new Trump tariffs on NYTimes, Time and CNBC.
Update: it seems that the new tariffs apply only to lenses, lens accessories and camera parts.
Thanks Gary!
