Section 338 Tariffs - August 19, 2026
Summary: sapphyres-designer-jewellery initiated a discussion about new Section 338 tariffs affecting Canadian exports, noting the impact on items like stamps and media products. transtraders expressed confusion over tariff exemptions for media items, while phc64 mentioned that some optical media might not be affected. Participants discussed potential tariff impacts on businesses, with some planning to adjust their listings based on items' country of origin. There was frustration over inconsistent tariff guidelines and concerns about political influences, as well as uncertainty on how mixed media like CDs with DVDs would be treated. Overall, there was apprehension about the impact on their businesses and ongoing changes in tariff policies.
I received a message from Stallion this morning about the new Section 338 tariffs (50% on all items on the list, CUSMA does not help us get out of paying these).
I looked through the list, stamps are on it. (9704.00)
4907.00 is NOT on the list (fiduciary paper) but I think they have to be US stamps and not used to qualify, world stamps of all kinds are under 9704.
This will affect all my Canadian lots. I don't have so many world lots (I was putting Canada for the COO on those). Now I'm going to go country by country of what's in the package instead of saying it's a "collection assembled in Canada".
How is everyone else going to handle the new tariffs?
C.
john_koenig99
·2 weeks agoAs of this morning, three days reprieve. Let's see what will happen....
sapphyres-designer-jewellery
OP2 weeks agoI feel as though we're being jerked around. The constant thread of tariffs scares of US customers, and then if they don't go through all that's happened is our businesses have been disrupted. I've often said "do whatever you have to do and get it over with". The constant threat that "something will happen" is not good for anyone's sanity.
transtraders
·2 weeks agoI heard a rumor that the "Deal" gets the tariff's down to 25%. If true that is still going to sting hard.
schoondeals
·2 weeks agoI'm currently turning off international shipping on any of my DVD's or blu ray that are made in Canada or China. I'm trying to stay hopeful and in good spirits
sapphyres-designer-jewellery
OP2 weeks agoThank you for reminding me to reassign my listings. I have a number of Canadian things that will ship to the US. Need to end all of that, they're subject to tariffs.
musicyouneed
·2 weeks agoI had ended all my DVD's and checked where they were made. I relisted any that were made in the US but this one doesn't say. Can you take a look and tell me where you think it was made. If it doesn't say should I just not take a chance.
john_koenig99
·2 weeks agoIt does not say.
transtraders
·2 weeks agoThe production company is located in California.
Hay House - Wikipedia
marnotom!
·2 weeks agoAgree with @transtraders . If the company that produced it is based in the US, they probably contracted a US firm to manufacture the DVD. Have you checked the DVD itself for any clues?
musicyouneed
·2 weeks agoNo as it is brand new still sealed.
musicyouneed
·3 weeks ago · EditedI am just wondering how CD's with a bonus DVD would be treated. What a mess he created.
Update: Did a search and:
Because 8523.49.3000 carries a 0% baseline duty rate (Free) under standard international agreements, it can be tempting to route mixed media under it. However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection heavily scrutinizes descriptions. If your optical discs contain video data, interactive media, or software components alongside sound, they must be classified under the non-exempt codes and will face the full 50% penalty.
I ended all my DVD only listings today.
Update: Wonder if the DVD was made in the USA, would the duty apply?
vintage_america
·3 weeks agoAre all your dvd’s made in Canada? My understanding is this new 50% tariff only affects certain Canada COO items. Not any made in other countries.
sapphyres-designer-jewellery
OP3 weeks agoThat's my understanding too. The "smoke tax" applies to Canadian COO items.
transtraders
·3 weeks agoAI Response:
"Section 338 tariffs affect all covered goods listed in the Presidential Proclamations, not just Canadian-made items. Coverage depends on the specific HTSUS classification of the imported product, and origin certification under CUSMA does not provide an exemption. Businesses should verify each product’s entry classification to determine whether the tariff applies."
sapphyres-designer-jewellery
OP3 weeks agoThis is what I got from AI:
If you mean the U.S. Section 338 tariffs currently being imposed in 2026, they are specifically aimed at goods of Canadian origin.
As of August 14, 2026, the three Section 338 proclamations issued July 20 impose an additional 50% tariff on specified Canadian-origin goods, effective August 19, 2026.
Country affected
Country of originSection 338 tariffCanada50% on specified goodsOther countriesNo current Section 338 tariff under these proclamations
The tariffs cover a fairly broad range of Canadian products, including certain dairy products, alcoholic beverages, motor vehicles, clothing, cement, hockey sticks and other goods. They apply even when the goods qualify for USMCA/CUSMA treatment.
There are important exclusions, including energy, potash, certain critical minerals, fish, and products already subject to Section 232 tariffs.
If you're asking because you're importing coins, banknotes, medals, or other numismatic items, I can check specifically whether numismatic goods from Canada are subject to the Section 338 50% tariff, including the relevant HTS codes. That would be especially useful given your earlier HTS questions.
musicyouneed
·3 weeks agoI did a search regarding CD's as that is what I sell and this is what google came up with.
Yes, HTS code 8523.49.3000 is exempt from the upcoming 50% Section 338 tariffs. This specific Harmonized Tariff Schedule code covers "Recorded optical media, for reproducing sound only" (such as commercial audio CDs). Under the guidelines issued for the July 20, 2026 presidential proclamations, informational and educational media products—including recorded audio CDs, vinyl records, and printed books—are completely excluded from the tariff annexes.
transtraders
·3 weeks agoDid a similar search using 8523.49.50 (Optical Media) and google said that they are NOT exempt.
Its seems weird to me that CD's are exempt but DVD's are not. They are both optical media.
john_koenig99
·3 weeks agoYet another f*ing mess courtesy of the orange t*rd.
When will that guy finally call it quits?
easoss
·3 weeks agoThe damage has already been done. There isn’t going to be any Calvary coming over the hill to save the day. The midterms won’t change anything. Tariffs of some form are here to stay. I guess it’ll soon be time to get a rocker and go on my front porch to reminisce about the good old days of selling on eBay.
sapphyres-designer-jewellery
OP3 weeks agoSomeone I know has suggested that they think a State of Emergency might be called to cancel the midterms. (Which may lead to a civil war). We shall see.
I do believe tariffs are here to stay, but I was hoping CUSMA would continue and not be cancelled out with new tariffs.
transtraders
·3 weeks agoI am still a little confused if media items are still exempt or if they will be affected by these new tariffs. The HTS code I have been using is on the list so I guess it will be affected.
If that is the case then this will greatly affect my small business as I sell mostly media items to USA besides the occasional EIS order.
I will basically be down to just the Canadian market, which as we all know is much smaller.
phc64
·3 weeks agoI do not see compact discs (8523.49.30) or phonograph records (8523.80.10) on the list.
Of course, all these concerns are being made under the assumption that these 50% tariffs will actually go into effect seven days from today. Our prime minister doesn’t seem too concerned, as he is currently on vacation in Italy.
sapphyres-designer-jewellery
OP3 weeks agoWe were discussing this at the B&M store today, they don't seem to think they're going to go ahead either and aren't panicking, but they don't ship goods to the US anyway. They said they don't want to ship to the US and be stuck with the buyer's tariff if the buyer refuses the package (the stuff they ship might be too expensive for Stallion, which has a $2500 USD limit).
transtraders
·3 weeks agoRecorded optical media (8523.49.40 and 8523.49.50) are in the list. I am not sure why CD's (which are also optical media) are not in the list. Feels like they just picked random #'s or something.
musicyouneed
·3 weeks ago · EditedFrom what I understand is CD's are not affected by this tariff, however if the CD also has a DVD and it was made in Canada then it will be affected. If it was made in the US then no. Any of my CD/DVD combinations if they were made in Canada then I will only list them on .ca with no shipping to the US. DVD's made in Canada will be affected but not if they were made in the US.
What a mess one person can make.