Shutting Down Operations - Tariffs
Summary: wilsonharborsales shared their decision to shut down operations due to confusion over tariffs and compliance issues affecting shipments, especially in light of trucks being rejected. They mentioned uncertainty about tariff calculations and compliance with free trade agreements like CUSMA. byto253 also stopped shipments, opting to ship through Canada Post to avoid issues and noted that they were fortunate to have planned a shutdown till January. Meanwhile, montrealcycleparts raised their prices instead of closing down, acknowledging fewer sales but remaining flexible for future adjustments. thefruga-84 expressed admiration for wilsonharborsales's business success and shared hopes for a resolution so business can resume smoothly.
I am currently shutting down operations while the tariff thing gets sorted. There are 33,000+ items in my eBay store. We gross around $300k annually across all sales platforms.
There is too much uncertainty regarding compliance. S/S+ goods are tariff free if CUSMA compliant? A flat fee of $80-$200 per package? CoO rate + rate tariffs? Proof of origin documentation? Shipping bonds required for entry?
Chit Chats is already having their B.C. and Alberta trucks rejected over primary customer de minimis issues.
I am shipping today’s orders and shutting everything down until there is more clarity. If if my packages are compliant, well it doesn’t matter because so many others will not be, which means trucks will be rejected.
Everything can change in a heartbeat, so let’s wait and see. I do not want to get caught up in fines and shipping rejections, similar to January’s debacle.
Good luck to all! Remember that this is all outside of our control … try and enjoy the last bit of Summer!
4 comments
thefruga-84
·11 months agoI never got up to the gross sales that you’ve mentioned in your post but I had worked my way up to be on pace for about 50% of that this year.
I know it doesn’t mean a lot but you’ve definitely been an inspiration to an up and coming store in the same area as you.
I hope you continue to find success, and hope for all of our sakes that we get some level of reprieve from this hastily thrown together whirlwind of a change.
All the best to ya!
wilsonharborsales
OP11 months agoThank you, Fruga! Hang in there ... eventually they will come up with something and we will all get back to business!
byto253
·11 months agoI did last shipments today and did it through Canada Post to minimize the potential for truck turn backs or UPS wanting big fees paid on a return.
I was already planning to shut down until January but the timing ends up being very fortunate! I did push hard and moved out a lot of items the last month. Most were not at max price compared to grinding out a listing but not heavily discounted, and they still had healthy margins.
If I want to clear out stuff at heavily discounted prices, I will do that for Canadian buyers in the new year!
montrealcycleparts
·11 months ago