There is an exemption to certain tariffs imposed by President Trump under authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The law is 50 USC 1702(b), which exempts from duty the following:
information or informational materials, including but not limited to, publications, films, posters, phonograph records, photographs, microfilms, microfiche, tapes, compact disks, CD ROMs, artworks, and news wire feeds.
https://greatlakescustomslaw.com/trump-tariff-exemption-ieepa-and-50-usc-1702b3/
and this:
One of our trade organisations, the BPI, has looked in detail at the tariff regime and has provided us with an important update on the (non) application of tariffs to CDs and Vinyl entering the US.
CDs and Vinyl Records ARE EXEMPT from US Tariffs
This stems from a piece of US law which exempts 'informational material' from tariffs. See guidance here. The relevant paragraph under the listed exceptions is:
9903.01.31: Articles that are informational materials, including but not limited to, publications, films, posters, phonograph records, photographs, microfilms, microfiche, tapes, compact disks, CD ROMs, artworks, and news wire feeds.
and this re UK:
EXEMPTION FOR CDS AND VINYL:
BPI has been working closely with international partners and the UK Government to seek clarity on the status of physical music products.
We now have seen US Customs and Border guidance which specifies that 'informational material' (which includes phonographs and CDs) is exempt, with a secondary tariff code applied.
Exception 9903.01.31 reads as follows:
Articles that are informational materials, including but not limited to, publications, films, posters, phonograph records, photographs, microfilms, microfiche, tapes, compact disks, CD ROMs, artworks, and news wire feeds.
We are awaiting further clarification regarding CDs and vinyl if they originate from China. However, it is clear from the existing information that items such as merchandise and electronic equipment used in the recording/production of sound recordings are not exempt.
