Customs Classification & U.S. Import Charges (U.S. Customers)

This information applies to orders shipped to the United States.

All items sold through PERSONAL COMPUTER MARKET are exported with the correct customs classifications and country-of-origin information.

For clarity and transparency, this is how we declare our items for U.S. imports:

Vinyl records

HS: 8523.80
Country of origin: Czech Republic
U.S. tariff rate: 0% (duty-free)
U.S. HTS: 9903.01.31

Compact Discs (CDs)

HS: 8523.49.90.00
Country of origin: Varies
U.S. tariff rate: 0% (duty-free)
U.S. HTS: 9903.01.31

Apparel (T-shirts, hoodies)

HS: 6109.10
Country of origin: Varies
U.S. tariff rate: Varies by material and origin (commonly around 16–17%)

Bundles

Any bundle that includes a vinyl record is declared as vinyl for U.S. customs purposes. This is done as a courtesy to customers. However, as some bundles also include apparel or other items, we cannot guarantee how a shipment will be assessed by the carrier or U.S. customs authorities, and we cannot accept responsibility for any tariffs or fees applied as a result.

Brokerage & Handling Fees

In addition to any applicable duties or tariffs, shipping carriers may charge brokerage, handling or advancement fees for processing shipments through U.S. customs.

These fees are:

• Set and collected by the carrier, not by us
• Commonly charged by carriers such as UPS and Royal Mail
• Sometimes payable even when the tariff rate is 0% (if this happens, please refer to the information at the bottom of this page)*

Brokerage fees are not government tariffs and are often the reason customers see charges on otherwise duty-free items such as vinyl records and CDs.

Summary for U.S. Customers

• Vinyl records and CDs are duty-free, but may still incur carrier brokerage fees*
• In some cases, vinyl and CDs may be charged in error; we have classified these items correctly and any such charges are not the fault of PC Music
• Apparel may legitimately incur duties, depending on country of origin and material

We do not collect duties, tariffs or brokerage fees. All such charges are assessed by the shipping carrier and/or U.S. Customs and Border Protection once a shipment enters the United States, and we cannot alter or override them.

Refused Charges & Returned Parcels

If duties, tariffs or carrier fees are refused by the recipient and the order is returned to us, we reserve the right to refuse a refund. Any costs incurred as a result of a refused delivery (including return shipping or handling fees) may be deducted or charged accordingly.

If you are charged duty or handling fees on recorded music or non-tariffed items, or believe you have been charged incorrectly, please email percy@thedisc.info. You will receive an automated response with information on how to contact the relevant carrier directly, referencing the HS codes and tariff rates listed above. Customers must do this before refusing delivery.