N-Possible Coupler Announcement (Nashville 2022)

[crrcoal]

Otter Valley also stopped USA shipments

[C855B]

I'm not panicking at this point. This whole import/export situation is going to resolve... eventually. Not casting aspersions (...just gentle ribbing...) we waited three years for this wonderful product to make it to market, so what are a few more months?

[Mark5]

Personally, it is frustrating watching folks experiment with something I can't get my hands on. It isn't the end of the world, as I haven't built the layout room yet (probably end of year soonest), but I would like to have some to test out on my own.

We now return control of your television set to you ... 

[ridinshotgun]

I'm not panicking at this point. This whole import/export situation is going to resolve... eventually. Not casting aspersions (...just gentle ribbing...) we waited three years for this wonderful product to make it to market, so what are a few more months?

The de minimus exemption is not going away.  That is here to stay and even congress included its removal in the Big Beautiful Bill to be done by 2027. Even the previous administration was pushing for removal of it in certain circumstances.

https://www.wiley.law/alert-Biden-Administration-Announces-Changes-to-De-Minimis-Trade-Exemptions-to-Address-Unfair-and-Unsafe-Imports-into-the-United-States

We are about the only country to have such a high de minimus.  And while just about most countries collect the duties at time of entry we decided to put the onus on the shippers since neither USPS or CBP has the manpower or electronic systems to collect and track the duties due to the sheer number of postal shipments.

While there are some private services that can be utilized to do the required collection and tracking their services have to be engaged by the foreign postal services. That allow the shippers to create online accounts to submit the required tariff codes and submit the resulting tariff that is due. While some shippers may go that route if the foreign postal services implement it I see many shippers just deciding the juice isn’t worth the squeeze for the extra effort. As case in point a discussion I had with OVR indicated that very line of thinking.

[C855B]

There's got to be a way, such as a dealer/wholesaler contracting with Andrew for sufficient quantities to meet thresholds.

I clearly haven't delved into the gory details like you have, all I know is the overall situation is beyond vile and we only have ourselves to blame for allowing it to get this way.

[ednadolski]

Not to be dismissive of anything/anyone, but perhaps we could continue the tariff talks in one of those threads?   Just saying, it would be nice if this thread remained focused on the couplers, so that in the future (after this tariff stuff has subsided) we won't have to scroll thru a string of those in order to find interesting info about the couplers themselves.

Thanks,
Ed

[turbowhiz]

The good news is the US will have a reliable supply of couplers shortly!

I have all my CUSMA ducks in a row to finally start shipping to US dealers, along with a respectable inventory buffer of packaged product on hand. Shipping will happen next week.

A&S Trains will be at the Altoona N scale weekend in a couple of weeks with product. If you’re keen to pick up N-Possible couplers in Altoona, reach out to them (https://aandstrains.com/) and give them an idea as to what you might be looking for. That way they can judge how much stock above and beyond an initial dealer minimum they might want to consider. Regrettably I’m not able to attend this year myself. (You can blame @Ed Kapuscinski  No Ed? No go!)

I’ll also be shipping to Midwest and Pioneer trains. I’ll be reaching out over the next few weeks to other dealers that have expressed interest in the past as well.

For Canadians on the west coast, InterCity Hobbies and Trains is also onboard, their initial order is on the way.

Unfortunately, even if the product is CUSMA compliant the postal service is no longer a viable option for shipping, or at least not a if you don’t want to pay egregious taxes. At this point direct bulk orders which I was sending via the postal service to the USA are suspended. I should be able to ship those in the same fashion as the dealer orders going forward via Courier, but the documentation for commercial invoices is a pain especially with the bulk orders, so it will take me a bit to get that setup. Regrettably costs will be higher as well. [Just for clarity, direct bulk orders to anywhere else I can send via Canada Post are still available]

Lastly, for those in the Toronto area or willing to make a road trip, I will be at the Credit Valley for their Anniversary event on Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th between 1-3 PM. If you’re in the area drop by and say hi!

Andrew

[C855B]

That is fantastic, Andrew. Ducks all in their rows. Standing by!

[Jimbo]

For those of us who live (reasonably) close to the Canadian border… do we Americans still have an $800 personal exemption when re-entering the US from Canada?  I’m not aware of any changes there, and shudder to think how customs and border patrol would be able to deal with that.

I’m only a couple hour drive from Credit Valley.  I’ve made longer drives for less.

-Jim

[MK]

For those of us who live (reasonably) close to the Canadian border… do we Americans still have an $800 personal exemption when re-entering the US from Canada?  I’m not aware of any changes there, and shudder to think how customs and border patrol would be able to deal with that.

I’m only a couple hour drive from Credit Valley.  I’ve made longer drives for less.

-Jim

Good question and I've been trying to find an answer as I will be heading over to Japan and planning to buy a TON of stuff, more so than usual due to the current tariff situation.  Last year I was there I bought $600+ due to their lower prices and the strong dollar.

I did read a blip on the AP News(?) somewhere that the $800 is being reduced to $200 (per person) which would really really suck given today's prices/inflation.  HOWEVER, every website, including US Customs, still says $800 is the personal exemption per person when bringing in things from travel.

I think it's still one of those "Don't ask the quesiton if you don't want to hear the answer" situation.

[sschnabl]

@turbowhiz:  any chance you will be at Trainfest in Milwaukee in November? 


Scott

[ridinshotgun]

For those of us who live (reasonably) close to the Canadian border… do we Americans still have an $800 personal exemption when re-entering the US from Canada?  I’m not aware of any changes there, and shudder to think how customs and border patrol would be able to deal with that.

I’m only a couple hour drive from Credit Valley.  I’ve made longer drives for less.

-Jim

Yes for the time being the $800 exemption is still a go. Just make sure to declare what you have since if they find you not declaring commercially procured items without declaring the exemption go bye bye.

And sorry to harsh the reality but the discontinuation of the de minimus is directly affecting the availability of these couplers and it is a separate issue from the whole tariff war. It isn’t going to just blow over as some think, so it will continue to limit availability on this side of the border until a reliable source on this side of the border an be established. And I don’t mean for one or two sirs in a pack. Bulk supply is needed and desired as is plainly evident in this thread.

[garethashenden]

The way that the de minimus will “blow over” is that the software that calculates shipping costs will also calculate import duties so that it can all be collected at the point of sale. But that takes both time and stable rules.

[lock4244]

Yes for the time being the $800 exemption is still a go. Just make sure to declare what you have since if they find you not declaring commercially procured items without declaring the exemption go bye bye.

Good news. I'll be in Toronto for a week starting Wednesday and will be bringing home a lot of Jalapeno Cheddar Doritos, Coppa's spaghetti sauce, Custard Powder, and Coffee Crisp! And if Credit Valley has any N-Possible couplers I'll grab a few of those as well.

[Scottl]

It's crazy how things have reversed.  I have a mailbox in Montana to deal with the long-standing nonsense from Canadian customs and sellers that won't ship internationally.  But now I find myself on the right side of the border for unobtainium  .