Question 1

What should I expect when my order ships from Canada?

Accepted Answer

When a Radique order ships from Canada to the United States it passes through a standard customs clearance process. Since the permanent removal of the previous 800 USD de minimis threshold on August 29, 2025, every shipment is now subject to customs processing and potential duties, regardless of value. Although that means no shipment is duty-free anymore, the process itself is straightforward, and Radique can help choose shipping options that make the experience as smooth and affordable as possible based on what you are ordering and how it is sent.

Question 2

What fees will I need to pay?

Accepted Answer

Import charges for a shipment from Radique to the United States generally have three parts: government duties and tariffs determined by the product type and country of manufacture, a carrier brokerage fee charged by couriers such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL for handling customs paperwork, and a small U.S. customs processing surcharge. Brokerage fees from commercial couriers can be proportionally high on lower-value shipments, which is one reason Radique often recommends postal options paired with duty prepayment for certain products.

Question 3

What are the current tariff rates by country of manufacture?

Accepted Answer

As of April 2026, most vintage audio components manufactured in Japan, as well as many made in countries such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Korea, attract tariffs of roughly 10 percent whether they enter the United States via commercial courier or via the postal system. Canadian-made products and U.S.-made goods returning to the United States are generally duty-free under current trade agreements. China-origin items are more complex: copper-based cables face multiple layers of U.S. tariffs, including Section 122, Section 301, fentanyl-related surcharges, and Section 232 copper derivative surtaxes when shipped by commercial couriers, which together can exceed 70 percent of the shipment value. The same China-origin cables sent via the postal system are typically assessed at a flat rate of about 10 percent. Many China-origin connectors and electronics see combined courier tariffs in the 30 to 50 percent range, but about 10 percent via postal channels.

Question 4

Can you give me a real example?

Accepted Answer

For a vintage Japanese-made receiver sold for around 1,000 USD and shipped by UPS, a typical breakdown might include approximately 10 percent duty, or about 100 USD, plus a brokerage fee in the range of 35 to 50 USD and a small processing surcharge of 5 to 10 USD, leading to estimated total import costs of roughly 145 to 160 USD. By contrast, a 60 CAD Radique Audio cable shipped by UPS could incur stacked tariffs exceeding 70 percent of its value plus brokerage fees, easily adding 40 CAD or more in charges. The same cable sent by Canada Post with duties prepaid through Zonos would generally face a 10 percent tariff, modest Zonos service fees, and end up with roughly 8 to 9 CAD in total duties and fees. This is why postal plus Zonos is strongly recommended for cable-only orders.

Question 5

What is the Canada Post + Zonos option, and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

For many U.S. customers, especially those ordering Radique Audio cables and small accessories, the recommended option is Canada Post shipping combined with Zonos duty prepayment. At checkout, you select Canada Post as the shipping method and pay for shipping. Radique then sends a small follow-up invoice through Zonos that covers the flat 10 percent postal tariff on your order value plus a Zonos fee equal to 10 percent of that tariff amount and a fixed service charge. Once that invoice is paid, Radique ships your order via Canada Post with a Zonos declaration attached, and the package arrives in the United States fully duty-paid, with no surprise brokerage invoices or additional customs charges due on delivery.

Question 6

Can I still choose UPS shipping?

Accepted Answer

Yes. UPS and other commercial couriers remain good options for many orders, particularly when you are buying primarily vintage or used audio gear that is not China-origin, because the tariff rate is about 10 percent through any channel and brokerage fees are more reasonable relative to a higher-value shipment. UPS can also make sense when you are combining substantial vintage components with some Radique Audio products, since consolidating everything in one courier shipment may reduce overall shipping costs. However, UPS becomes expensive for orders that consist mainly of China-origin Radique Audio cables or certain small electronics, because stacked tariffs of 30 to 70 percent plus brokerage fees can add up quickly on low-value items. In those cases, Canada Post plus Zonos is usually more economical. If you are unsure, Radique is willing to run comparisons and recommend the most cost-effective option for your specific cart.

Question 7

Will I know my total landed cost before I commit?

Accepted Answer

Radique's goal is that U.S. customers always understand their total landed cost, including duties and fees, before they finalize an order. For shipments using Canada Post and Zonos, duties are calculated precisely in advance by Zonos, and the amount is paid before the parcel leaves Canada. For UPS shipments, Radique provides duty estimates based on current tariff schedules so buyers have a clear expectation before purchasing; the final figure is confirmed by U.S. customs at the border, but the estimates are typically very close.

Question 8

Do US customers get the same warranty and trade-back coverage?

Accepted Answer

U.S. customers receive the same Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty and access to Radique's Perpetual Trade-Back Program as Canadian buyers, subject to the usual product-specific terms. The main difference is that return shipping costs for warranty work are the responsibility of the customer, although Radique can often help arrange discounted prepaid labels using its carrier accounts. Once gear arrives back at the shop, it is handled under the same warranty and trade-back policies as any domestic purchase.

Question 9

Why buy from Radique despite these fees?

Accepted Answer

Although no one enjoys paying import duties, many U.S. buyers choose Radique because of what comes with the purchase: a formal Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty on vintage components, a Perpetual Trade-Back Program that protects their investment if they upgrade later, expert refurbishment and testing of each piece, and access to a large, carefully curated inventory that may be hard to find locally. Purchasing from Radique also supports a more sustainable approach to audio by keeping high-quality equipment in use and out of landfills. Import duties and carrier fees are paid to the U.S. government and shipping providers, not to Radique, and the shop works with customers to choose shipping methods that keep those extra costs as reasonable as possible.

Country of Manufacture	Via Commercial Courier (UPS/FedEx)	Via Canada Post (Postal)	Notes
Japan	~10%	~10%	Most of our vintage gear
Germany / France / UK / Korea	~10%	~10%	Occasional vintage European/Asian pieces
China — cables & copper products	~70%+ ⚠️	~10%	Section 122 + Section 301 + fentanyl tariff + Section 232 copper surtax — all stack!
China — connectors & electronics	~30–50%	~10%	Section 122 + Section 301 + fentanyl tariff (copper surtax may not apply)
Canada	0%	0%	USMCA-exempt (e.g. our cherrywood cabinets)
United States	0%	0%	US-made goods returning home are duty-free

US Customers — Understanding Import Tariffs

🌎 What should I expect when my order ships from Canada?

💰 What fees will I need to pay?

🌍 Current tariff rates by country of manufacture

📊 Can you give me a real example?

📦 What is the Canada Post + Zonos option, and how does it work?

🚚 Can I still choose UPS shipping?

💳 Will I know my total landed cost before I commit?

🛡️ Do US customers get the same warranty and trade-back coverage?

🎵 Why buy from Radique despite these fees?

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US Import Tariffs on Audio from Canada | Radique