Tariffs + The Creative Industry
Updated weekly

In the ever-changing environment, NAMTA is committed to keeping its membership informed and up to date on the tariff situation. It is undeniable that our industry, like many others, is experiencing significant impacts from the tariffs. While NAMTA cannot guarantee any specific outcomes, taking no action guarantees that nothing will change.

This page will be regularly updated with key information, opportunities for involvement, rate updates, resources, and more.

If there is a resource you believe should be included here, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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NEED TO KNOW

Tariffs are typically paid by the importer of record—usually you or your business—when goods arrive at a U.S. port of entry. In most cases, tariffs must be paid before your shipment is released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Here’s how it works:

  • Your customs broker or freight forwarder will calculate the tariff owed based on the product’s HTS code and declared value.
  • They’ll submit the required forms and pay the tariff on your behalf (using your account or charging you directly).
  • Tariff payments are submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) electronically via their Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system.
  • You’ll receive a customs entry summary (Form 7501) confirming the amount paid.

RESOURCES

US Customs Border Patrol
Provides an electronic archive of Customs Bulletin and Decisions. Archive contains a weekly compilation of decisions, rulings, regulations, notices, and abstracts concerning customs and related matters of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and U.S. Court of International Trade.

Bloomberg Report
A vetted resource for up-to-date tariff information. This is a subscription-based resource, if you’re interested you can sign up for a subscription here

Bloomberg reported News summary as of 9/2/25 at 2:00 PM:

  • A federal appeals court ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing global tariffs through an emergency law, but let the levies stay in place while the case proceeds.
  • The court said the statute used by Trump to impose the tariffs does not explicitly include the power to impose tariffs, duties, or taxes, and that Congress did not delegate tariff power to the President in the law.
  • The decision extends the suspense over whether Trump's tariffs will ultimately stand, with the administration potentially turning to the Supreme Court for a final ruling or letting the Court of International Trade revisit the matter first.
  • The European Union has adopted draft regulations to remove all tariffs on US industrial goods and give preferential treatment to some US agricultural and seafood products.
  • The EU expects the US to lower its tariffs on European cars and auto parts to 15% from 27.5%, with the lower rate on cars starting retroactively from Aug. 1.
  • The European Parliament and member states will have to approve the regulations, and the EU may need to reassess its trade arrangement if the US follows through on threats to impose tariffs and other penalties on countries that tax online services.

ACTION ITEMS

It is undeniable that our industry, like many others, is experiencing significant impacts from the tariffs. While NAMTA cannot guarantee any specific outcomes, taking no action guarantees that nothing will change. If you are looking for ways to have your voice heard and protect your interests, please see the options below:

  • Cards for Congress: Initiative with instructions and talking points to communicate with your elected officials.
  • Share HTS Codes: Via Spellbinders, NAMTA will be collecting HTS Codes + engaging lobbyists to pursue tariff exemptions, similar to our recent success with the Cadmium Minnesota Ban. Please share your HTS codes for inclusion in this effort by September 5th.

Share HTS Codes

*Please Note: When submitting tariff codes, please avoid those beginning with 99, such as 9903.01.63, as these represent temporary additional tariffs and are not sufficient on their own. Instead, ensure you provide the correct underlying tariff code, typically starting between 24–98 (e.g., 3209.10.0000), which covers most non-food items. Codes beginning with 1–24 are reserved for food products and are generally outside the scope of these efforts. Providing only a 99 code will not meet requirements.

NAMTA CONNECT X TARIFFS

On August 7th, NAMTA hosted a panel discussion featuring industry leaders who shared their experiences from a recent advocacy trip to Washington, D.C. During this trip, they met with 18 congressional offices to raise awareness about the real-world impact tariffs are having on arts and crafts businesses.

While NAMTA Connect recordings are typically limited to The Studio, we felt this important content should be accessible to all. This recording is now available to view and will be updated as additional meetings occur.