As a merchandising chief officer for one of Amazon’s largest sellers, Owen Carr knew that the presidents of bridge he commanded in a Chinese factory in early April cost him more than ever. This is because the chairs, which normally go for $ 79 on Amazon, were among the first Chinese imports subject to a minimum price 145% – a high rate Imposed by President Donald Trump– When they arrived in a port of Seattle at the end of April. “I paid more to customs than to the factory for the property itself,” explains Carr. “Mind Afngeling.”
Now, his company, Spreetail, is part of a close class of importers asking if the Trump administration could reimburse. On May 12, Trump reached a 90 -day trade war truce with China, reducing the minimum prices of China to only 30%. The higher rate was barely one month from April 10 to May 14. “We thought there would be an agreement, but we didn’t think it would be so fast and so low,” said Carr.
A handful of commercial lawyers who spoke with Wired say that they told customers that the reimbursements are unprecedented and unlikely – but not impossible. Companies that had to pay the higher rate believe that they were unjustly taken in Trump’s hasty negotiations. “There is still a chance” of reimbursements, explains Michael Roll, partner of Roll & Harris. “I wouldn’t say there is hope. I would not bet on it. ”
Trump, the Congress or the Courts should authorize a new exemption from prices so that companies are taken in the trade agreement against reimbursements to become a reality. Lawyers say their customers have put pressure on the Trump administration and legislators for exemptions, including retroactive measures that would result in money. It is not a frivolous demand. Companies that manufacture cars, fries and medicines have been spared from other pricing policies.
Customs and protection of American borders, which administer prices and exemptions, have not responded to a request for comments on the possibility of reimbursements.
Trump considers its commercial policies as crucial to increase manufacturing and gain power over China. But its movements are starting to erode prices and the selection of products for a long time for American consumers, According to detail data and experts. Giving merchants 115% who paid the higher rate rate would help avoid new price increases and allow them to stay afloat if Trump is renewing pricing hikes, according to lawyers. “For all businesses except the most profitable and most important, it has been devastating,” said Ron Oleynik, partner of the Holland & Knight law firm.
Paying higher prices, even once, can have long -term consequences for small companies, according to lawyers. American rules require importers to have a deposit – effective insurance – so that the government can claim at least certain business funds that flout the law and do not pay what they owe. The level of insurance required is determined by the total tariff payments of a company in the last 12 months; As the coverage requirements increase, the overall costs of the obligation also have it. “I heard that it will kill us if we have to increase our links,” explains Oleynik.
“Dollars back”
Companies such as Spreetail recognized the risks of importing goods after Trump imposed a rate of 125% on Chinese imports last month. Many companies have decided Against placing new orders, and others quickly interrupted the expeditions that were underway. But Carr says that Spreetail wanted to support its suppliers, who could have otherwise had to close the factories while the orders tumbled. He was also convinced that he could increase enough prices for new imports to come financially.
Spreetail ended up paying high prices on bridge presidents and around 200 other products out of the 20,000 IT imports, including razor scooters, EV load chargers and sterilitis boxes, says Carr. He paid rates up to 190% after taking into account specific prices in articles. “We will not be able to recover these dollars,” adds Carr, perhaps resigned to the limited perspective of reimbursements.
