Tariffs - we have to discuss the elephant in the room

[Tom]

I want to make sure everyone saw our announcement about tariffs: https://www.motionrc.com/pages/tariffs

***EDIT - INFORMATION UPDATED 8/22/2025 with new tariff information***

The point of this thread is to share some important information regarding tariffs and upcoming changes to the pricing of our products in the USA.

I don't want this to turn into a political discussion. Please feel free to ask questions and please keep any discussion civilized.

There is some question about who pays the tariff. As any shipment from outside the USA arrives in the USA, the shipment passes through US Customs. When this happens, US Customs will send Motion RC an invoice to pay the tariff.

As you may know, we are committed to offering high-quality hobby products at fair prices. However, due to recent changes in tariffs, we find ourselves facing unavoidable price increases. Unfortunately, we must adjust our prices accordingly to continue offering the same level of quality, service, and selection that you’ve come to expect from us.

This decision was not made lightly, and we understand that price increases are never welcome news. Please know that we are working diligently to minimize the impact on you, our valued customers, while still maintaining the quality of the products and services that make our hobby enjoyable.

********** UPDATED INFO *********
We have been phasing in new prices as items subject to tariff have been arriving. At this point (August 22nd) many items at Motion RC have updated pricing. The amount varies by product and manufacturer as some manufacturers have helped to adjust pricing but most have not. The 20% tariff on Nexa and Black Horse items from Vietnam was implemented by the US government recently. This means we had a slight price increase on Nexa and Black Horse as new items arrived. All hobby goods from China are now subject to a total 54% tariff with 24% of that suspended until November 10th 2025 (keeping the current effective tariff rate 30% for both the prior 90 days and the next 90 days). We hope cooler heads come to some sort of agreement. We've had many shipments arrive subject to the 30% China tariff. Many of those prices have been adjusted accordingly. Going forward, our prices will continue to be adjusted in response to changes in tariffs—whether those tariffs increase or decrease. We want to ensure that we’re transparent with you and that you remain informed as these factors evolve.

We encourage you to take advantage of current pricing, as we remain dedicated to supporting your hobby needs.

We truly appreciate your continued support and loyalty. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are always here to assist you and provide any help and information you may need.

Thank you for being a part of our community, and we look forward to continuing to serve you.

[JDill]

Thanks Tom, appreciate the info. Elephant is the appropriate word, some very heavy tariffs/taxes on most far east countries, like Vietnam!!! It's a shame for our hobby as NONE of the products are ever going to be made in the US.

[Evan D]

He specifically said not Nexa and Blackhorse which are Vietnamese.

Thanks Tom, appreciate the info. Elephant is the appropriate word, some very heavy tariffs/taxes on most far east countries, like Vietnam!!! It's a shame for our hobby as NONE of the products are ever going to be made in the US.

[Tom]

He specifically said not Nexa and Blackhorse which are Vietnamese.

I'm going to update my original post. A lot changed as of the announcement yesterday in the rose garden at the white house. Vietnam will have a 46% tariff starting April 5th / April 9th. That means Nexa and Black Horse are now subject to tariff.

[Tom]

Update for today

Good(ish) news - The 46% tariff on Nexa and Black Horse was paused for the next 90 days making Nexa and Black Horse subject to a 10% universal tariff for the next 90 days without any additional tariff.
Bad news - It appears another tariff was added to hobby items from China as of today, April 9th, bringing the total tariff to 125%

[Randy H]

Thanks for the update Tom. No doubt Motion will have no choice to pass on 125% tariff on a lot of their products. This will possibly price many of us out of buying from Motion in the near future. I wish it would all stop but China will not back off looks like things could get uglier. Sad

[Elbee]

China is isolated, IMHO.

Most of the rest of the world seeks trade and tariff deals.

The stock market shot back up, 3K, estimates = 5.5 trillion.

This is what the beginning of 'fair trade' policy looks like.

It's gonna hurt, but not forever.

Respectfully, Steve

[Elbee]

What were the US trade deficit numbers during 'GW's' presidency?

Globalization was inevitable at that point in history, but as we have witnessed for the past 30+ years, those trade policies were mismanaged across every administration since.

Yes, from a consumer standpoint "When a good or service is produced at lower cost in another country, it makes sense to import it rather than to produce it domestically".

I believe we've been on a sugar-high of inexpensive goods for decades, not a bad thing, but not healthy either.

However, that is not what tariffs are about or ever have been.

Wasn't it Ross Perot who coined the phrase and I paraphrase, 'that giant sucking sound is US manufacturing leaving?

History proved him correct.

I like inexpensive goods as much as the next guy regardless of its' origin and I would still pay more for a equivalent or better US manufactured product if it were offered.

We in our hobby are a niche' market and I am happy to have the opportunity to buy as inexpensively as possible.

I do not believe many of the aircraft, boats, cars, tanks, etc we enjoy could be made here at a price I'd be comfortable paying.

However, all the core products for the manufacturing industry, example: steel, lumber, electronics, and manpower could and should be of US origin.

Fair trade is not zero sum, it's not all or nothing, and it certainly should not be confused with free trade.

We can have our cake and eat it too, Chinese manufactured hobby stuff and US Steel, autos, chips, etc.

Respectfully, Steve

[Tom]

I made one more edit. The 125% tariff on China announced yesterday was in addition to the 20% tariff added in Feb and March. This brings the total tariff on items for our hobby from China to 145%. We've paused shipments for now because we know nobody will pay a retail price that is double current prices. We'd be stuck paying a six figure tariff on every container imported and nobody would see the value at those prices. For now, we are in a holding pattern in the USA. Hopefully this will not go on too long. In our EU location, we are proceeding as normal since everything is business as usual there.

[quitcherbitchen]

Corporate greed caused the trade deficit. Consumers had no choice in reality. My business is facility supplies and we learned quick that Chinese (Asian imports)products we cheap and less quality then domestic and most of the industry stayed away from it the last 10 years but there are still customers who buy junk product with supply chain issues. I complained to my suppliers as to why move the factory to China. The real idiots are the American companies that traded their knowledge and money to make China a 51% shareholder in the Chinese factories they set up. Effectively giving away their businesses to a foreign investor. Do tariffs help now? Perhaps, but the train already left the station a decade and a half ago. No solution once you train your competition how to do what you did right. Everything is made in China so good luck with finding a local source or product. Some things will have to be imported now. We can’t afford to make the factory all over again I think this trade war is a diversion to what might be more sinister than just sword rattling. What’s the administration doing with its left hand? That is more important.

[rifleman_btx]

Seen the deal struck for now to drop down to 30%.

[Tom]

The 30% tariff on China was effective as of May 14th (yesterday). Unfortunately, the 30% tariff will cause Motion RC retail prices to rise but it is a lot better than 145%. Currently, we are updating retail prices as items arrive. Most of our containers were subject to the 20% tariff so we will likely need to raise some prices a bit more as shipments subject to the 30% tariff arrive. So far we've had one shipment at 30% and have raised those prices accordingly.

[DCORSAIR]

Foam is sure getting expensive that's for sure......

[Tom]

I added some updated info in my first post. I'll continue to add updates as the situation changes.

[Evan D]

Thank you for letting us know Tom. I was pleasantly surprised at the price of the Ares when I ordered it yesterday.