Smith Blade U.S. Tariff FAQ

Smith Blade U.S. Tariff FAQ

This FAQ explains the U.S. import tariff that applies to eligible Smith Blade orders shipping to the United States, why it applies, and the shipment options available once your Smith Blade is built and ready to ship.

Your Shipping Options

Once your Smith Blade is built and ready to ship, you may choose one of the following:

1. Pre-pay the tariff and use our U.S. supply chain: Pay the tariff invoice in advance and we will ship your order Delivered Duty Paid. This avoids additional charges at your door, but delivery may take approximately 3–4 weeks.
2. Ship directly from Canada: Your order can ship immediately, but you will be responsible for paying the applicable tariff and any carrier processing or transaction fees when requested by the courier.
   
   These options will be made available in an invoice email sent to you before your order is shipped.

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Why am I being charged a U.S. import tariff?

A required U.S. import tariff applies to eligible Smith Blade orders shipping to the United States.

Effective August 29, 2025, the United States suspended duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments from all countries. Previously, many imported shipments valued at USD $800 or less could enter the United States without applicable import duties or tariffs.

Imported products are now subject to any duties and tariffs that apply to their product classification, even when the shipment is valued at less than USD $800.

The Smith Blade contains more than 15% steel by weight and is subject to current U.S. tariff rules for certain steel products and steel derivative products under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

What was the $800 de minimis exemption?

The de minimis exemption previously allowed many shipments valued at USD $800 or less to enter the United States without applicable duties or tariffs.

Effective August 29, 2025, duty-free de minimis treatment was suspended for low-value shipments from all countries. This means that being valued below USD $800 no longer automatically protects an imported shipment from applicable duties and tariffs.

Why doesn’t USMCA exempt the Smith Blade from this tariff?

The Smith Blade STANDARD 14-in-1 and PRO 21-in-1 are manufactured in Canada and qualify under CUSMA/USMCA, the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement.

USMCA normally allows qualifying Canadian-made goods to enter the United States without the ordinary duties commonly associated with products manufactured outside North America.

However, the current U.S. Section 232 measures for certain steel and aluminum products operate separately from the usual USMCA preferential treatment. Because the Smith Blade contains more than 15% steel by weight, the applicable U.S. import tariff still applies.

Is a tariff a Hacksmith fee?

No. This is not a Hacksmith fee, a price increase, an optional add-on, or a sales tax.

This is a U.S. government import charge. Hacksmith does not retain the tariff payment. It is remitted to the U.S. government through the import and courier process.

I already paid sales tax. Why do I still have to pay this?

Sales tax and import tariffs are separate charges. Even if sales tax was already paid on your order, U.S. import tariffs may still apply when the product is imported into the United States.

How is the tariff amount calculated?

The current tariff is calculated at 25% of the retail value of each eligible unfulfilled Smith Blade in your order.

The tariff applies to the full retail value of the eligible product, not only to the value of the steel contained in the product.

For example, the tariff on a Smith Blade Pro with a retail value of USD $249 is USD $62.25.

Why is Hacksmith asking me to choose a shipping option?

Your Smith Blade is built and ready to ship. However, we need to know how you would like the applicable U.S. import tariff and related import process to be handled before we send it.

We are asking you to choose in advance so that you understand the potential cost, delivery timeline, and carrier fees associated with each option. This also helps prevent an unexpected charge or cash-on-delivery bill at your door.

What is Option 1: Pre-pay the tariff?

Under Option 1, you pay the attached tariff invoice and we ship your Smith Blade through our U.S. supply chain using a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) process.

This means the tariff is handled before final delivery. You should not receive an additional tariff or cash-on-delivery bill at your door for the tariff covered by the invoice.

By collecting these tariff payments in advance, we can consolidate eligible U.S. shipments and absorb the carrier handling fee ourselves. You pay the required 25% tariff without the separate carrier transaction or brokerage fee described under the direct-shipment option.

For a Smith Blade Pro with a retail value of USD $249, the tariff payment would be USD $62.25.

Because of the additional logistics required to import the consolidated shipment and then ship each order domestically, delivery through this option may take approximately 3–4 weeks.

What is Option 2: Direct shipment from Canada?

Under Option 2, your completed Smith Blade can ship directly from Canada without waiting for it to move through our consolidated U.S. supply chain.

You will be responsible for paying all applicable duties, tariffs, and carrier processing or transaction fees directly to the courier when requested.

Couriers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL may charge an additional processing, brokerage, or transaction fee. These fees may be approximately USD $20–$30 per shipment, depending on the courier and shipment.

For a Smith Blade Pro with a retail value of USD $249, the estimated charges would be:

• Tariff: USD $62.25
• Estimated courier transaction fee: Up to approximately USD $30
• Estimated amount paid through the courier: Up to approximately USD $92.25

To choose direct shipment from Canada, reply to your tariff invoice email and tell our customer support team that you accept responsibility for paying the applicable import charges and courier fees.

How does pre-paying the tariff save me money?

When a package is shipped directly from Canada, the courier may collect the tariff from you and charge an additional processing, brokerage, or transaction fee.

These additional courier fees may be approximately USD $20–$30 per shipment.

By pre-paying the tariff and using our consolidated U.S. supply chain, Hacksmith absorbs the carrier handling cost. You pay the required tariff shown on your invoice without the separate courier processing or transaction fee.

Will I be charged anything at the door if I pre-pay?

Your Smith Blade will be shipped through our U.S. supply chain using a Delivered Duty Paid process. The applicable tariff covered by your invoice will be handled before final delivery, and you should not receive an additional tariff or courier transaction fee at your door for that shipment.

Does pre-paying lock in the current tariff rate?

Paying the invoice allows us to proceed using the current applicable tariff rate of 25%. Tariff rules and rates may change in the future, so the required amount could be different if your order remains on hold and is imported at a later date.

Can I wait before choosing an option?

Yes. If you are not ready to pre-pay the tariff or request direct shipment from Canada, your order can remain on hold.

If we do not receive payment or a reply within 10 business days, your order will automatically be placed on hold.

Your order will not be cancelled. You can contact customer support at any time to reactivate it, request direct shipment from Canada, or pay the applicable tariff invoice.

What happens if I do nothing?

If we do not receive payment or a reply within 10 business days, your order will automatically be placed on hold.

Your order will not be cancelled. To reactivate it, you will need to contact customer support and either request direct shipment from Canada or pay the applicable tariff invoice.

Could the tariff amount change if I wait?

Yes. U.S. tariff rules and rates may change in the future. If you choose to wait, the tariff amount required when your order is eventually imported could decrease, remain the same, or increase.

Did I agree to pay applicable duties and tariffs?

Yes. When you completed your Kickstarter order confirmation survey on Hacksmith.store, you agreed to pay all applicable duties, taxes, and tariffs imposed by the country of import. This is also outlined in our Shipping Policy.

Can I cancel my Smith Blade order for a refund?

Smith Blade orders that are customized cannot be cancelled or refunded. Customized orders include orders with laser engraving, tritium vial add-ons, or blade modifications.

If your order has not yet been manufactured or customized, customer support may review whether store credit can be given if you decide to cancel your order. 

For more information, visit our Smith Blade Campaign FAQ.

What happens if I refuse the shipment or do not pay the carrier?

Please choose direct shipment from Canada only if you are prepared to pay the applicable import charges and carrier fees when requested.

If the charges are refused or left unpaid after the shipment has entered the courier process, the carrier may abandon, return, or dispose of the package according to its procedures.

If the package is abandoned or disposed of, Hacksmith may be unable to recover the item or issue a refund. Refused, abandoned, or unpaid shipments are subject to our Shipping Policy and Return, Refund & Exchange Policy.

What if my order contains multiple Smith Blades?

The tariff invoice is calculated using the retail value and unfulfilled quantity of each eligible Smith Blade in your order. The amount shown on your invoice may therefore be higher if your order contains more than one eligible Smith Blade.

Why was the tariff added only to my unfulfilled Smith Blade items?

The tariff charge applies only to eligible Smith Blade units that have not yet been fulfilled and still need to be imported into the United States. Items that have already been fulfilled are not included in the tariff invoice.

Who should I contact if I have questions?

If you have questions about the tariff charge, your shipping options, the amount shown on your invoice, or the status of your order, please reply directly to your tariff invoice email. Our customer support team will be happy to help.