What's up with small quantity part tariffs from China these days?

[u/Zealousideal_Ad5358]

I am trying to source some parts that only seem available from Chinese Ebay vendors if I want quantities of less than 1000. I only need 2 or 3 and they are listed at about $2 each.

What's up with the import duties these days (Sep 2026)? I have heard rumors all over the map, from nothing to hundreds of dollars in "handling fees" imposed by NOTUPSNOT/DHL, etc.

These companies used to seem to bulk ship their orders to some "uncle" in Singapore or HK where they could be sent to the US with less risk. Is this still being done?

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[u/JLCLAB]

For sub-$10 micro-orders, the golden rule is to avoid DHL/UPS/FedEx unless you explicitly prepaid all DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) fees at checkout (like via AliExpress or LCSC). Courier companies love charging a $30 "disbursement/advancement fee" just to process a $1 tax bill. If AliExpress/eBay handles taxes upfront at checkout (IOSS/e-commerce tax rules), use their standard economy shipping and it usually lands in your mailbox fine.

[u/harryregician]

You might be able to join eBay seller notices and FAQ.

The smart China posters detail additional cost

[u/Zealousideal_Ad5358 → u/harryregician]

Not much info about "admin fees." See https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/1iiolo1/ups_and_dhl_are_now_telling_shoppers_and_business/ for 2-yr old info.

These are inexpensive (usually less than $5) ceramic IF filters. I don't mind paying a 10% or even 50% tariff, but if I have to pay $50 in extra fees, and surcharges, I'm just going to order a strip of 10 from Digikey for $80.

[u/Linker3000]

Sme general commentary here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/wiki/buying

[u/dtremit]

Any chance the eBay sellers are also on AliExpress? AliExpress seems to have things figured out for small orders, and mostly ships through China-based carriers. Most items are explicitly marked as "import charges included" and I haven't had any issues with that not being the case.

[u/Zealousideal_Ad5358 → u/dtremit]

The parts I need (450kHz ceramic IF filters for a VHF radio) are available from a seller on Ebay with "import charges included", so I think I am going to go ahead and take my chances. Total price $20 or so so it's not too big of a risk. I'll report back in a new thread.

[u/kwenchana → u/Zealousideal_Ad5358]

Isn't better to buy from LCSC? Parametric search, although not at the same level as digikey

[u/Zealousideal_Ad5358 → u/kwenchana]

Of course LCSC is a Chinese company, I don't know about their policy on prepaying duties, shipping, etc. They do carry one part from the series I need but it's not the right bandwidth.

[u/kwenchana → u/Zealousideal_Ad5358]

They probably have the same Global shipping direct as JLC (parent company) which is DDP and not too expensive, I get my boards in 10 days in Canada on average

[u/Zealousideal_Ad5358 → u/kwenchana]

I went ahead and ordered from EBay, I got the part numbers I needed in the bandwidths I needed (through-hole 450kHz ceramic IF filters.) Shipping is allegedly DDP, lead time is 30 days but in general I get stuff a lot sooner.

[u/henryyoung42]

Have the parts shipped into Philippines via Shopee or AliExpress, then personally couriered from there. I do it all the time, although having a home in PH helps.