[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-241382-105":53,"doc-detail-241382-en":126},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":119,"head_meta":121,"extra_data":123,"updated_unix":125},105,"en","understanding-tariffs-budgeting-and-customs-duty-guide","Understanding Tariffs - Budgeting and Customs Duty Guide","","A practical guide explaining what tariffs and related customs duties are, how they affect the total cost of importing foreign-made equipment, and why non-profit tax-exempt status does not change duty obligations. Covers common fees (tariffs, MPF, HMF, brokerage, and import taxes), rare exemption scenarios, and key terms such as HTS codes and country of origin. Includes actionable steps for PIs and researchers, plus strategies to reduce or eliminate tariff charges.",{"@graph":63,"@context":118},[64,80,101],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/understanding-tariffs-budgeting-and-customs-duty-guide/241382/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/understanding-tariffs-budgeting-and-customs-duty-guide/241382.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Putri","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-09","2026-09-12",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":20},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",{"@type":102,"mainEntity":103},"FAQPage",[104,110,114],{"name":105,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":107},"What is a tariff and why does it matter for imported equipment?","Question",{"text":108,"@type":109},"A tariff is a tax or duty imposed by a government on imported goods and services. Tariffs increase the final cost of foreign-made equipment, components, or materials, so they must be built into budgets.","Answer",{"name":111,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":112},"Does tax-exempt status (such as §501(c)(3)) exempt Lehigh from customs duties?",{"text":113,"@type":109},"Tax-exempt status exempts only federal income tax and, sometimes, state sales/use tax. Tariffs and customs duties are imposed under trade and customs laws, so tax-exempt status does not eliminate duties owed.",{"name":115,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":116},"What changed under the De Minimis exemption policy for foreign purchases?",{"text":117,"@type":109},"The De Minimis exemption is suspended under the new US policy effective 8/29/25, eliminating the prior $800 threshold for duty-free entry. As a result, every purchase of foreign-made goods is subject to applicable duties, taxes, and fees.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":120,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":122,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":124,"site_id":56},241382,1790863586,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":127},{"doc_id":124,"user_id":128,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":129,"doc_module":9,"category_id":40,"category_name":41,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":130,"file_id":131,"file_url":132,"file_type":133,"file_size":134,"view_count":20,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":8,"language":135,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":136,"faqs":137,"seo_title":138,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":139,"read_time":79},962085571259,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_29158cc5080c5b710cf443261637dec0","Understanding Tariffs  \nDate: February 2026  \nPlease note that the current US tariff situation may change. As such, please don't assume, for example, that the tariff code or tariff rate are the same as they were, say, last month. Please contact Purchasing Services with any questions.  \nWhat is a Tariff?  \nA tariff is essentially a tax or duty levied by a government on goods and services imported from another country.  \n• Impact: Tariffs increase the final cost of foreign-made equipment, components, or materials. This cost must be factored into your budget (including research grant budgets) as sellers/manufacturers typically seek to have buyers cover the costs of tariffs.  \n• Purpose: Tariffs are typically used to protect domestic industries or as a tool in international trade negotiations.  \nTariffs and Customs Duties Are Not Income Taxes  \nTax-exempt status (e.g., §501(c)(3)) only exempts Lehigh from:  \n• federal income tax  \n• sometimes state sales/use tax (depending on the state)  \nBut tariffs/customs duties are imposed under trade and customs laws, not tax laws.  \nSo tax-exempt status does not affect whether duties are owed.  \nWhat Lehigh Is Usually Responsible for When Importing Goods  \nLehigh typically must pay the fees below regardless of non-profit status:  \n• Customs duties (tariffs)  \n• Merchandise processing fees (MPF)  \n• Harbor maintenance fees (HMF)  \n• Brokerage fees  \n• Applicable import taxes such as excise taxes  \nExceptions (Rare)  \nLehigh may be exempt from duties only if a specific customs program applies, such as:  \n1. Duty-Free Entry Programs for Scientific Instruments – Tariff Schedule 9810  \n• Program 9810.00.90 allows certain educational/scientific equipment to enter duty-free.  \n• But eligibility requires:  \no The item is not produced in the US in the same form  \no Lehigh uses it strictly for research or educational purposes  \no A formal application to US Customs (CBP) via the Dept. of Commerce This is specific, limited, and paperwork-heavy.  \n2. Grants or federal programs that allow duty-free importation  \nRare and typically specific to government-funded scientific projects.  \n3. Goods with a tariff rate of zero  \nIf the product’s classification happens to have no duty, then you pay nothing—but that’s because of the code, not exemption status.  \nSpecific Info for PIs and Researchers  \nThe De Minimis Exemption is Suspended  \n\n| Term | New US Policy (Effective 8/29/25) | Impact on Your Purchase |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n\n\n| De Minimis Value | Suspended. The previous $800 threshold | Every purchase of foreign-made goods, regardless of |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n|  | for duty-free entry is eliminated for | value (even small, inexpensive components), is now |\n|  | virtually all commercial shipments. | subject to applicable duties, taxes, and fees. |\n\n\n| Customs\u003Cbr>Process | All commercial shipments now require a | The purchase will require more detailed paperwork and |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n|  | formal or informal customs entry and full | may incur customs broker fees and processing charges, |\n|  | payment of duties. | increasing the total cost and administrative burden. |\n\nKey Terms to Know  \n\n| Term |  | Definition |  | Impact on Your Purchase |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n\n\n| Duty |  | The actual tax amount paid. |  | Always applies to commercial imports after August 29, 2025. |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n\n\n| Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Code |  | A standardized, multi-digit numeric code that classifies the product (e.g., 9012.10 for microscopes) . |  | This code is now required for nearly all shipments to determine the specific tariff rate applied. Accuracy is critical. |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n\n\n| Country of Origin |  | Where the equipment was substantially manufactured. |  | Determines which specific tariff rates (which vary by country) apply. |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n\nActionable Steps  \n1. Budgeting: Always include an estimated duty/tariff cost and brokerage/processing fees in ","cbCaiapFyd0MWA8f","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiapFyd0MWA8f","pdf",4105288,"English","# What is a Tariff?\n## Impact and Purpose\n# Tariffs and Customs Duties Are Not Income Taxes\n# What Lehigh Is Usually Responsible for When Importing Goods\n## Exceptions (Rare)\n# Specific Info for PIs and Researchers\n## De Minimis Exemption Is Suspended\n# Key Terms to Know\n## Duty\n## Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Code\n## Country of Origin\n# Actionable Steps\n## Budgeting\n## Vendor Communication\n# Strategies To Reduce / Eliminate Tariff Charges","[{\"question\":\"What is a tariff and why does it matter for imported equipment?\",\"answer\":\"A tariff is a tax or duty imposed by a government on imported goods and services. Tariffs increase the final cost of foreign-made equipment, components, or materials, so they must be built into budgets.\"},{\"question\":\"Does tax-exempt status (such as §501(c)(3)) exempt Lehigh from customs duties?\",\"answer\":\"Tax-exempt status exempts only federal income tax and, sometimes, state sales/use tax. Tariffs and customs duties are imposed under trade and customs laws, so tax-exempt status does not eliminate duties owed.\"},{\"question\":\"What changed under the De Minimis exemption policy for foreign purchases?\",\"answer\":\"The De Minimis exemption is suspended under the new US policy effective 8/29/25, eliminating the prior $800 threshold for duty-free entry. As a result, every purchase of foreign-made goods is subject to applicable duties, taxes, and fees.\"}]","Understanding Tariffs - Budgeting and Customs Duty Guide | PDF",1789174444]