With the recent escalation in United States tariff conditions, global trade is starting to slow down as companies around the world are working out how to manage their business for American customers — and the first big impact to Star Trek memorabilia collectors has arrived.
One-sixth-scale Star Trek action figure company EXO-6 — whose manufacturing facility is based in China — announced today that due to the Trump administration’s new tariff policies, they have suspended all shipments to the United States until more clarity is available on the future of US import requirements.
Back on April 11, the company said:
“De minimis” imports were anything under $800 and weren’t subject to US import fees. All orders placed on EXO-6’s website counted and were not taxed on entering the US. Starting May 2, 2025 small shipments that once qualified for de minimis will be taxed at 120% of cost or $100 (whichever is more), with a planned increase to $200 after June 1.
Eliminating the de minimis exemption means effectively raising taxes on American consumers and dramatically increasing shipping times. This makes the final cost to US out of reach. We do not know what will happen tomorrow, but for now our operations will be greatly curtailed.
Here’s today’s new announcement, released through EXO-6’s email and social media channels this afternoon:
Effective May 2, 2025, the U.S. will enforce a new tax rule for packages from China or Hong Kong, charging 120% of the declared value or $100 (whichever is higher), increasing to $200 on June 1.
While [carriers] SFExpress and ChinaPost believe fees will apply after delivery, implementation details remain uncertain. EXO-6 has suspended shipments to U.S. addresses as of April 20 and will not resume until courier companies and U.S. Customs clarify procedures, ensuring it is reasonable to proceed.
[EXO-6 has] figures available for preorder or immediate purchase, for territories that are not the US. If a US customer places an order, that order will be held until more favorable tariff conditions are in place.
For any Star Trek memorabilia company, excluding the United States from fulfillments is a daunting choice — as the US is, of course, the home of Star Trek and the majority of the franchise’s fan base — so for EXO-6 to make this kind of decision, it certainly could not have been an easy one to make.
On his own personal Facebook page, EXO-6 owner/president Nanjim Tam clarified that EXO-6 “is NOT canceling any orders… whatever [items that have been] preordered are in production.”
He also explained:
We were trying to avoid the possibilities of US customers losing their money. Why? Pay $240 for a figure. Then hit with a $200 tariff bill. Pay, then you spent $440 for something that only worth $240. Don’t pay, then you lose your $240.
We arrange tight shipment scheduling and cancel shipments to US now all because of the protecting YOU! […] It is the US Government who’s doing this to the entire world. Not me, not EXO-6, not shipping companies, and surely not your favorite collectible merchants.
Please point your fingers at the correct direction. We, the collectible merchants are the casualties.
We’ll continue to bring you updates on the state of the Star Trek collectables market as the tariff situation develops.
Keep checking back to TrekCore for the latest in Star Trek news.