Prototype The world most flexible SFF case? LOUQE Ghost S1

[Bangle]

Louqe is based out of Sweden, the USA has zero authority over Sweden based companies which have no business presence in the USA.

Tariffs are applied to imports and are applied to those who import the products attracting the tariffs. In this case it will be the individuals who live in the USA who have purchased the case, if the tariffs are applicable to the case and are collected by US Customs.

I think we should ask Louqe in Q&A coming soon. They may have a US based subsidiary for tax purposes, and for shipping in bulk, and posting through Amazon (i think they are using them for internal US shipping - according to their shipping email). I think if they are importing under this subsidiary, then the subsidiary is liable for the tariff? If so, it would be up to Louqe on whether to pass on the cost to the customer. I'm no tax expert by any means, but i think thats how it works. I would be surprise if they pass on any additional costs for the 1st batch, but who knows for the 2nd.

It doesn't take a lot to set up a subsidiary in another country, if you intend to be shipping alot of items into said country. Amazon probably require you to have one.

 

[Curvas]

The shipping fee originally took €46.00, about $53, so I live in mainland China, where the cases will get shipped, usually a case with a package like this wont even charge more than $20, sad.

 

[Nanook]

If the country of origin is China, and it is coming to USA, there will be tariffs. The tariffs could be as high as 25%.

Josh is correct that raw materials will be charged tariffs, but the cost of the manufactured good entering the US will also be subjected to tariffs. Tooling, if paid for outright as opposed to amortized, is subjected to tariffs too.

Large scale production is more impacted as they are less nimble in securing new material and manufacturing sources than smaller scale companies.

 

[leecm]

It would definitely be pretty frustrating if we have to cover additional costs of the tariff because Louqe was months behind their delivery schedule. These tariffs didn't go into effect until late September. We were supposed to have these cases way before that, so it kind of adds insult to injury. I guess it's just another price you may have to pay for backing a kickstarter.

 

[Nanook]

That’s definitely the point of contention with these delays. I think Louqe will weigh whether to give the option to charge more, cancel, or to eat the cost. Given the demand of this popular case, they might give the option to cancel... bad PR in any case.

 

[leecm]

Yeah, I was one of the quiet backers that accepted and to a degree understood the delays. I've been looking forward to finally getting this case, but if I have to pay anything extra because of the tariff, I will likely cancel. I may consider splitting the additional cost with Louqe, but we'll see if that will even be an option.

Edit - After thinking about this, it's possible that Louqe could just give everyone the finger and ship the cases and let us deal with customs. Probably the easiest way for Louqe to wash their hands of the situation, but it wouldn't do them any favors in the PR department.

I guess the speculation is a waste of time. We will see what they say in tomorrow's Q&A session.

 

[Chrip]

If we have to bear the brunt of the 25% tariff that could mean 50-65USD out of pocket.

 

[Hifihedgehog]

If the country of origin is China, and it is coming to USA, there will be tariffs. The tariffs could be as high as 25%.

Josh is correct that raw materials will be charged tariffs, but the cost of the manufactured good entering the US will also be subjected to tariffs. Tooling, if paid for outright as opposed to amortized, is subjected to tariffs too.

Large scale production is more impacted as they are less nimble in securing new material and manufacturing sources than smaller scale companies.

My understanding, per this infograph at least, was that cases were exempted but I have not delved yet into the tariff legalese so I could be sorely mistaken.

 

[tinyitx]

According to this article in LegitReviews, PC Chassis is included in the tariff (10% from 9/2018 to end of year, then jump to 25% by 1/2019). This is the list that came into effective on 24/09/2018.

http://www.legitreviews.com/your-pc-components-are-getting-more-expensive-thanks-to-tariffs_208027

 

[Longbow072]

If anyone ends up unable to cancel if not given the option who is in the US, I will gladly buy your case, specifically if you ordered it with a large top hat.

 

[Hifihedgehog]

You are totally right! They updated the list more recently to include cases. Gamers Nexus shows the same thing with an official statement from Gigabyte.
https://www.gamersnexus.net/industry/3368-manufacturers-on-tariff-impact-to-pc-prices


This is definitely an awful short term predicament for us SFFers. But I guess like they say: no pain, no gain?

 

[tinyitx]

This is definitely an awful short term predicament for us SFFers. But I guess like they say: no pain, no gain?

This trade war might not be as short term as one hopes. Some (perhaps many) experts expect this to last for years.

A side note:- So far, I , being in China, do not have any ill effect felt (yet). Actually, I have benefitted a little. Last month, I enjoyed a whole month of cheap American cherries (!) which were rushed to local market to avoid local import tariff. The supply was so much and abundant that prices dropped significantly.

 

[Chrip]

25% more after Jan 1 2019? Louqe yall better get these cases out before then. No way in hell I'm paying an additional 25%

 

[Bangle]

25% more after Jan 1 2019? Louqe yall better get these cases out before then. No way in hell I'm paying an additional 25%

As NFC said, this is cost of materials. The metal is a minimal cost. Most of the cost is in machining and labour. I doubt the price will increase by 50 Euros.

 

[SeeFiFo]

As NFC said, this is cost of materials. The metal is a minimal cost. Most of the cost is in machining and labour. I doubt the price will increase by 50 Euros.

As I understand it, the tariffs wouldn't apply only to the materials contained, but to the entire case as a product (if manufactured in China). If this is correct, as I believe it is, then there's a 10% tariff right now and an additional 15% on January 1st, so yes, there would be a 25% total increase by then.

If it was manufactured in the US, and only the materials (i.e. metals) were imported from China, then the tariffs would only apply to the materials. This is perhaps what NFC is referring to?

 

[Nanook]

As NFC said, this is cost of materials. The metal is a minimal cost. Most of the cost is in machining and labour. I doubt the price will increase by 50 Euros.

Tariff is on the cost of the finished goods. Josh was only partially correct.

 

[Bangle]

Tariff is on the cost of the finished goods. Josh was only partially correct.

Ok understood.

 

[brt02]

The Q&A finished about an hour ago,

Louqe are handling customs charges
Ash cases are ready and packed
The other colours need to be re-anodised. Will take about a week. Should start shipping from 11th October.
All cases regardless of colour will be shipped together

 

[deadline]

Bottom-mounted 120 mm AIO. Not in a top hat, but Dan A4 style. Would that be possible, you reckon?

 

[Chrip]

The Q&A finished about an hour ago,

Louqe are handling customs charges
Ash cases are ready and packed
The other colours need to be re-anodised. Will take about a week. Should start shipping from 11th October.
All cases regardless of colour will be shipped together

Thats great news!!