04/19/2025
Dear Pressing Business friends and customers, a note on the tariff situation.
You may have heard that international trade and tariffs are now a heated topic in global business and political discourse today (I'm kidding - I know you're well aware). It certainly has been a concern of ours, especially since the April 2 reciprocal tariff Presidential order. We've been digging through the avalanche of information following the announcement to ascertain the impact on our business, particularly on vinyl records and compact discs.
The rebirth of vinyl records has been a source of great joy for us and is one of the reasons that Andy, Fred, and I started Pressing Business four and a half years ago. There was great new music being that "needed to be" released on high-quality vinyl records (and CD and streaming...) and vast libraries of music waiting to be reissued on 'wax'. and of course, the backlog for records during covid was huge.
The supply chain for vinyl records and physical media in general is now global. Most products are produced in one country and then exported globally. High tariffs on these products would have a devastating impact and possibly put the growth of vinyl records into reverse. And not just U.S. tariffs - a global trade war that included vinyl records, CDs, books, magazines, films, and so on - would be a giant step backward for not only commerce but culture, too.
The media products, including vinyl phonograph records, compact discs, and Blu-rays, that Pressing Business manufactures in Europe are not subject to any U.S. tariffs, including the new reciprocal tariffs, when imported into the U.S.
Why are media products exempt? It's a free speech issue directly related to our First Amendment rights. Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, I believe all of us treasure our First Amendment rights to free speech and expression. Musical expression certainly is and should continue to be protected.
The Berman Amendment, enacted by Congress in 1988, restricts the President's authority to regulate or prohibit the import or export of informational materials under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA).
This amendment, named after Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) protects the free flow of information and ideas, ensuring Americans can receive information regardless of its origin [Section 4604 (50 U.S.C. § 1702(b)(3)] and without regard to commercial or non-commercial status.
We are pleased to be able to import your vinyl, cds, cassettes and more at the same prices with no additional tariffs.
Keep making music!
