Devon-based Black Scorpion Miniatures has announced the temporary suspension of shipping to the United States, falling foul of a new twist in the imposition of US tariffs.
Their announcement, in all probability, foreshadows similar decisions by other UK firms in coming days.
As widely reported, new US Tariffs, which are 10% for UK, have to be paid by US customers on all imports. However, only now has it been made clear that the US wants this collected at the point of sale. Any orders, regardless of value sent without having the Tariff pre paid will be subject to a flat fee in the US to the buyer of a staggering $80 – $200 to receive their parcel.
Black Scorpion Miniatures is hoping the suspension of delivery will be temporary.
“Whilst we hope to soon have a pre paid option no postal company was really ready for this and there aren’t clear options yet on how to do it,” they say. “Royal Mail says they will have a system in place, though it’s short on details.”
The new tariff system starts on 29th August 2025 and it seems any order arriving by that date will be subject to the charge.
“We’ve suspended shipping to the USA during this intermediate time between the official start, whilst we search for information and have a clear system in place.
“When and if we do unfortunately all US customers will then be subject to a 10% tariff on all orders. The only small piece of good news is 10% is one of lowest they’ve implemented.
“Once we resume, we’ll be sure to keep you updated.”
Black Scorpion Miniatures was founded in September 2005 by Adam Clarke, who sculpts and paints all the miniatures. He previously worked for Games Workshop as a miniatures sculptor. Whilst setting up Black Scorpion, he also worked for Privateer Press, Reaper and many others.
• Check out their creations at blackscorpionminiatures.com
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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