How the Trade War Could Affect Your Business Book: 10 Questions Answered

You’ve invested in your business by creating a revenue-generating book that showcases your industry expertise. But now words like “tariffs” and “trade war” are getting thrown around. What does that mean for you as a professional indie author? To alleviate some of the uncertainty, here are the Top 10 questions we’re seeing surrounding books and the trade war.

1) What Are Tariffs?

Tariffs are a tax that are applied to products that are imported from another country. In the publishing world, “products” can be books as well as the supplies to make them: paper, ink, binding materials, even parts for printing presses.

2) Are Books Subject to Tariffs in the USA?

At the time of this writing, books themselves are currently exempt from tariffs in the US (this may be subject to change). But the supplies needed to print them are not part of this exemption.

3) What Supplies for Book Printing Are Imported into the USA?

The most common supplies to be imported are paper and printing press parts/equipment, primarily from Canada and the EU, respectively. 

4) Are Books Subject to Tariffs in Other Markets?

Yes, many nations (such as Canada and the EU) have announced retaliatory tariffs that may include books if they go forward.

5) Who Pays Tariffs?

The person or business who imports a product pays the tariff. For example, a printer who has to import supplies. This cost usually increases the final price for the consumer (e.g., the publisher, and eventually the reader).

6) My Books Are Printed in the USA. Will Costs to Print Go Up?

Yes. Because tariffs will have to be paid for many imported printing supplies, book printers’ costs are currently expected to rise.

7) I’m Not in the USA, But I Use an International Distributor (such as Ingram, Bookvault, or Amazon KDP). Can I Avoid Printing in the USA?

Not with Print-on-Demand distribution, no. Books are printed in the nearest available printing location to the retailer or customer that ordered it: if that is in the US, that is where the book is printed.

8) Has the Trade War Caused Publishing Delays (in printing, shipping, etc.)?

Not at this time. That may change as things progress, so if you’re planning a book launch this year, you wouldn’t be wrong to factor an extra week or two into your schedule, just in case.

9) Are Retail Prices for Books Expected to Rise?

Yes. Ultimately, expected increases to printing costs, shipping, and possible book tariffs (in markets where applicable) are expected to increase prices for books in the US and connected markets.

10) How Can I Stay Informed?

I have found the GHY Tariff Tracker useful to keep track of active vs. pending tariffs. And national authors associations (e.g., American Author’s Guild, Canadian Authors Association, the Society of Authors in the UK) are working hard to keep their local authors informed.

What book-related tariff questions do you have? Let us know in the comments below!