Navigating Tariffs with OptiFuse
At OptiFuse, the story of cost fluctuations is one of managing uncertainty—doing our best to protect our bottom line while ensuring that we maintain competitive pricing for our customers.
While it’s tempting to focus on the macroeconomic implications or broader political factors influencing these changes, today, we’re dealing with the immediate question: What do we do right now? The answer isn’t simple. In fact, it’s incredibly complex, involving a mix of short-term strategy and long-term planning, especially given our diverse catalog of over 5,000 SKUs, each with a different supply chain.
What is clear, however, is that in the short term, managing tariffs is less about how we’re going to deal with the cost increases, and more about how we’ll manage the uncertainty that surrounds it.
Our focus is on transparency, and we want to be open about how these tariff surcharges will impact our pricing and the steps we’ve taken to manage these changes. For us, this means adding tariff surcharges to the price of our products that are directly affected by the new tariffs.
Our transportation and electronic products will be subject to a 5.5% surcharge.
As for our industrial products, we are carefully tracking the tariff situation, and any surcharges will be implemented based on the ongoing shifts in regulatory and market conditions.
For detailed information on products affected by the new tariffs, please contact your sales representative or write to us at [email protected].
As we move forward, we have outlined the following approach to ensure fairness and clarity for our customers:
- We will not add any tariff surcharges to current pricing for open orders supported by current inventory.
- We will not add any tariff surcharges to current pricing for products currently in our inventory until June 1st (subject to change).
- We will add a tariff surcharge to any open orders that are not currently in our inventory (inbound product that is subject to tariff charges).
- We will add a tariff surcharge to any new orders for parts that are not currently in our inventory.
The challenge is not just navigating tariffs today but ensuring that we’re ready for whatever the future brings, which is why our approach remains flexible, strategic, and focused on minimizing disruption.
What products are impacted by the new tariffs?
The new tariffs apply to all our products coming from China, Taiwan, and Indonesia. The surcharge will vary depending on the country of origin and the specific product.
Where can I see the specific surcharge of a product?
For detailed information on products affected by the new tariffs, please contact your sales representative or write to us at [email protected].
Will tariff surcharges be applied to existing open orders?
The application of tariff surcharges depends on whether the order can be supported by current inventory. If the product is in our inventory, no surcharge will be applied. However, if the product is not currently in our inventory (in production or inbound), a tariff surcharge will be added.
What about products in your inventory?
We will not apply any tariff surcharges to products already in our inventory until June 1st (subject to change). This will be on a “first come, first served” basis. Check our Stock Levels page to see what we currently have in stock.
Will new orders be affected by tariff surcharges?
Yes, any new orders for parts that are not currently in our inventory will include tariff surcharges. However, if the new order is for products already in our inventory, no tariff surcharge will be applied until June 1st (subject to change).
Can I avoid tariff surcharges by ordering products that are currently in stock?
Yes, ordering products that are currently in our inventory will ensure that no tariff surcharge is applied, as long as the inventory is available and the order is placed before June 1st (subject to change). Check our Stock Levels page to see what we currently have in stock.
How long will the tariff surcharges last?
The duration of the tariff surcharges will depend on ongoing changes in tariffs and supply chain conditions. We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep our customers updated.
Will these surcharges apply to international shipments as well?
Yes, the tariff surcharges will apply to all products affected by the new tariffs, including those being shipped internationally. Please contact our customer service team for specific details on international orders.
How will tariff surcharges be billed?
The tariff surcharges will be added to your invoice along with the product costs and any applicable taxes or shipping fees. You will see the surcharge clearly itemized on your invoice.
I have a Tax-Exempt document, why am I being charged a tariff?
Tax Exemption documents apply to state-level sales taxes, not federal tariffs.