Phones and computer parts exempt from US tariffs


Last updated

At the beginning of April, the Trump administration slapped a 54% tariff on imported Chinese goods. The result for Singaporean consumers was an iPhone that could increase as much as 43%. That’s $2,715 for an iPhone Pro Max that currently retails for $1,899. In the last week, the Trump administration has increased this tariff to a whopping 145%. Fortunately, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced some exemptions. These include:

  • Mobile phones 

  • Laptops

  • Hard drives and data storage devices

  • Flat-screen displays like computer monitors

  • Wi-Fi routers

  • Computer parts like processors, memory chips, and semiconductors 

Unfortunately, the exemptions on consumer electronics are only a temporary reprieve. Trump maintains that they will eventually move into a ‘different tariff bucket’, which means you could still end up paying through the nose to upgrade your PC. Even though consumer electronics are currently exempt from Trump’s sky-high tariffs, Singaporeans aren’t in the clear just yet. Though they may not cop the effects of a 145% tariff, an overall increase in costs could still be on the horizon.

Save on your phone plan

Compare plans from 17 phone companies. Start now.


Compare phones and plans from the following carriers...

  • Singtel
    Advertisement
  • ZYM Mobile
  • SIMBA
    Advertisement
  • VIVIFI
  • Eight
    Advertisement
  • StarHub
    Advertisement
  • M1
    Advertisement
  • CMLink
    Advertisement
  • MyRepublic
    Advertisement
  • GOMO
    Advertisement
  • redONE
    Advertisement
  • Maxx
  • Circles.Life
  • Changi Mobile
  • Giga
    Advertisement
  • WhizComms
  • Zero1
    Advertisement