U.S. Tariff Frequently Asked Questions

Note: this information was last updated August 28, 2026.

• What are tariffs?

  A tariff is a tax imposed on goods when they are imported into a country. While the USMCA agreement between Mexico, Canada, and the United States has meant that shipments between the countries have been largely tariff-free, Section 232 and 338 tariffs still apply to Canadian-origin goods.

• Will tariffs be applied to my order?

  Zaber's core devices, as well as some accessories, are all made in Canada. These products are covered by the USMCA. However, certain tariffs still apply to some product types as illustrated in the table below:

  Product Types	Applicable Tariffs	Tariff Rate
  Microscopes and microscope specific stages, parts, and accessories	None	0%
  Motorized positioners with or without controllers	Section 232	15%
  Motion controllers without positioners, emergency stop kits, and X-Series shields	Section 338	50%
  Motors, with or without controllers (NMS, NMB)	None	0%
  X-SCA process controller	None	0%
  Grippers, cables, power supplies, parts, and accessories of Chinese-origin	Section 301	25%

  Please contact us if you have questions about tariff applicability for particular products.

• What tariffs should I expect for custom products?

  See the above chart for general product tariff applicability. Please contact us if you have questions about tariff applicability for specific custom products or systems.

• Who is responsible for paying tariffs?

  If tariffs are applicable, the Importer of Record (IOR) is the entity legally responsible for the payment of all applicable duties, taxes, and tariffs to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

  For products purchased from Zaber and shipping outside of Canada, the recipient of the goods is the consignee. Unless otherwise indicated, the consignee will be the IOR.

  Costs incurred during import, including tariffs, are not included in Zaber's prices or shipping fees.

• Who are tariffs paid to?

  When the U.S. government imposes tariffs, money collected ultimately becomes revenue for the U.S. government, though the tariffs may be collected by other entities.

• How long will tariffs last?

  We don't currently have insight on this given the evolving nature of the tariffs.

• When are tariffs billed, and who will bill me?

  The entity handling customs clearance, typically the carrier (e.g., FedEx, UPS) or a designated customs broker, will bill for any applicable tariffs. Depending on their processes, this may be billed prior to delivery, as a separate invoice after delivery, or charged directly to the recipient's shipping account.

• Will tariffs affect how long it will take to receive my items?

  We have seen delays in some cases as items pass through customs, especially on orders where individual accessories are ordered (accessory kits generally do not cause delays).

  Section 232 tariffs are most often responsible for causing delays. However, carriers have now refined their processes for dealing with this regulation.

  Zaber actively monitors customer shipments. If the carrier is unable to reach you (the importer) for necessary import details, Zaber will contact you to assist with clearing the shipment. If you are seeing a delay on your order, please feel free to contact us for more information.

• Can I cancel or delay my order?

  If you have a current order, please contact us to discuss options.

• If I return products under the 30-day guarantee, will the tariffs be refunded?

  As of now, it appears that there will be no reimbursements for tariffs on goods temporarily imported.

• Will tariffs be applied to products returned for repairs or changes?

  Any repaired item that qualifies for preferential treatment under USMCA will still be exempt from import duty and taxes; however, the cost or value of any repair or alteration will likely still be subject to any applicable tariffs.

• Will tariffs be applied for a free, demo, or evaluation order?

  Canadian-origin goods that qualify for preferential treatment under USMCA will still be exempt from import duty and taxes, as well as Section 301 tariffs. Section 232 and Section 338 tariffs may still apply to free, demo, or evaluation orders.

  We will continue to include the documentation to claim USMCA with all shipments to the United States. Free items, evaluations, and demo orders that contain goods subject to the Section 232, 301, or 338 tariffs will likely still have the tariffs applied.

• Where are Zaber's products made?

  Zaber's core devices, along with some accessories, are all made in Canada. Other accessories, notably many of our power supplies and cables, are manufactured in other countries, including China. If you have a question about the country of origin for a specific product, please contact us.