How Discogs Can Protect Vinyl Buyers and Sellers from Trump’s Tariffs

Threat: A Recap

In my previous article, Trump's Impact on the worldwide vinyl record market  I explored how Trump’s proposed 10% tariff on imported vinyl records could disrupt the vinyl music industry. 

Things to consider are:

• 80% of vinyl is pressed overseas (EU, Japan, etc.), and the world would now face new costs.
• Independent sellers on platforms like Discogs may need to raise prices or exit the market.
• Buyers could see rare records become prohibitively more expensive.

But what can Discogs — the world’s largest vinyl marketplace — do to help its customers?

Well, here are 5 actionable solutions that could help.

1. Lead Industry Lobbying Efforts - Why?

1. "In 2019, the U.S. government exempted vinyl records from China tariffs (Federal Register, Vol. 84, p. 28724)—a decision that followed lobbying by the RIAA and indie coalitions, who argued the fees would cripple small businesses (RIAA, 2023) - https://www.riaa.com/reports/2023-annual-report/. (*(See "Policy Wins" section).

2.  Partner with Vinyl  Alliance or  Making Vinyl to petition the U.S. Trade Representative.

3.  Mobilize its 10 Million+ + user base to sign petitions or contact Congress.

2. Educate Sellers on Cost Mitigation

Discogs could publish a “Tariff Survival Guide” with:
1. Bulk shipping discounts (to offset per-unit costs)
2. Alternative pressing plants (e.g., U.S. options like Third Man)
3. Tax loopholes (e.g., importing “unfinished” records to avoid tariffs)

For Example:

*“A seller shipping 100 records from Germany could save $200+ by using consolidated freight.”*

3. Adjust Platform Economics

Short-term fixes that Discogs could put forward:

• Reduce seller fees on imported vinyl (temporarily).
• Negotiate shipping deals with DHL  or  FedEx for cross-border sales.
• Highlight tariff-free items (used records, U.S.-pressed vinyl) in search results.

Data Point:
Used vinyl accounts for 60% of Discogs’ sales—a natural buffer against new-record tariffs.

4. Transparency Tools for Buyers

Buyers hate surprise fees. Discogs could 

Add a tariff calculator at checkout for imports.

Flagging items that are likely to incur tariffs (e.g., *“+10% fees may apply”*).

“This builds trust and reduces cart abandonment.”

5. Promote Tariff-Resistant Inventory

Algorithm tweaks which could:

• Boost used vinyl in recommendations.
• Create a “U.S.-Pressed Vinyl” filter to support domestic production.

Fun Fact:
The U.S. vinyl market grew by 21% in 2023—tariffs could stall this momentum.

Why Discogs Must Act Now

With 50 million records cataloged, Discogs isn’t just a marketplace—it’s the central nervous system of vinyl music culture.

Proactive steps could:

• Protect small sellers from bankruptcy.
• Keep buyers engaged despite price hikes.
• Solidify Discogs’ role as an industry leader.

6. Why Discogs Won’t (and Shouldn’t) Launch Its Own Shipping Service

A Reality Check After Reading Discogs’ Shipping Policy Article

Discogs’ 30 October 2020 article Shipping Policies: Myths Dispelled makes their position clear: They refuse to manage shipping directly, calling it “sellers’ responsibility.” But with tariffs poised to inflate costs, is this hands-off approach sustainable? Let’s dissect their reasoning—and explore better compromises.

Discogs’ Current Shipping Policy: Key Takeaways

1. No Platform-Wide Shipping Rules
   • Sellers set their rates and carriers (USPS, DHL, etc.).
   • Discogs claims this “preserves flexibility” for small sellers.
2. No Plans for a “Discogs Shipping Service”
   • They explicitly state: “We don’t ship items for sellers.”
   • Reason cited: “Logistics are not our expertise.”
3. Limited Tools for Buyers
   • No built-in tariff calculators or shipping discounts.

The Tariff Problem They’re Ignoring

While Discogs defends the status quo, 

Trump’s tariffs expose their flaws:

• Sellers face 10 %+ cost hikes on imports but can’t easily adjust prices (buyers flee).
• No bulk shipping discounts to offset tariffs, unlike Amazon/Etsy.
• Buyers get sticker shock at checkout when tariffs hit.

A Better Middle Ground

Instead of a full shipping service (which Discogs rightly calls “unrealistic”), here’s what they could do:

1. Partner With “Vinyl-Friendly” Carriers

• Negotiate discounted bulk rates with Whiplash Mailers or DHL for sellers shipping 50+ records/month.
• Example:

“Discogs sellers in Germany could save 15% on U.S. shipments via a DHL partnership.”

2. Add Tariff Transparency Tools

• Auto-calculate tariffs at checkout based on item origin.
• Flag listings: *“+10% U.S. import fees may apply.”*

3. Lobby for Vinyl Shipping Subsidies

• Join the  Universal  Postal  Union to advocate for fairer vinyl postage rates globally.

Why This Works

• Respects Discogs’ “We Don’t Ship” Policy: No operational overhaul needed.
• Addresses Tariff Pain Points: Directly tackles sellers’ rising costs.
• Uses Existing Infrastructure: Partnerships require minimal engineering.

The Bottom Line

In my opinion, Discogs is right:

Building a mail service would be cost-prohibitive and off-mission.

But hiding behind “seller responsibility” as tariffs loom is a gamble. Strategic partnerships and transparency tools could protect their ecosystem without playing FedEx.

Call to Action:
“Should Discogs broker shipping deals for sellers?

Vote in our poll situated below!

Please  CONTACT ME   here if you want to discuss anything mentioned in this article.

“This article provides general information, not legal/tax advice whatsoever. If you need advice on any tax regulations, please check and consult your local organizations and regulations".