Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 5m

Thank you for your contribution

T. Someone trying to keep some sense of an attention span by purposely not using tik tok

So for once I can’t boost it outside of Bluesky

1

Reposted by @mslanimator

The Onion @theonion.com · 17m

Woman Tends To Do Best Creative Thinking When Backed Into Corner With Livelihood At Stake https://theonion.com/woman-tends-to-do-best-creative-thinking-when-backed-in-1851338274/

5 57 420

Reposted by @mslanimator

Joey @joezcafe.bsky.social · 41m

I made an EXPRESS version of my VOCALOID AI video, it's shorter, vertical, and you can find it on Tiktok.
vm.tiktok.com/ZNdnV1ej2/

2 5 8

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 44m

CHAINSAW MAN MOVIE TICKETS obtained!!!!

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 11h

Addendum: I had an order from TOM that I placed months before the tariffs were announced and the ship date is next month from the US warehouse. Per TOM, no additional tariffs or fees. They ship their US domestic orders with UPS ground so I am still a little worried

1

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 13h

The most AMERICAN vocal synth

1 1

Reposted by @mslanimator

GENC @genc.newgrounds.com · 1d

Grimm Sketch
[ twitch.tv/genczilla ]

17 800 2.7K

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 14h

CONGRATS!!! i will warn you though once you go you will want to go back again

1

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 14h

So yeah,,, tl;dr: if you're a decent spender, it's probably cheaper to just go to Japan and buy stuff in person and use your passport for tax free

I'm subscribed to some flight price trackers and there's been $507 and $498 roundtrip flights in Arizona to Tokyo for December. (The $507 is non-stop)

2

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 14h

I did a little more research, and it seems it's the surcharges that DHL charges.

mydhl.express.dhl/content/dam/...

mydhl.express.dhl

1

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 14h

Oh and for extra fun, check out pages 10 and 11 on the DHL Service Rate Guide for 2025. There runs the risk of paying surcharges for DHL in addition to the tariff. Prior to picking DHL, check to make sure your shipment doesn't risk these additional charges.

mydhl.express.dhl/content/dam/...

mydhl.express.dhl

1 1

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 14h

Versus what happened to my roommate
>pre-paid tariff with ECMS with the proxy through DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
>received bill from UPS for an additional brokerage fee

Basically had to pay 2-3 times versus 1 time.
He paid more in tariff and brokerage fees than the actual product and shipping

1 1

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 14h

See that's the scary part,,, DHL is the LEAST evil out of these companies. Because at least with DHL, the chances of additional fees being tacked on are slightly less because it's entirely DHL delivering the package. Of course I would not be surprised if DHL also adds extra fees in the DDP

1 1

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 14h

Overall, this personally makes me very hesitant to pre-order any figures/merch since any pre-order discount offered is immediately negated by the tariff fees, increased shipping costs, etc. Idk how this will look in the figure scene, but I would not be surprised if suddenly all upcoming releases bin

1 1

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 14h

Some hotels will also accept online orders that are delivered to you during your stay. It's definitely worth inquiring if your hotel accepts deliveries and what their protocol is. This way you can place orders on the flight and have it in your hotel

Conbinis also accept online orders too

1 2

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 14h

On the slight bright side for my vocal synth fanatics, tax free shopping is still a thing for purchases over 5000 yen. Bic Camera which sells boxed copies of vocal synths participates in this. They also have an extra discount depending on other category spends
japancoupons.com/coupon/bic-c...

Bic Camera Coupon: Tax-Free 10% + Up to 7% Off!

Find the best Bic Camera Coupon offering tax-free shopping and up to 17% off on electronics, cameras, gadgets, and more at Japan’s top electronics retailer!

japancoupons.com

1 2

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 14h

Anyways, as disgusting as this is, it only makes more sense to save up for an annual roundtrip vacation since at least then you can buy stuff in JPN directly. It's not a good situation for items with low MOQ and limited orders (*cough cough AHS Software Shop cough*) but it can't be helped for now

1 4

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 14h

If your package was already sent out via Japan Post prior to August 31st, when it arrives on US soil, so long as the final carrier is USPS, you will not be charged any tariffs since the original package was sent out prior to the tarrif implementation/end of de minimis

1 4

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 14h

On a final note: If you have any open pre-orders with US based retailers who utilize bulk sea shipping (i.e Tokyo Otaku Mode where your order is shipped from the US), I would send some messages to follow up and see who is paying the tariff fee, TOM? Or will they pass it on to the consumer?

2 5

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 15h

If you *have* to ship from Japan, it's best to use a shipping method that is direct and does not involve other shipping carriers. For now, that is DHL, but you will still have to pay tariffs, but at least you only pay it once pre-paid through the proxy service.

2 1 6

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 15h

At worst, it gets destroyed if the original seller does not pay the tariff/brokerage fees when its returned. You are then not eligible for a refund. In some cases, you also might be charged for return shipping
www.nbcnews.com/business/con...
Also, not paying these fees can impact your credit score

New tariff rules bring 'maximum chaos' as surprise charges hit consumers

The end of the de minimis exemption is wreaking havoc on U.S. consumers, small businesses and major carriers.

www.nbcnews.com

1 1 4

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 15h

UPS & FedEX are private shipping companies so they tack on these extra fees because they are the final broker delivery. This wasn't an issue before with de minimus in place, but since it's gone, these greedy companies want a slice of the profit.
Don't pay? At best, your package gets returned (cont)

1 1 5

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 15h

YOU DO NOT GET TO CHOOSE which company it gets handed off too,
If it goes to USPS: you most likely will not get additional charges/tariffs
If it goes to UPS: you WILL get charged additional brokerage fees and also "govt fees"
If it goes to FedEx, You will very likely get charged as well.
(cont)

1 1 7

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 15h

PSA FOR MY USA BUDDIES WHO BUY JP GOODS: A THREAD

Be VERY careful which shipping method you use for your proxy goods.
If you use ECMS, proxy companies will charge you the tariff, HOWEVER, once it gets in the US, it gets handed off to 1 of 3 shipping companies for the final delivery (cont)

1 27 27

@mslanimator @mslanimator.bsky.social · 16h

It’s from this card

projectsekai.fandom.com/wiki/A_Name_...

A Name Held Dear

projectsekai.fandom.com