Archive · 1 Dec 2025
UK Businesses Face US Tariffs for Market Access
Some British businesses are selling their products in the US, but it's getting harder because of new taxes and rules.
Anna Worthington, who works for a British barbershop company called Ruffians, is trying to sell their grooming products in the US through stores like Nordstrom and Amazon.
She's keeping the prices low, but it might not make a profit.
The US is a big market, so it's worth the trouble.
Other companies, like Pinter and ETO, are also selling in the US.
They have to deal with higher costs and more paperwork, but they think it's important to keep selling there.
The British government has a deal with the US to lower some taxes, but it's not enough yet.
Some businesses are passing the extra costs to their customers, while others are making changes to keep selling in the US.
British businesses face new US tariffs and customs duties when selling in the US market.
Ruffians, a British barbershop chain, is selling grooming products in the US through Nordstrom and Amazon, keeping prices low despite potential losses.
Pinter, a company making home beer brewing machines, has seen a tenfold increase in sales since entering the US market in early 2024.
ETO, a wine decanter company, paused shipments during the US-Chinese trade war and had to adjust their sales approach after the end of the de minimis exemption.
British businesses are willing to absorb higher costs and uncertainty to maintain access to the US consumer market.
- Who
- British business owners and their US customers
- What
- Impact of US tariffs on British small businesses
- When
- Ongoing, with recent changes in 2024
- Where
- United States and United Kingdom
- Why
- To maintain access to the US consumer market
- Ruffians
- British barbershop chain selling grooming products in the US
- Nordstrom
- US retailer selling Ruffians products online
- Amazon
- Online platform selling Ruffians products
- Pinter
- Company making home beer brewing machines
- ETO
- Company making wine decanters
- Michelle Ovens
- CEO of Small Business Britain
- Lucy Monks
- Director of international affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses
- Anna Worthington
- Product director of Ruffians
- Ralph Broadbent
- Co-founder of Pinter
- Dina Jahina
- Co-founder of ETO