Linus Tech Tips Discussion

 US Customs Allegedly Confiscating Retro Tech Summary A new US executive order is cracking down on e-waste to encourage more electronics recycling stateside and cut back reliance on Chinese rare earth minerals, but as a consequence collectors buying and selling vintage tech online or traveling through customs are noticing their shipments failing to pass US Customs.   Quotes Quote Last month, Donald Trump signed a new order to restrict shipping and exporting of e-waste in attempts to limit China’s influence on rare minerals. One of the key points of contention in the White House’s trade war is Chinese access to resources like tungsten and lithium, which are commonplace in consumer electronics. Since Trump’s latest order, collectors are sending out warning flares that items being shipped out of the States could be mulched.   My thoughts A lot of folks in the retro community (especially Vintage Computer Federation) are spreading awareness and highly encouraging people to stop buying any hardware from overseas until this order is rescinded. CRTs are especially vulnerable.   Sources https://kotaku.com/trumps-new-e-waste-policy-has-vintage-tech-collectors-anxious-theyll-be-caught-in-the-crossfire-2000722706   https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-orders-restrictions-export-critical-minerals-scrap-white-house-officials-2026-07-30/   https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/usa-import-export-of-electronics-a-warning-to-those-buying-and-selling-as-of-august-2026.1258636/#post-1514815