VAIO advertises 'tax-free' laptop prices for a limited time

The popular VAIO laptop brand was first introduced by Sony in 1996. After Sony exited the laptop industry about a decade ago, VAIO became an independent Japanese manufacturer, now majority owned by retailer Nojima. The company currently offers three different VAIO lines: SX, SX-R, and FS, in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes. Although their designs are not outstanding and they are not often found at major retailers, VAIO is getting attention from Costco, its US sales partner.

VAIO quảng cáo giá laptop 'miễn thuế' trong thời gian có hạn - Ảnh 1. — VAIO wants to exploit countervailing duty concerns to promote its laptop line

According to Tom's Hardware, VAIO has been sending emails to some customers promoting "tax-free inventory." While it doesn't go into details, this is clearly a response to Donald Trump's latest round of tariffs on most countries that supply goods to the US, which has led to a drop in stock prices and other economic indicators, dubbed the "2025 stock market crash."

VAIO laptop tax rate may be due to 'countervailing tax'

For VAIO, which makes all its models at a factory in Nagano, the tariff it faces is 24% because it is made in Japan. Tariffs of 34% on goods from China and 32% on goods from Taiwan could also apply to laptops in the US.

US begins collecting 10% tax, breaking global trade norms

In a best-case scenario, the price of VAIO’s cheapest laptop could jump from $1,100 to $1,364 if the company passes the cost on to retailers and consumers. For the SX-R model mentioned in the “tax-free” email, the starting price would jump from $2,200 to $2,728.

According to information from the VAIO website as of April 7, prices appear to have not changed much since January. It’s possible that VAIO is advertising prices for existing inventory in the US, which can be sold at current prices without being affected by tariffs. However, it will be several weeks before the new tariffs begin to impact finished goods.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vaio-quang-cao-gia-laptop-mien-thue-trong-thoi-gian-co-han-185250408225354261.htm