K-WAV dvLED and the April 2025 Tariff Clarification: What You Need to Know
- Doug Wack
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
On April 11, 2025, the White House released a clarification to Executive Order 14257, offering an update to the reciprocal tariffs imposed on Chinese imports earlier this month. While much of the coverage around this announcement has focused on the macroeconomic implications, I want to speak directly to our partners—particularly those in the ProAV dealer channel—about what this means for your business, your current projects, and your end clients. Below you will find our lates in dvLED tariff updates, which will further clarify the approach we have taken as well.
Having spent more than a decade living and working in China, I’ve learned that trade relationships, especially those involving high-visibility industries like ours, are rarely as straightforward as they seem on paper. Policy often moves faster than infrastructure, and clarity typically comes in layers. This latest update is a perfect example of that dynamic.
In the weeks since the initial announcement of reciprocal tariffs, the question I’ve heard most often from our dealers is simple: “Will this impact my dvLED project?” And for good reason. The initial rate of 145% sparked real concern across the ProAV space, especially among those who rely on Chinese manufacturing to deliver projects on time and within budget.
Here’s what we now know.
K-WAV Product Classification Is Exempt Under Executive Order 14257
The April 11th clarification confirms that the specific product classification under which K-WAV dvLED is imported is exempt from the new reciprocal tariff structure.
That means:
• No new duties apply to qualifying shipments imported on or after April 5, 2025.
• Any duties that may have been temporarily collected since that date are eligible for refund through U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
We are coordinating with our logistics and customs teams to ensure that all eligible imports are documented properly and any recoverable duties are processed. This is not just about compliance—it’s about maintaining the financial predictability our partners count on.
A Note on the Existing 20% Tariff
It’s important to note that this exemption only applies to the new reciprocal tariffs implemented under Executive Order 14257. It does not affect the existing 20% tariff imposed in February 2025 under a separate national security-related measure. That tariff remains in effect for now, and we continue to build it into our cost structure and guidance for our dealers.
From the start of this policy cycle, K-WAV has taken a “wait and see” approach—a phrase I’ve used intentionally and repeatedly. In a fluid environment like this, clarity doesn’t always come in the first wave of policy language. It often comes in the form of amendments, clarifications, or procedural updates like the one we just received.
What This Means for Our ProAV Dealers
For our partners in the channel, this clarification means your current and upcoming projects with K-WAV remain stable from both a pricing and supply chain perspective. We’re not changing our pricing model as a result of this tariff structure, and we don’t anticipate any disruptions to our shipping timelines.
This also means you don’t need to explain away any sudden cost shifts or delays to your clients. That kind of consistency is increasingly rare in this environment, and I encourage you to use it as a talking point in your client communications: “K-WAV is unaffected by the latest tariffs, and our product pricing and availability remain unchanged.”
To support that message, we’ve prepared a lightweight FTI (For Their Information) insert—a prewritten message you can forward to your clients, summarizing the news in a clear, non-technical tone. We’ve removed all references to classification codes or policy nuance so it’s easy to communicate without triggering deeper questions or uncertainty. If you haven’t received that insert yet, let us know and we’ll send it immediately.
Why We’re Careful With Language
You may notice that we haven’t made sweeping statements about “dvLED” as a class being exempt—only that K-WAV dvLED products are exempt under the classification we use. That is intentional. Different manufacturers may use different HTS codes to import similar products, and not all of them may fall under this exemption.
This is one of the reasons we don’t recommend attempting to reclassify product midstream without legal and compliance oversight. The HTS system is nuanced, and small details can have major implications. We’ve invested heavily in ensuring our classifications are consistent, defensible, and appropriate.
For our dealers, what matters is this: You can continue to quote and sell K-WAV dvLED with confidence. Our product remains competitively priced, available on schedule, and unaffected by the new tariff environment. And we’re handling the policy side of things so you don’t have to.
Navigating Forward
We expect that trade policy will remain volatile in the months ahead. New clarifications, challenges, and adjustments are likely, and that’s okay.
Our position hasn’t changed:
• We take a project-by-project approach when evaluating supply risk and pricing alignment.
• We continue to monitor policy closely and make adjustments only when the facts warrant it.
• We operate with intentional transparency, keeping our dealers informed without oversharing details that could benefit competitors or create confusion.
We’ve built our reputation on being more than just a product provider. We’re a partner in the full solution—and that includes navigating the operational, logistical, and policy challenges that come with being a dvLED manufacturer in today’s global market.
If you have open questions, or you’re navigating a client conversation where you’d like support, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m happy to speak directly or provide tailored language to support your efforts.
Thank you, as always, for your partnership and trust.
Doug Wack
President, K-WAV