When shopping for a sim racing chassis, price is always one of the first things racers compare. At first glance, overseas 8020 rigs from Europe or China may look like a bargain. But what many sim racers don’t realize is that the advertised price is rarely the final cost.
Hidden tariffs, import fees, and inflated shipping charges can turn what looks like a deal into an expensive surprise.
That’s why we designed the FCS-R1 Sim Racing Chassis differently — built, stocked, and shipped from California with transparent, upfront pricing.
What Are Tariffs and Why Do They Matter?
Tariffs are government taxes on imported goods. For sim racing gear — especially heavy aluminum rigs — tariffs can add hundreds of dollars to your purchase. In some cases, rates on aluminum products have reached close to 200%, depending on trade policies.
The problem? Overseas manufacturers rarely include these costs in their advertised prices. Instead, the delivery company (UPS, FedEx, DHL) collects them at your door. That $899 chassis suddenly becomes $1,100… or worse, $2,000+ if tariffs spike.
And with tariff rates changing constantly, you never know what your final cost will be until it arrives.
The FCS-R1 Advantage: Transparent Pricing, No Tariffs
The FCS-R1 eliminates all of these headaches. Why? Because it’s designed, stocked, and shipped from California.
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✅ No Tariffs or Import Fees — You’ll never get hit with surprise costs on delivery.
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✅ Free U.S. Shipping $350+ — Save another $150–$400 compared to overseas freight charges.
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✅ Fast 2-Day Shipping — Orders leave our Santa Clarita showroom in 2 business days or less.
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✅ Only Sales Tax Where Required — The checkout price is the final price (plus standard sales tax if applicable).
The result: The price you see is the price you pay. No surprises. No hidden charges.
Overseas Rigs vs. FCS-R1
Overseas Rigs (Europe/China):
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Advertised Price: $899 (looks cheaper on paper)
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Tariffs / Import Fees: +50%–200% billed on delivery
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Shipping Costs: $150–$400 extra, slow delivery
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Final Cost Example: $1,349–$2,699+
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Support & Service: Overseas, time zone delays
FCS-R1 (California):
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Advertised Price: $1,199 (transparent and final)
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Tariffs / Import Fees: $0 – No tariffs ever
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Shipping Costs: Free $350+ / Ships in 2 days
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Final Cost Example: $1,199 flat (plus sales tax where required)
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Support & Service: Local U.S. team in California
Why This Matters for U.S. Sim Racers
Buying a sim rig should be exciting — not stressful. With overseas rigs, you risk:
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Unpredictable tariffs at your door
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Expensive shipping fees
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Long waits for customs clearance
With the FCS-R1, you get:
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Budget certainty — no surprise costs
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Pro-level build quality — 40120 aluminum, direct-drive ready
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Local support — a California team that races, tests, and supports every chassis
The Takeaway
Overseas rigs may look cheaper upfront, but tariffs, shipping fees, and delays can easily double the cost.
The FCS-R1 Sim Racing Chassis is built in California for racers who want pro-level performance without hidden costs. With no tariffs, free U.S. shipping over $350, and transparent pricing (sales tax only where required), the price you see is the price you pay.
👉 Order your FCS-R1 today and experience the difference of California-built quality.
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