Anbernic halts retro gaming console shipments to US in response to rising tariffs

Steep US tariffs on Chinese products are massively impacting the retro gaming console market. Anbernic makes affordable handhelds that emulate consoles like the Game Boy and PS1. Unfortunately, the company announced that it's suspending shipments from China to the US. Buyers should purchase products in domestic warehouses before stock levels deplete.

President Trump has imposed tariffs on China of up to 145%, which could grow to as high as 245%. While other countries have a 90-day grace period for fees higher than 10%, China is not among the exempt nations. Unless the superpowers compromise, the prices of laptops and smartphones could also skyrocket. Nintendo has partially avoided the impact of tariffs by moving some manufacturing to Vietnam. However, that process started several years ago. Chinese brands like Anbernic are less prepared for the economic fallout.

Affordable and compact consumer electronics are most affected by US tariffs. Small parcels shipped from China are subject to a $100 per postal item fee after May 2nd, before jumping to $200 after June 1st. Many Anbernic retro gaming console models, including the popular RG35XXSP, are well under $100. That makes it impossible for the manufacturer to absorb the new charges. In the hopes of tariff reductions, most brands are halting US shipments instead of dramatically raising prices.

Anbernic gaming handhelds ship to buyers with emulation software pre-installed. They often include SD cards filled with ROMs, but many gamers prefer to install less glitchy alternatives. The company avoids major IPs like Mario and Zelda; otherwise, the Chinese brand has avoided copyright lawsuits.

Buyers looking for retro gaming console alternatives may run out of options since Ayaneo and Retroid also operate in China.