Mini PCs get caught in the crossfire as new U.S. tariff order imposes flat $80-$200 duties
A new U.S. executive order has stirred up the global tech hardware market yet again - and budget-friendly mini PCs and single-board computers (SBCs) will be among the first to feel the impact. As part of a new policy shift, all imports under $800 will now face full customs processing, including a flat per-item duty between $80 and $200, depending on the country of origin.
For those interested in compact computing - whether you're building a low-power home server, setting up an emulation box, or working with a Raspberry Pi alternative - this tariff could be a major problem. The rule comes from a surprise July 30 executive order that abruptly kills the U.S. de minimis exemption, which had previously allowed low-value tech imports to bypass duties and detailed customs declarations. Until now, buyers could order a $129 Beelink mini PC or a $70 Orange Pi kit from overseas and have it delivered with little more than a shipping label attached. Starting August 29, those same packages will now be treated like enterprise-grade hardware.
Every qualifying item will require:
- A full Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code
- Country-of-origin documentation
- A per-unit duty ($80-$200 flat rate through February 2026)
- Transition to "ad valorem" tariffs (import taxes calculated as a percentage of an item’s declared value, rather than a flat fee) from March 1, 2026
This will be problematic in the hobbyist and developer community, where margin-sensitive projects often rely on cheap but powerful components imported from Shenzhen or Hong Kong. A $110 SBC that once shipped duty-free may now carry an 80%+ price increase after tariffs and processing. Many of these boards and mini PCs aren’t stocked domestically too, leaving U.S. consumers without alternatives. And platforms like AliExpress, Geekbuying, or Banggood could pass compliance costs directly to the buyer or cease shipping these SKUs entirely.
For now, you might need to act fast, especially if you're planning to buy a mini PC or SBC from overseas - August 28 is your soft deadline.
Americans: Surprise New Tariff Order Will Add a Flat $80 to $200 Duty On Any Mini PC or SBC from Overseas
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