Anbernic Halts U.S. Shipments Due to Tariff Issues

Anbernic, a popular manufacturer of retro handheld consoles, has announced the suspension of all orders to the United States due to recent changes in U.S. tariff policies. As reported by The Verge, the company advises customers to opt for products shipped from their U.S. warehouse, which remain unaffected by these import duties. This recommendation comes as orders requiring shipment from China will no longer be processed.

Anbernic is well-known for its affordable Chinese Game Boy clones, which are typically shipped directly from China upon release, with additional stock later stored in U.S. warehouses. However, the company's website allows customers to choose between shipping from the U.S. or China. Unfortunately, not all products, including the Anbernic RG CubeXX and RG 406H, are available from U.S. stock, meaning these items will not be accessible to American customers during this period.

The suspension comes in the wake of tariffs implemented by the Trump administration, which can reach up to 145% on certain Chinese imports, with potential increases to 245% on items like electric vehicles when combined with existing levies. These tariffs often result in higher costs passed onto consumers, affecting the prices of tech and gaming products such as Nintendo Switch 2 accessories and gaming laptops.

Anbernic is actively seeking solutions to mitigate the impact of customs fees on customers during this transitional period. Meanwhile, in related news, Nintendo officially unveiled the Switch 2 during a 60-minute Nintendo Direct earlier this month. Originally, pre-orders were scheduled to open in early April in the U.S., but due to uncertainties surrounding tariffs in both the U.S. and Canada, the pre-order date has been delayed to April 24. Despite the delay, Nintendo has maintained the $449.99 price for the Switch 2 console and games, though prices on most Switch 2 accessories have been raised.