Ready for game night? 🎲 This holiday season, U.S. tariffs on imports from the Chinese mainland are making your favorite board games pricier and slower to arrive.
Since early 2025, extra duties on Chinese mainland-made gaming components have increased production costs by up to 20%. That means publishers — from big names to indie creators — are facing tough choices: raise prices, find new factories, or shrink game pieces to save on shipping.
Hobby shops report sticker shock. A popular strategy game that sold for $50 in 2024 now rings in at around $58. Smaller shops say they’re stressing over lower margins and longer lead times, sometimes waiting weeks extra for shipments stuck in port.
Gamers aren’t happy, either. Social media threads light up with stories of delayed deliveries and surprise price tags. One community forum joked, 'Guess we'll be using cardboard tokens until 2026!' 😅
Some publishers are exploring production hubs in Southeast Asia or Eastern Europe. But switching factories takes months and can risk quality control. For now, many are warning fans: preorder early, or brace for higher costs at checkout.
Looking ahead, the gaming world is watching U.S.–China trade talks. Any easing of tariffs could bring prices back down, but experts say relief may not come until mid-2026. Until then, consider digital versions of your favorites or local second-hand markets to keep game nights rolling without breaking the bank.
Reference(s):
How U.S. tariffs could be crushing your favorite board games
cgtn.com
