Anbernic Halts U.S. Shipments Due to Tariff Issues

Anbernic, a prominent manufacturer of retro handheld consoles, has announced the suspension of all orders destined for the United States. As reported by The Verge, the company attributed this decision to "changes in U.S. tariff policies." To navigate this issue, Anbernic advised customers to opt for products shipped from their U.S. warehouse, which remain unaffected by import duties and can be purchased confidently. Unfortunately, orders requiring shipment from China will no longer be processed.

Anbernic is well-regarded for its budget-friendly Chinese Game Boy clones, which are typically shipped directly from China to customers upon release. Additional units are then stored in U.S. warehouses for easier access. However, the company's website allows customers to choose their shipping origin, but not all products are available from the U.S. This means popular items such as the Anbernic RG CubeXX and RG 406H are now unavailable to American players.

The recent tariffs, which were implemented by the Trump administration, can reach up to 145% on imports from China. There's a warning that tariffs on specific imports, such as electric vehicles, could surge to 245% when combined with existing levies. Although some businesses can absorb these costs, they are often passed on to consumers, resulting in increased prices for tech and gaming products, including Nintendo Switch 2 accessories and gaming laptops.

Anbernic has acknowledged the situation and stated they are "working to find a suitable solution" for customers affected by custom fees during this challenging period.

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 tariff-related uncertainties both in the U.S. and Canada, Nintendo has delayed the pre-order date to April 24. Despite the delay, Nintendo has maintained the $449.99 price for the Switch 2 console and games, although prices were raised on most Switch 2 accessories.