Retro handheld console manufacturer Anbernic has announced a suspension of all U.S. orders due to "changes in U.S. tariff policies." The company advises customers to "prioritize products shipped from our U.S. warehouse," which remain unaffected by import duties and are available for purchase with confidence. Unfortunately, orders requiring shipment from China will not be processed at this time.
Anbernic is renowned for its affordable Chinese Game Boy clones. Typically, these products are dropshipped directly from China upon release, with additional units later stored in U.S. warehouses for quicker delivery. On Anbernic's website, customers can select whether to ship from the U.S. or China. However, not all products are available from the U.S., meaning certain items like the Anbernic RG CubeXX and RG 406H are no longer accessible to American players.
The suspension comes in the wake of tariff increases implemented by the Trump administration, which have reached up to 145% on imports from China. There's a warning that tariffs on some products, such as electric vehicles, could escalate to 245% when combined with existing levies. While some companies can absorb these costs, they are often passed on to consumers, resulting in rising prices for tech and gaming products, including Nintendo Switch 2 accessories and gaming laptops.
Anbernic is actively "working to find a suitable solution" for customers who face custom fees during this transitional period.
In related news, Nintendo officially unveiled the Switch 2 during a 60-minute Nintendo Direct earlier this month. Originally, pre-orders for the Switch 2 were scheduled to open in early April in the U.S., but due to tariff-related uncertainty in both 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, though it has raised prices on most Switch 2 accessories.
