Anbernic Halts U.S. Shipments Due to Tariff Issues

Anbernic, a popular manufacturer of retro handheld consoles, has announced the suspension of all U.S. orders due to recent changes in U.S. tariff policies. As highlighted by The Verge, the company has advised customers to opt for products shipped from their U.S. warehouse, which remain unaffected by the new import duties, allowing for confident purchases. Unfortunately, orders requiring shipment from China will not be processed at this time.

Anbernic is renowned for its budget-friendly Game Boy clones, typically shipped directly from China upon release, with additional stock stored in U.S. warehouses for quicker delivery. The company's website allows customers to choose between U.S. and China shipping options, but not all products are available from the U.S. This means that certain items, such as the Anbernic RG CubeXX and RG 406H, will no longer be accessible to American players.

The Trump administration's imposition of tariffs, reaching up to 145% on Chinese imports, with potential increases to 245% on items like electric vehicles, has significantly impacted the market. These costs are often passed on to consumers, leading to rising prices for tech and gaming products, including Nintendo Switch 2 accessories and gaming laptops.

Anbernic is actively seeking solutions to assist customers affected by customs fees during this transitional period. Meanwhile, 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 in both the U.S. and Canada, the pre-order date has been delayed to April 24. Nintendo has maintained the $449.99 price for the Switch 2 console and its games, but has raised prices on most Switch 2 accessories.