Anbernic Halts U.S. Shipments Due to Tariff Issues

Anbernic, a prominent manufacturer of retro handheld consoles, has announced a suspension of all U.S. orders due to recent shifts in U.S. tariff policies. As reported by The Verge, the company advised customers to opt for products shipped from their U.S. warehouse, which remain unaffected by the new import duties and can be purchased confidently. Unfortunately, orders requiring shipping from China will not be processed at this time.

Anbernic is well-known for its affordable Game Boy-inspired devices, typically shipped directly from China upon release, with additional stock stored in U.S. warehouses for quicker delivery. However, their website allows customers to select their shipping origin, though not all products are available from the U.S. This means popular items like the Anbernic RG CubeXX and RG 406H will no longer be accessible to American customers.

The suspension comes in the wake of the Trump administration's implementation of tariffs, which can reach up to 145% on imports from China. There's a potential for even higher tariffs, up to 245%, on specific products like electric vehicles, which could compound existing levies. While some companies might absorb these costs, they are more commonly passed on to consumers, resulting in increased prices for tech and gaming products, including Nintendo Switch 2 accessories and gaming laptops.

Anbernic is actively seeking a resolution for customers facing custom fees during this period of transition. Meanwhile, Nintendo has officially introduced the Switch 2 through a 60-minute Nintendo Direct earlier this month. Originally, pre-orders were scheduled to commence in early April in the U.S., but due to tariff-related uncertainties both in the U.S. and Canada, the pre-order date has been pushed back 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 during this delay.