Anbernic, a popular manufacturer of retro handheld consoles, has announced a suspension of all U.S. orders due to recent changes 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. This allows American customers to continue purchasing with confidence. However, orders requiring shipment directly from China will not be processed at this time.
Anbernic is well-known for its affordable Game Boy clones, which are typically shipped directly from China upon release, with additional stock later stored in U.S. warehouses. Their website offers customers the option to choose between shipping from the U.S. or China. Unfortunately, not all products are available from the U.S., meaning that some popular items like the Anbernic RG CubeXX and RG 406H are no longer accessible to American players.
The recent tariff hikes, initiated by the Trump administration, impose rates of up to 145% on imports from China, with potential increases to 245% on certain products like electric vehicles. These tariffs often result in higher costs for consumers, as companies pass on the additional expenses. This trend is already affecting the prices of tech and gaming products, including Nintendo Switch 2 accessories and gaming laptops.
Anbernic is actively seeking solutions to assist customers who may face custom fees during this period of transition. They are committed to finding a way to mitigate the impact of these new tariffs on their customer base.
In related news, Nintendo officially unveiled the Switch 2 during a 60-minute Nintendo Direct earlier this month. Originally, pre-orders for the console were scheduled to open in early April in the U.S., but due to tariff-related uncertainties 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 its games, though they have raised prices on most Switch 2 accessories.
