Rare earth magnet exports have been halted, and for the miniatures hobby, that means prices for the supply that is left are about to skyrocket.
If you’ve been magnetizing your Warhammer minis like it’s no big deal, brace yourself—those tiny, mighty magnets are about to get real expensive. China just pulled the plug on rare earth magnet exports, and that means the supply chain just got punched in the face.
So with no new magnets coming in, and now fewer to go around, prices are set to climb faster than a Space Marine drop pod. If you’ve got kits waiting for customization or army lists that rely on swappable parts, now’s the time to act. Let’s break down what this means, what you can still grab, and how to avoid paying triple next month.
Prepping For The Great Magnet Shortage
So what’s going on? In short: China, which has been the go-to source for rare earth magnets (the good ones, the small and strong kind we love), has decided to hit the pause button on exports. No, it’s not about price hikes or supply chain bottlenecks this time. It’s straight-up policy. Tariffs and global politics have made the whole thing political for critical components like Magnets. Which means, that magnets for Warhammer minis are about to disappear from shelves.
They Could Dry Up Quickly
This isn’t just a minor hiccup. With supply drying up and demand still going strong, prices are already starting to creep up. Magnetizing your minis might soon cost more than the miniatures themselves, which is… not ideal. For folks who love flexibility in their army builds or just hate glue, this is pretty dire.
But don’t toss your bits box into the flames just yet. There’s some hope.
Some Hope On the Horizon
Let’s talk about the cavalry coming in—slowly, but surely. U.S.-based companies like MP Materials are ramping up production of rare earth materials. Their main focus? High-demand sectors like defense, auto, and consumer electronics. Think fighter jets, electric vehicles, and yes, maybe even your Adeptus Mechanicus army one day.
They’ve got a hefty backlog right now, but there are indicators that once the high-priority contracts are sorted, there could be space to support smaller-scale buyers like—you guessed it—tabletop gamers.
No promises, but it’s something to keep an eye on. If hobby suppliers start partnering up with domestic sources, we might see a second wave of magnet availability. Not cheap, but it’s accessible.
Magnet Baron: Get It While You Can
While we wait for the U.S. to spool up its magnet machines, your best bet is to stock up while supplies last. Enter: The Magnet Baron, and even companies like Squad Marks. Both of which we not only recommend through affiliate links, but also use ourselves.
This shop has built a solid reputation for offering magnet kits tailor-made for tabletop gaming. We’re talking pre-sized, hobby-friendly options that slot perfectly into your minis without breaking out the Dremel. If you’re putting together a new army, working on a conversion project, or just want to future-proof your collection, now’s a good time to check out their site and buy a stash.
Word on the street is that demand is going up fast—and with China out of the game, restocks could be slower than a footslogging Ork mob. Here are some kits we would take a look at before they go up.
Questoris Imperial Knight: No-Drill Magnetization Kit: $34.99
Get 5% OFF With Promo Code SPIKEY10
This kit stands out for its magnet-based system that doesn’t require special tools, drilling, or messy putty. Each component is sized for specific parts of the model and labeled for easy placement.
The result? A Knight that can go from wielding a rapid-fire cannon to brandishing a massive gauntlet in no time. It’s perfect for folks who like to experiment with different loadouts or avoid committing to a single configuration.
Here are some other great kits you can grab before prices go up:
- Magnetize your flight stands and save those flying minis.
- The magnetization starter kit has everything you need!
- Build extra heavy weapon squads and magnetize them!
- Magnetize your bases and carrying cases for easy transport.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Audit Your Bits and Projects: Take a quick look at your armies. Are there minis you’ve been meaning to magnetize but never got around to? This is your sign.
- Order Before Prices Jump Again: Magnet Baron’s your safest most high-quality bet, but don’t wait too long. Supplies aren’t infinite, and prices won’t be dropping anytime soon.
- Spread the Word: If you’re in a hobby group or online community, let folks know. A lot of people haven’t heard about the China export situation yet, and a little heads-up can go a long way.
- Get Creative: In the worst-case scenario, we may need to look at alternatives—clever pinning, modular build strategies, or even 3D-printed joints. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than paying premium for magnets on eBay.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t the end of magnetizing, just most likely the end of doing it on the cheap. With some planning and a bit of foresight, you’ll still be able to keep your armies flexible and future-ready, without having to mortgage your terrain collection.
Click Here to Get Your Magnets Today!
Will you be trying to finish your projects before the price hikes hit?
