Dark times may be coming for both toy and games manufacturers (like GW) as experts predict prices may jump 25% or more in June for American consumers.
Editor’s Note: In most cases, Games Workshop tends to mark its exports as “not toys” reportedly to help facilitate their passing through customs. However as a trade wars loom in the distance, that may not be enough to save those items GW produces in China to help supplement its manufacturing schedule.
American game & hobby distributor Golden Prime had this to say about the looming American tariff situation in a recent Facebook post:
And honestly, from what we’ve seen, the likelihood that there will be an additional 25% tariff placed on all tabletop goods imported from China, starting as early as the end of June, could have severe impacts on every aspect of our businesses.
They go on to say that the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) frequently teams up with the Toy Industry Association (TIA) to go after legislation like this in Washington.
Yesterday’s comments by the TIA may have put the situation into a perspective that should be easy for any hobbyist to understand:
To be clear, China is not paying these tariffs; rather, American families and U.S. companies are, through higher consumer prices and decreased profits. We support fair and free trade that protects American intellectual property, our workers and businesses. This all-out trade war is the wrong approach.
As an industry that brings joy to kids through toys and play, the toy community is banding together to let President Trump know that new tariffs on toys would destroy American businesses – not to mention ruin Christmas, birthdays, and other special occasions for kids.
According to them its bad all around for both gaming manufacturers, on down to the consumer. If you’re unfamiliar with tariffs, as many Americans tend to be because we don’t typically pay import fees, the TIA broke it down a bit:
How Do Tariffs Cause Harm?
- Tariffs are taxes that are paid for by American families, businesses, workers, and communities, NOT by other countries. They are paid here, at home.
- Tariffs that have been imposed so far have caused U.S. businesses to lay off workers, raised prices for consumers, hurt American farm exports, and threatened an otherwise productive economy.
- Tariffs on toys would reach directly into the pockets of American families in the form of higher prices and reduced choice and availability.
Want to help keep prices from skyrocketing? There is something you can do, right now, that will have an impact on the potential upcoming price hikes for the hobby.
If you are here in the states, follow the link below to fill out a letter to send to your Representatives in the House and the Senate. All you have to do is put in your Zip Code, Name and short message. It literally could be the most important thing you do this year for the hobby, and it took me less than a minute of time.
It’s super easy to do yall. Once you’re done make sure you share the article with every store owner, co-worker, hobbyist, and friend you know; it takes a minute to fill out and they DO make a difference!
KEEP HOBBY PRICES DOWN- SEND YOUR LETTER
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
