New tariffs are changing Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40k costs. Find out what these tariffs mean for players, collectors, and the hobby market.
Games Workshop had another record year, but there’s a storm brewing across the U.S. gaming scene with tariffs again.
New trade rules are about to nudge prices in a way that could sting both Warhammer 40k players building fresh forces and collectors chasing limited kits. This isn’t just about a few extra coins at checkout; it’s the kind of shift that ripples across game stores, third-party sellers, resale markets, and tournament prep alike.
The big question on everyone’s mind: how much plastic will your wallet actually cover once the de minimis exemption goes away on August 31st, 2025, and the new tariffs and price increases kick in from Games Workshop later in 2025/26?
Let’s break down what these changes mean for tabletop gaming, from hobbyists to hardcore competitors, and why the cost of your next box of miniatures might be higher than you’d like.
Tariffs Are Biting Into GW’s Bottom Line
Games Workshop laid it all out in their latest annual report. Without changes, the new U.S. Trump tariffs would hit their profitability by about $16.1 million (roughly £12 million) in the long term for fiscal year 2025/26.
While GW ponders what to do about that situation, keep in mind that they may just absorb those costs due to their new “efficiency” in their gross margin.
Either way, that’s a hefty chunk of profit margin lost simply because so much of GW’s product line is imported from their production facilities in the UK to the US for distribution first, then on to Canada, and the rest of North and South America.
Unfortunately, Games Workshop’s MAP policy shuts down the option of buying single kits overseas and shipping them into regions like the US. It’s one of the ways GW keeps prices high across markets, leaning on a tactic called currency arbitrage to squeeze extra profit out of regional differences.
De Minimis Hits Miniatures
And here’s the kicker: as of August 31, 2025, the de minimis exemption allowing imports under $800 will be gone.
That means even small overseas orders to U.S. customers now get smacked with tariffs.
So not only are GW’s direct imports more expensive, but alternative Warhammer-compatible product suppliers who used to sneak under the limit from overseas are about to be sidelined, too.
All of that means obtaining official Warhammer products or even third-party alternatives is about to become more challenging.
Pick any overseas seller; they have a notice about not shipping here right now: Anvil Industry, Mortian, Archie’s Forge, Battle Bling, etc.
Expect Increase Prices
Let’s be real, nobody’s shocked that prices are going up. GW pushes through an average 5% increase almost every year, and CEO Kevin Rountree confirmed that new product RRPs will rise in the year ahead.
But buried in their financial report was this nugget:
“We will continue to raise our RRPs on new products (the average was c.5% in 2024/25) to represent the significant investment it has taken to deliver them.”
This time, though, the price hikes won’t just be part of the usual annual adjustment. Tariffs are forcing GW’s hand, which means players should brace for a larger-than-normal jump in retail prices. Translation: your next army project is probably going to cost more.
However, you can mitigate this somewhat in the short term by purchasing used models from some of our favorite sellers.
Efficiency vs. Reality
Rountree says GW will try to soften the blow with efficiency gains. The problem? The company is already operating at a high level of efficiency. Squeezing more out of their systems is going to be tough, and even he admits it will probably take longer than a year.
So while “efficiency” makes for a nice headline, the practical effect in the near term is going to be price increases impacting our hobby budgets.
The Customer Impact: Thinner Shelves and Fewer Alternatives
If you’ve been frustrated by thin stock at local stores, you’re not alone. GW has been keeping inventory lean as part of its strategy, and that’s not changing anytime soon. Retailers have complained about fill rates, but GW seems willing to accept that trade-off.
On top of that, the tariff situation means fewer options for players to grab kits, like starter sets, outside of GW’s ecosystem. Fewer imports, thinner shelves, and raising prices? It’s not a great combo for those trying to stretch their hobby dollar.
Will 3D Printing See a Boost?
Here’s where it gets interesting: with higher prices and reduced access to third-party imports, hobbyists may turn even more to 3D printing.
It’s already become a growing alternative for tabletop gamers, and Warhammer tariffs may push more people in that direction. For many, the choice could come down to paying GW’s rising RRPs or investing in a printer and some resin.
GW’s Bigger Picture
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that Games Workshop is still financially strong. They just posted $827.5 million in sales and $262.8 million in profit, with a big boost from licensing thanks to the launch of video games like Space Marine 2.
They’ve opened more stores, increased trade sales, and remain the dominant player in miniatures. Plus, we have all been waiting for the Cavill Amazon series, which we expect to boost licensing, possibly even above Space Marine 2.
However, new tariffs affecting items like Warhammer 40k are a real drag. Globalists don’t care about success; they just care about taxes. And those taxes mean higher costs and higher prices for all of us.
Final Thoughts From Us
For U.S. players, the reality is simple: prices are probably going up more than usual in 2025/26. Between their standard yearly bump and the added Games Workshop tariff pressure, the hobby is about to get an increase due to these external pressures.
The question now is how players will respond. Will more people scale back their purchases, focus on smaller skirmish games, or jump into 3D printing? Or will GW’s momentum and strong product line keep folks buying despite the increases?
Either way, these new US tariffs are shaping up to be one of the biggest financial hurdles GW and its players have faced in years.
See the Latest on GW’s Financial Report
