Anbernic, the popular manufacturer of retro handheld consoles, has announced a suspension of all orders destined for the U.S. 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 these new import duties. This allows American buyers to purchase with confidence, while orders requiring shipment from China will not be processed.
Anbernic is well-known for its budget-friendly Game Boy clones, which are usually shipped directly from China upon release. However, they also maintain stock in U.S. warehouses for quicker delivery. Their website offers customers the choice between U.S. and China shipping, but not all products, such as the Anbernic RG CubeXX and RG 406H, are available from U.S. stock, making them temporarily unavailable to American consumers.
The Trump administration's implementation of tariffs, which can reach up to 145% on certain imports from China, with potential increases to 245% on electric vehicles, has led to increased costs that are often passed on to consumers. This rise in prices is already affecting the tech and gaming industries, impacting products like Nintendo Switch 2 accessories and gaming laptops.
Anbernic has assured that it is "working to find a suitable solution" for any customers who face unexpected custom fees during this period of transition.
Meanwhile, Nintendo officially unveiled the Switch 2 during a 60-minute Nintendo Direct earlier this month. Originally, pre-orders 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. The company has maintained the $449.99 price for the Switch 2 console and its games, but has raised prices on most of its Switch 2 accessories.
