Anbernic Halts US Shipments Due to Tariff Concerns

US Inventory Remains Accessible

Anbernic, a well-known manufacturer of nostalgic handheld devices, has decided to cease the dispatch of its products from China to the United States due to tariff complications. This company, famed for its various emulation-driven consoles and frequently featured in Engadget’s ‘Top Gaming Handhelds’ list, will continue selling inventory that has already reached the US until stocks are exhausted.

According to Anbernic, “As a result of modifications in US tariff protocols, all shipments from China to the States will be halted beginning today.” They advise customers to select products from their existing US inventory, which remains unaffected by import tariffs and can be purchased safely.

Historically, Anbernic allowed customers to decide the shipment warehouse to sidestep extra customs charges or to ensure availability in certain regions. With the present changes, however, customers in the US will lose the privilege of ordering directly from China and may forego the opportunity to purchase newer models.

Halting shipments to the United States makes sense amidst the confusion surrounding current tariff policies. On April 9, former President Donald Trump issued a temporary halt on most tariffs for 90 days, while simultaneously hiking tariffs on imports from China. Even though some electronic items were initially exempt, later clarifications introduced separate tariffs specifically targeting semiconductors.

These erratic trade policy changes coincided with the abolition of the 'de minimis exemption,' which allowed duty-free entry for packages shipped to the US valued under $800—an essential factor for affordable alternatives such as Temu and the budget-friendly merchandise Anbernic produces. While the unpredictable nature of current trade tactics suggests Anbernic might resume US shipments in the future, not all businesses can absorb extra tariff costs like industry giants such as Nintendo.