Anbernic suspends US shipments over tariffs

Retro handheld console maker Anbernic has temporarily halted all shipments to the U.S. market.

The sudden move, first reported by The Verge, comes in response to shifting U.S. import tax regulations. The company is currently advising customers to "focus on items available through our U.S. warehouses, which remain unaffected by tariff changes." Any orders requiring international shipping from China have been put on hold indefinitely.

Best recognized for its affordable retro gaming devices resembling Game Boy systems, Anbernic traditionally fulfills preorders directly from Chinese factories before establishing secondary inventory in American distribution centers.

While Anbernic's online store typically offers shipping location options, certain products like the RG CubeXX and RG 406H won't appear as available to U.S. buyers since they lack domestic warehouse stock.

Recent tariff hikes under the current U.S. administration have seen import duties on Chinese goods skyrocket to 145%, with potential increases up to 245% for specific products like electric vehicles. These additional costs often ultimately fall to consumers, and gaming enthusiasts are already feeling the pinch across various products - from upcoming Switch 2 peripherals to high-performance gaming PCs.

The company issued a statement saying it's actively "exploring alternative solutions" for affected customers while navigating these "regulatory changes."

Nintendo recently showcased its Switch successor during a special 60-minute presentation. Initial plans for U.S. preorders in early April were postponed until April 24 due to trade policy uncertainties affecting both the U.S. and Canadian markets. While maintaining the $449.99 system price point, Nintendo did implement price adjustments for most Switch 2 accessories.