Anbernic Stops Shipping Retro Gaming Handhelds to US Due to New Tariffs
- Sahil Mankar
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Anbernic, a popular Chinese maker of retro gaming handhelds, has suspended all direct shipments to the United States because of new tariffs on Chinese goods.
The company announced this change on its website, advising American customers to buy products from its US warehouse instead.
"Due to changes in US tariff policies, we will be suspending all orders shipping from China to the United States," Anbernic stated on its website, as reported by Gizmodo. The company added, "We strongly recommend prioritizing products shipped from our US warehouse, which are currently not affected by import duties."
This decision comes in response to the tariffs imposed on Chinese products by the Trump administration. While the company typically ships new handhelds directly from China to buyers when first released, it also stores additional units in American warehouses for later purchases. Unfortunately, these US-based supplies are limited and may not last long.
The tariffs in question are quite substantial. President Trump has imposed a 145% tariff on goods from China. The policy specifically targets "de minimis" exemptions that previously allowed Chinese e-commerce companies like Temu and Shein to ship inexpensive products to American consumers without significant added costs.
Under the new trade rules, US customers will face additional costs when ordering products directly from China. These extra duties start at $75 in May and will increase to $150 in June. Both Temu and Shein have already announced they will adjust their prices starting April 25 due to these changes in global trade regulations.
For gamers who still want to purchase Anbernic products, there are alternatives. The handhelds remain available through third-party websites such as Amazon and AliExpress, though prices vary significantly. For example, the classic Anbernic RG35XX Plus, a Game Boy-like device, costs about $48 on AliExpress, $50 directly from Anbernic, and approximately $80 on Amazon. As supplies in the US dwindle, these prices are expected to rise.
Anbernic isn't a newcomer to the retro gaming scene. Founded in 2017 by Shenzhen YangLiMing Electronic Technology Co., the company launched China's first open-source handheld gaming console with its Retro Games series. Over the years, Anbernic has released more than 30 different models designed for retro gaming enthusiasts and open-source developers.
These devices are popular because they can run emulators—software that mimics older gaming systems—allowing users to play both new homebrew titles and digital copies of classic games. Anbernic's handhelds can emulate numerous systems including NES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, SNES, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and even more recent consoles like the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS.
The impact of these tariffs extends beyond just Anbernic. Other popular retro handheld manufacturers like Miyoo, Ayaneo, TrimUI, and Retroid are likely facing similar challenges. Retroid has already informed customers on its Discord channel that "all shipping agencies will not accept U.S. bound packages from China starting April 25."
Anbernic's most recent announcement, the RG557, which features a more powerful processor and OLED display, may be particularly affected by these shipping restrictions.
For now, American retro gaming enthusiasts will need to rely on existing US warehouse stock or third-party retailers, potentially at higher prices.