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🎯 How the Tariff Battle is Shaping the Toy Industry — And What It Means for You Over the past few years, tariffs on imports from China have shaken up many industries—but few have felt it as acutely as the toy world. With the majority of toys and collectibles manufactured overseas, especially in China, U.S. businesses and consumers alike have been caught in the crossfire of an ongoing trade war. Why Are Tariffs Hitting Toys So Hard?Nearly 85% of all toys sold in the U.S. are made in China. So when tariffs on Chinese imports were introduced and expanded, they added a significant cost to every step of the toy pipeline—from manufacturing and shipping to wholesale and retail pricing. For small businesses like ours, it’s meant increased costs on new releases, reissues, and even everyday bestsellers. We’re doing everything we can to absorb those costs or find smarter sourcing methods, but the effects are becoming harder to ignore. What This Means for Toy PricesIf current tariffs remain in place—or increase as some policy proposals suggest—we can expect to see: Higher retail prices on many toy lines, especially collector-focused imports and exclusive items. Limited availability on certain collectibles and pre-orders as distributors and retailers manage risk. Delayed shipments due to increased scrutiny, logistics strain, and rising costs from overseas vendors. Will Prices Go Back Down?That’s the million-dollar question. If trade negotiations change course or tariffs are lifted, we could see costs stabilize or even drop—but that likely won’t happen overnight. For now, the best approach is to stay informed, support small businesses who are navigating the squeeze, and grab your must-haves before they become harder to find (or more expensive). What We're Doing at New MetaAt New Meta, we’re actively working to diversify our suppliers, bring in more in-stock items made outside China, and keep our prices as fair as possible. We're also closely watching policy developments and working with distributors to minimize delays and surprises for our customers.