The goal of Trump’s tariffs, as I understand it, was to get stuff made in the USA. I don’t have a problem with that, but I kind of think the reason manufacturing moved out of the USA to begin with is because not many people really want to do factory work (or field work, for that matter) if they don’t have to. Bringing manufacturing back to the USA would just mean more automation, and probably not many jobs.
Nonetheless, the board game industry that has spent years developing the infrastructure to make board games affordably and to the highest quality, was taken a little by surprise, and now have to either devastate their razor-thin profits and eat the costs of the tariffs themselves, or pass them along to the customers. China will not be paying these tariffs, and it’s kind of weird that anyone thinks they will. Certainly none of the companies listed below believe that.
Some of the projects listed believe that, by the time they get around to shipping, that the tariffs will have become more reasonable. Let’s hope. Anything could happen. Every day is a new adventure.
Pocket RPG — Play D&D Anywhere
If tariffs persist, they will move manufacturing from China to somewhere with a better tariff deal. No plans to manufacture in the US.
The Red Dragon Inn Allies: Jin vs Greppa
SlugFest games will eat the costs of any tariffs.
Trollgod’s SkullQuest Campaign Adventure
Being printed in the USA — no tariffs!
Dragon Breath Ale Tiki Mug
Also by SlugFest games, and they will again be eating the cost of any tariffs, but they aren’t liking them much.
Ctrl+Alt+Del Comic Collections: Volume 2
The creator is really hoping the tariffs will be gone by the time the boat hits the shore, but if not, North American backers will have to pay them.
Mystery Dice, The Kickstarter – The Trilogy
Just deciding not to worry about it for now.
DragonStrike
Mystery Under Magi-Mart
The creator is in the Netherlands, but hasn’t mentioned anywhere how this will be shipped to US backers. It’s a book, so it may be able to be shipped in a different way.
Diceomatic Retro Dice Spinner
These guys are so late, I’ll believe it when I see it. They are holding off on USA shipping, hoping for some sanity, but have promised not to pass the costs onto the backers.
Owlbear and Friends Plush Keychains
They’re weighing their options. Holding off on US shipping, but currently plan to eat the cost of the tariffs themselves.
Gloomhaven Grand Festival
Cephalofair isn’t sure what they’re going to do about the tariffs, but they are extremely worried about it and penned an extremely long update about the whole tariff situation, with links to a lot of other information about how tariffs are harming the board game industry.
Upshot is — the industry is dealing with it, best they can. None of the projects I’ve backed have come right out and said they are not shipping to the US, but many have delays or a “wait and see” attitude. And it really doesn’t seem like China is going to be sending checks to anyone.
