We’ve got some important news to share with you regarding our product prices. Due to the current administration's sudden increase of tariffs for imported goods into the United States from China has heavily impacted us as a small business. We’re facing significant costs we couldn’t have anticipated, and after crunching the numbers, we realized we need to make some adjustments to keep everything on course.
As part of our commitment to transparency, we want to provide the full context behind these unexpected and unprecedented fees — and explain why they significantly impact us as a small business.
Starting today we’ll be adjusting the prices of several of our products. We understand that these adjustments might be disappointing, and frankly, we’re not happy about them either. Unfortunately, these increases are necessary to keep providing you with the best possible gaming experience and keep our business in business.
On the positive side of things, our print-on-demand items (which we lovingly call “Forged on Demand” on the site) will not increase in price at this time.
We’re working closely with our partners and suppliers to find ways to minimize costs without sacrificing the quality you expect from us. Our commitment to you and the Rollacrit community remains as strong as ever, and we believe that together, we can navigate these challenges and continue to share our love for tabletop gaming.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We’re excited about the future and look forward to bringing you more adventures and fun. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, happy gaming!
FAQ
Why are these tariffs and fees happening?
- On February 1, 2025, Executive Order 14195 established a new 10% tariff on all Chinese imports. The order, which went into effect on February 4, came at the behest of the National Security Council.
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On March 4, 2025, Tariffs jumped again on Chinese imports again from 10% to 20%.
- On April 2, 2025, “Liberation Day” tariffs added another 34% tariffs on China, now totaling 54%.
- Also, the current political administration signed an Executive Order stating that beginning May 2, 2025, the United States is eliminating the de minimis exemption for shipments from China and Hong Kong, meaning goods valued under $800 will no longer be exempt from tariffs.
Additionally, a new port fee is expected to be imposed on Chinese-made container ships. This fee would apply to vessels based on the percentage of their fleet manufactured in China and will likely be split across all containers on board, impacting us as the importer. While we don’t know how this will directly influence shipping costs, we’re watching closely to understand the ripple effects it might have on overall pricing. To give you an idea of the magnitude of these costs, we expect it to be tens of thousands of dollars.
What is a tariff?
A tariff is a tax imposed on imported goods. When a container arrives in the U.S. from China, these tariffs are paid as part of the customs clearance process.
How are tariffs paid?
- Customs Entry & Duty Assessment: When a container arrives at a U.S. port, the importer (the company or individual bringing in the goods) must file a Customs Entry with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- Tariff Calculation: CBP determines the tariff amount based on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) classification of the goods, PLUS the extra 54% that was just tacked on by the Trump administration for products from China.
- Payment by Importer: The importer of record (in this case, Rollacrit — not the exporter in China) is responsible for paying the tariff. Payment must be completed before the goods can be released from customs.
Why not manufacture in the U.S.?
We’d love to, but here’s why it’s not feasible for most board games:
- Lower Manufacturing Costs – China has significantly lower labor and material costs compared to the U.S. Printing, plastic components, and assembly are much cheaper, even with shipping and tariffs factored in.
- Specialized Factories – Many board game components, such as custom miniatures, dice, and high-quality printing, require specialized manufacturing. Chinese factories have decades of experience producing high-quality games and components. Plus, our molds and print plates are already paid for and in China.
- Supply Chain Efficiency – The availability of materials in China allows for faster, more efficient production. In the U.S., these supply chains are less developed, leading to higher costs and longer production times.
- Limited U.S. Alternatives – Very few large-scale board game manufacturers in the U.S. can handle complex, multi-component games. The existing ones are often more expensive and have longer lead times.
- Price Sensitivity – Gamers are price-conscious, and increasing manufacturing costs in the U.S. would lead to significantly higher retail prices (up to 400% more). Many publishers fear customers wouldn’t be willing to pay those higher prices.
That said, some companies do manufacture in the U.S., especially for simpler games with fewer components. However, overseas production is still the most viable option for most board games, especially ours, which is mainly all plastic.
Why are you increasing your prices?
The rising tariffs on imported goods have had a direct impact on our costs, from production to shipping. As a small business, we’ve always worked hard to keep prices as affordable as possible, but these unavoidable increases in expenses mean that we need to adjust our prices to keep our business running.
When will the new prices take effect?
The new prices will take effect starting April 9th, 2025, and will continue to adjust as new tariffs are added or removed.
How can I stay updated on future changes?
We’ll be updating this blog as new information continues to come out. Check back for the latest updates!