USA Tariff Impacts

[JonathanM]

No political commentary here please, I'm just passing along information from one of my suppliers. I predict a solid price bump just in time to put a damper on holiday sales of some tech items. Who knows when the backlash of increased supply will force prices back down. My best guess with current information is possible price cuts mid December to try to get inventory off the books before the end of the year.

 

Ongoing trade talks and treaties will likely invalidate any predictions, with the exception of a prediction of unpredictable price swings.

 

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There has been a lot of discussion recently about the impacts of the recently proposed tariff changes by the US Administration on Computer Components.

 

As we approach the up-and-coming implementation date of September 24, 2018, the questions we’re getting from resellers and sales are getting rampant.  Here is a summary of components that are confirmed affected from our PM group. 

 

• VGA
  • Please note all RTX cards will increase in Oct

  • Each Board Partner will increase once Vendor’s current stock on hand is replenished. Some may do it sooner than others

• Motherboard
  • ASROCK - not affected

  • ASUS, MSI, GIGABYTE, BIOSTAR - Each Vendor will increase once Vendor’s current stock on hand is replenished.  Some may do it sooner than others

• Mini PC/BRIX
  • Gigabyte - will increase once Vendor’s current stock on hand is replenished

  • Shuttle – will increase in October

  • Zotac – not affected

• PC Case
  • EVGA - will increase once Vendor’s current stock on hand is replenished

  • ANT – will get back to us this week

  • APE – trying not to

  • COL – trying not to

  • ENE – no increase in Q4

  • INW – not affected

  • LEP – no increase in Q4

  • LIA – any case made in China will be increased

  • NZXT – trying not to

  • SST – will get back to us next week

  • THE – trying not to

  • WII – will increase

• Power Supply
  • EVGA - will increase once Vendor’s current stock on hand is replenished

  • ANT - will get back to us this week

  • APE – trying not to

  • COL – trying not to

  • ENE – no increase in Q4

  • FSP – will increase once Vendor’s current stock on hand is replenished

  • INW – not affected

  • LEP – no increase in Q4

  • SES – will increase

  • SPI – will increase

  • THE – trying not to

• CPU Cooler
  • EVGA - will increase depending on their current stock on hand. 

 

As we wait for our vendors to act on these please be prepared and know which components/brands are affected.  Adjust cost accordingly and see what you can do to finish the quarter strong before we see potential price changes come October.  If you have any specific Vendor and/or Product Line question please contact the PM.