Anbernic, a well-known manufacturer of retro handheld consoles, has recently announced the suspension of all orders to the United States. As reported by The Verge, the company cited "changes in U.S. tariff policies" as the reason for this decision. Anbernic advised customers to opt for products shipped from their U.S. warehouse, which are not impacted by the new import duties and can be purchased confidently. However, orders requiring shipment from China will not be processed at this time.

Anbernic has gained popularity for its affordable Game Boy clones, which are usually shipped directly from China upon release, with additional stock stored in U.S. warehouses. The company's website allows customers to select between U.S. and China shipping options, but not all products are available from the U.S. This means that some sought-after items like the Anbernic RG CubeXX and RG 406H are no longer accessible to American consumers.

The current U.S. administration, following policies set during the Trump era, has imposed tariffs as high as 145% on imports from China. There have also been warnings that tariffs on specific imports, such as electric vehicles, could escalate to 245% when combined with existing levies. While some companies might manage to absorb these costs, they are more commonly passed on to the end consumer. This trend is already affecting the prices of tech and gaming products, including Nintendo Switch 2 accessories and gaming laptops.

Anbernic is actively seeking a "suitable solution" to assist customers who might face unexpected customs fees during this transitional period.

In other gaming news, Nintendo officially revealed the Switch 2 during a 60-minute Nintendo Direct earlier this month. Initially, pre-orders were scheduled to start in early April in the U.S., but due to uncertainties related to tariffs both in the U.S. and Canada, Nintendo postponed the pre-order date to April 24. Despite the delay, Nintendo maintained the $449.99 price for the Switch 2 console and its games, but increased the prices of most Switch 2 accessories.