We’ve seen a lot of speculation around the 2025 tariffs, so we want to share where things currently stand, what we’re watching closely, and what we’re doing to support our clients through it all.
Before We Begin: If you do need hardware in the next 3-6 months, our suggestion is to buy now if possible instead of waiting. Prices are not likely to trend downward, and you will likely lock in savings now while also ensuring your have the hardware you need available and avoid any stock shortages.
What’s Happening with Tariffs?
Earlier this year, the U.S. government introduced a new round of tariffs on goods manufactured in China. Electronics and computer components are among the affected categories.
As of now:
- A 20% tariff is in effect on many China-sourced products, implemented through two 10% increases on February 1 and March 3, 2025 (Dentons – U.S. Tariff Update).
- A separate 25% tariff exemption from earlier rounds (2018–2019) is scheduled to expire on June 14, 2025, potentially pushing tariffs on some goods to 45% (Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg – Tariff Exemptions Expiring). This could push costs up dramatically for a wide range of electronic components (STR Trade – Exemption Details).
- Continued and increased tariffs on China-sourced products is possible and we urge you to check the latest news sources for the most up-to-date changes on these tariffs.
The electronics industry is particularly vulnerable because so many subcomponents—PCBs, enclosures, wiring, fans—are either produced in or routed through China.
What This Means for Customers
Tariffs affect more than just the directly taxed items. They have ripple effects across the entire supply chain:
- Higher subcomponent and materials costs are already being reported by component vendors and ODMs (EE Times – Supply Chain Impact).
- Finished products with partial Chinese sourcing may see indirect cost increases as OEMs adjust for rising BOM costs (ACDI – Reshoring & Cost Structures).
- Manufacturers are shifting production out of China to mitigate exposure, but these transitions take time and can limit short-term supply (New York Post – Apple Supplier Shift).
- Broader inflationary effects are anticipated across shipping, labor, and logistics in the electronics sector (Southern Illinois University – Tariff Effects on Supply Chains).
We’re seeing price increases across the board, but it’s not always clear how much is due to tariffs versus general economic pressure or opportunistic pricing by other vendors.
Our Approach at Computing Technologies
We’re taking a deliberate, data-driven approach—no panic, no pressure tactics. Here’s how we’re navigating this:
- Holding Prices Steady While We Evaluate
No immediate price changes are being made due to tariffs. We’re committed to understanding long-term impact before acting, however please note that pricing from our upstream providers may change drastically at any time forcing us to pivot quickly. - Active Supplier Communication
We’re working closely with our suppliers and component vendors to understand their strategies and timelines wherever possible. - Transparent, Customer-Centric Decisions
Any changes that do occur will come with transparency and lead time—not hidden markups.
What You Can Do Now
There’s no need to panic—but if you have critical hardware needs coming up (such as the end of support for Windows 10, requiring you to replace those machines with new ones), this is a good time to talk strategy with our team.
- Plan key projects early – If hardware is needed in late Q2 or early Q3, consider securing it before June.
- Stay looped in – We’ll continue to share updates as we can, so you can plan and budget with confidence.
We’re here to help you navigate this—not just with hardware, but with clear communication, planning support, and real-world options. If you have questions, let’s talk. We appreciate the trust you place in us —and we’re going to keep earning it.