Made In China - Tariffs and impact on prices

[BALARGUE]

With the plan on increasing tariffs  (up to 60%) on chinese made goods and most of the hardware made in China, I guess hardware is going to be more expensive in the US (and probably everywhere if distribution keeps on moving products from China to USA to whatever country).
It's probably going to be the same for soft goods & shoes.

The industry is already in a bad shape and while I'm not an expert I think it's going to have a serious impact. What do you think ?

Will BBS rethink making boards in China ?

[TwisT]

I thought we were all riding US made parts this whole time?

[Too Frank To Fred]

Bring Ermico back to San Francisco. 

[j....soy.....]

With the plan on increasing tariffs  (up to 60%) on chinese made goods and most of the hardware made in China, I guess hardware is going to be more expensive in the US (and probably everywhere if distribution keeps on moving products from China to USA to whatever country).
It's probably going to be the same for soft goods & shoes.

The industry is already in a bad shape and while I'm not an expert I think it's going to have a serious impact. What do you think ?

Will BBS rethink making boards in China ?

I think this was to address Europe and Asia…..

BBS boards all went up in price and we’ve already seen this….if anything maybe we’ll see some different off shore manufacturers.  Or….wait for it…..the prices just to go up….

[Made In China]

you called?

[WelcomeToHell]

With the plan on increasing tariffs  (up to 60%) on chinese made goods and most of the hardware made in China, I guess hardware is going to be more expensive in the US (and probably everywhere if distribution keeps on moving products from China to USA to whatever country).
It's probably going to be the same for soft goods & shoes.

The industry is already in a bad shape and while I'm not an expert I think it's going to have a serious impact. What do you think ?

Will BBS rethink making boards in China ?

BBS doesn't make boards in China...

[Mbrimson88]

With the plan on increasing tariffs  (up to 60%) on chinese made goods and most of the hardware made in China, I guess hardware is going to be more expensive in the US (and probably everywhere if distribution keeps on moving products from China to USA to whatever country).
It's probably going to be the same for soft goods & shoes.

The industry is already in a bad shape and while I'm not an expert I think it's going to have a serious impact. What do you think ?

Will BBS rethink making boards in China ?

I think the model of being made in China and shipped directly from there to the rest of the world was a cost cutting measure brands like DLX have been working on, which seems like it is better, especially cutting out the passage of goods through the USA when it is going to the rest of the world.

Maybe everyone else will have much the same, but USA is going to get slogged by any tariff on product from China more than anyone else, but I don't follow that side of things as much as others might.


I am pretty sure other brands use this model to, eg Element boards and completes come straight from China to AU, maybe even NHS product too, but I don't know about others, besides what I have seen on boxes that end up being sent to me when ordering for the shop.

[Mbrimson88]

BBS doesn't make boards in China...

Maybe referring to BBS / DLX making their boards there, as it was a combined effort of BBS and DLX to get cheaper boards to the rest of the world.

[WelcomeToHell]

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BBS doesn't make boards in China...

[close]

Maybe referring to BBS / DLX making their boards there, as it was a combined effort of BBS and DLX to get cheaper boards to the rest of the world.

Oh I thought that was just DLX diversifying their distribution by using Chinese wood shops. Didn’t know BBS was involved in the process.

[Woodshop]

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BBS doesn't make boards in China...

[close]

Maybe referring to BBS / DLX making their boards there, as it was a combined effort of BBS and DLX to get cheaper boards to the rest of the world.

[close]

Oh I thought that was just DLX diversifying their distribution by using Chinese wood shops. Didn’t know BBS was involved in the process.

Might have been an industry secret, but others had posted in the woodshop thread or the DLX China thread about it, so I guess that one is out.

DLX pretty much moved production to the BBS location in Mexico, to have everything else made there - boards, trucks, wheels, etc but exactly what or other details, I don't know.

Then BBS / DLX partnership to get a cheaper woodshop up and running with BBS molds in China, through one of the well known existing woodshops, to keep a finger in that pie too, as it could be said.

That is the basic info anyway.

[WelcomeToHell]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

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BBS doesn't make boards in China...

[close]

Maybe referring to BBS / DLX making their boards there, as it was a combined effort of BBS and DLX to get cheaper boards to the rest of the world.

[close]

Oh I thought that was just DLX diversifying their distribution by using Chinese wood shops. Didn’t know BBS was involved in the process.

[close]

Might have been an industry secret, but others had posted in the woodshop thread or the DLX China thread about it, so I guess that one is out.

DLX pretty much moved production to the BBS location in Mexico, to have everything else made there - boards, trucks, wheels, etc but exactly what or other details, I don't know.

Then BBS / DLX partnership to get a cheaper woodshop up and running with BBS molds in China, through one of the well known existing woodshops, to keep a finger in that pie too, as it could be said.

That is the basic info anyway.

That makes sense. I hadn't heard that BBS connection with the Chinese woodshop. Appreciate the clarification!

[Plan9Customs]

you called?

I guess you get a pop quiz in economics today.
Full paragraphs please.

[thehogsniper]

How this impacts footwear will be interesting to see. While China is still widely used, I feel like more companies have switched to Vietnam. I wonder who is still using China for shoes. Sole tech?

[BeachChicken]

No one really knows what Trump will actually do and pass. Lots of very conservative think tanks seem to actually agree that his tariffs would likely raise inflation by at least .8% with the possible Mexico tariffs much, much higher. Its likely what he stated on the campaign trail won't happen the way he claimed because he literally just spews random shit and people eat it up and don't hold him accountable in any way.

[BOILED ANGEL]

what does this mean for europe

[moonordie]

what does this mean for europe

Hopefully nothing since we're already paying way more than US

[BOILED ANGEL]

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what does this mean for europe

[close]

Hopefully nothing since we're already paying way more than US

no guns, no skateboards, we cant have shit

[Síota]

Loads of EU brands soft goods are made here, HLC wood apparently is decent now, so not worried about the impact on us. I can skate film trucks and pay over a bit more in a few years when i run out of spitfires for them. Apparently the DLX china wood is good to according to various reviews I've read on here so no need to worry EU pals.

[Hyliannightmare]

Better stock up beforehand

[Scab Picker]

How this impacts footwear will be interesting to see. While China is still widely used, I feel like more companies have switched to Vietnam. I wonder who is still using China for shoes. Sole tech?

I only know of Warsaw. The Spanky Hi is made in Vietnam, so I don’t think Sole Tech is using Chinese factories. Vans used to be made in China but that’s either in the past or depends on the model. The two pairs Vans I have now were made in Vietnam.

I have unreasonable amounts of trucks and wheels because I would buy hardgoods during sales since I had plenty of shoes/clothes. Buying shit for the sake of buying shit might actually save me money in the future for once if tariffs are applied.

[jwdharris]

Just checked my stash of Wino Slip Cups, Spanky G6 and Spanky Hi. They're all made in Vietnam.

[Síota]

Just checked my stash of Wino Slip Cups, Spanky G6 and Spanky Hi. They're all made in Vietnam.

Yeah just checked my dunks the same Vietnam.

[Tiltmode Army Reservist]

Better stock up beforehand

Just like we did a few years ago when COVID got under better control and everyone realized they made too much product. That's when every late 30's Sunday Skater (that includes me) suddenly had a box of boards in their closets, in their preferred shapes, ready to go whenever their fat asses broke one. I'm also stocked up on skate shoes for the same reason.

Also, if you have a box of boards, and you see a friend who is out there every day with a razor tail, give the homie a fresh plank. We've got a community to maintain.

For shoes: This is a common practice but for those who don't know, applying super glue on top of the exposed stitching in the higher abrasion areas of your skate shoes will make them last longer. The other money-saving hack I have for skate shoes (I haven't had to use this one yet but I've held onto it for the rainiest of days) is to find a friend who wears the same size shoe as you but is the opposite stance as you, and y'all just switch out shoes when the time is right.

The Sale Gear thread will definitely keep us rolling through this next wave of uncertainty. When a shop owner/employee shows up there with a discount code, please at least take a look if you're in the market for something.

Survive, and advance.

[123]

No one really knows what Trump will actually do and pass. Lots of very conservative think tanks seem to actually agree that his tariffs would likely raise inflation by at least .8% with the possible Mexico tariffs much, much higher. Its likely what he stated on the campaign trail won't happen the way he claimed because he literally just spews random shit and people eat it up and don't hold him accountable in any way.

Just adding that tariffs come straight from the Executive branch not needing Congress and could be seen as a negotiation tactic so while 60% is being thrown out a tariff much lower is possible

[BeachChicken]

True, but Congress introduced several challenges to Trump's 2018 tariffs and could do so again. Ultimately those tariffs had several exemptions and were lower than he claimed during his campaign and even after taking office. He seemed to often not know what he actually signed into law. https://www.csis.org/analysis/making-tariffs-great-again-does-president-trump-have-legal-authority-implement-new-tariffs

[S.]

I assume European decks will not be affected. Most brands have already been shipping boards to the EU directly from China. BBS boards are probably gonna get very rare though.

Maybe there will be more European Woodshops? Unless the EU are going to react with tariffs on US products. Then we European skaters are fucked.

[Blinded]

One of my friends works at one of the ports and they had a "major" meeting today about the tariffs. They're bracing for massive imports before he steps into office. Seems like everyone is trying to land their goods before the bill gets passed. Wonder what brands and skate shops are going to be affected by all of this.

[garbage_wagon]

Loads of EU brands soft goods are made here, HLC wood apparently is decent now, so not worried about the impact on us. I can skate film trucks and pay over a bit more in a few years when i run out of spitfires for them. Apparently the DLX china wood is good to according to various reviews I've read on here so no need to worry EU pals.

I live in the states and have been happy with the HLC decks I’ve had.
Happy they set up shop in TX. I know Skate Warehouse is using US made HLC blanks. Can’t bring myself to spend $75+ on a DLX deck.

[back smith]

Tariffs raise prices for the consumer, Economics 101

[GT]

American companies can produce in America again. Maybe it'll save them some money??