Tariffs Drive Up Prices of China-Made Products Sold on Amazon

Chinese products on Amazon rose 2.6% between January and June, outpacing inflation in basic goods.

This increase reflects the direct impact of U.S. tariffs on China, hitting consumers’ wallets.

Experts warn of further hikes due to new tariffs on steel and other key inputs, which could push Amazon prices even higher.

Buying Chinese products on Amazon is no longer as cheap as it used to be. A recent analysis found that prices climbed 2.6% between January and June, outstripping inflation in basic goods.

The main reason: U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, which are increasingly being felt in the final prices consumers pay.

Chinese Products on Amazon and the Tariff Effect

Tariffs Drive Up Prices of China-Made Products Sold on Amazon – PHOTO: Canva

According to an exclusive study by data firm DataWeave for Reuters, 1,407 Chinese products on Amazon saw an average price increase of 2.6% in less than six months. Meanwhile, inflation for basic goods was just 1% during the same period.

The price hike accelerated in May and June. Household goods and furniture rose 3.5%, while electronics like printers and shredders increased by an average of 3.1%. China remains a massive exporter: in 2024 alone, it sold over $438 billion in goods to the U.S.

The study reviewed over 25,000 items but focused on those confirmed to be of Chinese origin. Some concrete examples: an electric kettle jumped from $49.99 to $73.21, and a frying pan doubled in price. This shows how import costs are being passed on to prices on Amazon and other online retailers.

How This Price Increase Affects Hispanic Families

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For many Hispanic families in the U.S., Amazon is a go-to place to find good deals on household items, school supplies, or electronics. The price hikes on Chinese goods mean higher spending on basic purchases, just as inflation and interest rates are already straining household budgets.

Moreover, the increases are not uniform. Some products have dropped or remained stable in price, but the most essential items — home, kitchen, office — have surged the most. This forces consumers to shop around more, postpone purchases, or absorb the extra cost, which hits larger families particularly hard.

What the Experts Say

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“What we’re seeing in June is the first broad-based price increase, as sellers start adjusting to higher landing costs,” said Karthik Bettadapura, CEO of DataWeave.

“We believe many businesses are choosing to delay price hikes,” explained Claudio Irigoyen, economist at Bank of America Securities.

What’s Next for Prices of China-Made Products on Amazon

The U.S. already imposes tariffs of 10% in general, 50% on steel and aluminum, and 25% on cars and auto parts. Additionally, as of late June, there are new extra tariffs on steel, which could further raise prices for kitchenware, small appliances, and other essentials.

Chinese products on Amazon are already getting more expensive — and they could keep rising. For Hispanic families in the U.S., this means planning purchases more carefully and preparing to pay higher prices for goods imported from Asia.