(PCMag)
If you’ve been interested in owning a 3D printer, consider buying it now. A research firm has found that vendors have been stocking up on consumer-grade 3D printers to try and get ahead of Trump’s tariffs on China.
The research firm, Context, spotted the surge in entry-level 3D printers under the price of $2,500 during the Q1 period, as Trump began announcing tariffs on Chinese imports.
“Entry-level shipments surged, rising 15% YoY (year-over-year),” Context wrote in the research note. In total, the industry shipped over a million units globally, and it looks like much of it came from Chinese vendors, which specialize in affordable 3D printers for consumers that cost around $300.
“This growth was almost entirely driven by shipment pull-in as vendors, channel partners and end-users accelerated purchases in anticipation of US tariffs on Chinese goods,” Context wrote. “Chinese vendors accounted for 95% of all Entry-level printers shipped globally in the quarter.”
Stocking up on 3D printers provides some cushion room for retailers and vendors to avoid instituting price hikes. But once their stock runs out in the US, they’ll need to start paying hefty fees on new shipments, forcing them to likely raise prices. Currently, Trump has been imposing a 30% tariff across most Chinese imports after reaching a temporary truce with Beijing. In addition, the US is imposing a 54% duty on packages from China valued at under $800 that were previously exempt from such import fees.
The problem is that the "filament" needed to feed 3D printers tends to come from China. So it'll be hard for 3D printer users to avoid the tariffs over time unless Trump shifts gear on his trade policy.
In the meantime, Context noted that more expensive 3D printers for professionals and factories actually saw decreased shipments in Q1, likely due to the unstable economy and high interest rates.
“Overall system revenues grew by 5% year-on-year (YoY), due entirely to a 22% increase in revenues from Entry-level printers as consumers and channel partners made purchases to get ahead of threatened tariffs,” the research firm added.