Overseas Print Costs Rise with US Tariffs

Foreign Print Costs Rise with US Tariffs

US Tariff, Including April 2, Hikes Foreign Print Costs

Written April 3, 2025
By Kraig Downham, Marketing Director, Printing Partners

If you’re printing with foreign suppliers, the printing industry landscape just shifted. New print tariffs from the United States, including the China print tariff and other overseas print tariff hikes effective April 2, 2025, mean your costs are going up.

The US tariff that effects print and April 2 tariff effects print hit goods from Canada Mexico and China and other trade partners. The impact of tariffs is clear: foreign print work now carries a bigger price tag. At Printing Partners in Indianapolis, we’re seeing businesses rethink their plans.

This article breaks down the tariff changes, touches on possible future increases, and shows why our U.S.-based print service—with long-standing ties to American paper and ink vendors—offers a cost-saving alternative.

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Current Print Tariffs:

Your Foreign Costs Are Climbing
On April 2, 2025, the China print tariff jumped from 10% to 20%. This affects books, puzzles, magazines, and more coming from China. It’s part of a wider US tariff that effects print, outlined by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and backed by the White House.

Price Hikes Hit Foreign Print Jobs

The 20% print tariff adds cost fast:

  • A $100 foreign print order now faces a $20 tariff, up from $10.
  • That’s a 10% cost increase on every job from China.

The same applies to Canada Mexico and China. Canada’s 25% tariffs are delayed but still loom, and retaliatory tariffs could push prices higher. Your foreign supply chains are taking a hit, and the impact of tariffs means you’re paying more today.

Why the April 2 Tariff Effects Your Bottom Line

The April 2 tariff effects print jobs by raising what you pay foreign suppliers. They might raise prices to cover the overseas print tariff, or you’ll eat the extra cost yourself.

Either way, your budget feels it. Printing Partners, with U.S. vendors for paper and ink, skips these tariffs entirely—keeping our print service prices steady.

A Possible 100% Foreign Print Tariff Looms

There’s talk of a 100% overseas print tariff ahead. The USTR’s September 2024 note suggested bigger hikes by 2025 or 2026, tied to reciprocal tariffs. If it happens, a $100 import could cost $200. That’s a risk to watch, but for now, the 20% China print tariff is the pressing issue driving costs up.
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Switch to U.S. Print Services and Save

With print tariffs like the China print tariff jacking up foreign prices, moving to a U.S. print service makes sense. Printing Partners in Indianapolis offers a solution that avoids international tariffs and keeps your costs down.

How Printing Partners Keeps Costs Low

  • Tariff-Free: No US tariff that effects print applies to our work.
  • Stable Supplies: Long-established ties with U.S. paper and ink vendors mean we dodge tariffs on raw materials.
  • Fast Service: Local printing cuts shipping delays from foreign supply chains.

We handle books, puzzles, catalogs, and more with no tariff markup. Check our setup at www.printingpartners.net/equipment-list. Businesses are already asking us to quote jobs they’re pulling from foreign suppliers.

Indianapolis: Your Printing Advantage

In Indianapolis, the crossroads of America, we save you time and money. Our central location beats coastal shipping costs and avoids retaliatory tariffs. With access to major highways and rail networks, Indianapolis ensures your print jobs move quickly across the U.S., cutting delivery times by days compared to ports like Los Angeles or New York. This efficiency means you get your projects faster without the delays often tied to international shipping.

Printing Partners takes full advantage of Indy’s benefits to deliver for you. Our established relationships with local vendors and our central hub position let us streamline production and distribution, keeping your costs low and your deadlines met.

Act Now as Tariffs Reshape Printing

The printing industry is changing fast. Tariffs on Canada Mexico and China mean foreign printing costs more now—and could rise further with reciprocal tariffs or delays. Printing Partners gives you a U.S.-based option that’s ready today.

Visit https://www.printingpartners.net/request-a-print-estimate/ to get a quote. Our print service skips the increased costs of foreign work, thanks to our American supply chain. Let’s bring your printing home and keep your budget intact.

Kraig Downham - Marketing Director - 2023 Headshot

About the Author

Kraig Downham is the Marketing Director at Printing Partners, a key player in offset commercial printing. Since 2005, he has contributed to marketing, design, and technology at Printing Partners. As a color expert, Kraig ensures high-quality prints. His work ethic and dedication come from a 10-year journey with 4-H. Learn more about Kraig's work at Printing Partners.

  • Article Written April 3, 2025