UPDATE 5/5 1:55 PM: Right after we published this piece, we were informed that Retroid is encouraging customers who live in the US and DHL is requesting a fee, to “contact Retroid CS right away, so they can handle it with DHL.” 

With the first deadline now behind us, we began wondering how long it would take to see what kind of ripple effect would appear. It didn’t take long, as there are already posts on various subreddits showing off tariff bills.

One of those Reddit posts, simply titled “crashing out“, shows a DHL shipment tracking page with a warning about an “import duty” being due. Not all that surprising or shocking until you make it to the end of the second sentence and see that this person will need to pay an extra $1,330 in order for their package to be delivered.

via r/Retroid

However, we’re taking this post with a grain of salt, as the original poster has not replied to any messages about what was ordered or when. Plus, it’s not exactly difficult to doctor up a screenshot just for the sake of some Reddit updoots.

That being said, another post on the r/Retroid subreddit shows an email with a similar message. However, this one provides a bit more information, confirming that the package was indeed arriving from Retroid’s warehouse in China. It also shows an “import duty” fee of just over $400. Unlike the previous post, the original poster shared that they “ordered a retroid flip 2 with case and button replacements, total around $270.”

via r/Retroid

There does seem to be a bit of confusion over what Retroid previously said when all of the shipping questions came to pass. Instead of halting shipments like we’ve seen from Powkiddy and others, Retroid announced it would be “adjusting its shipping method” resulting in a $20 increase to shipping costs.

It appears that some took this as meaning this was Retroid’s way of trying to get around the import duty tariffs. Unfortunately, unless you or a company jump through a bunch of hoops or do something nefarious, there’s really no way to avoid the extra costs. Which also means that it won’t matter what company handles the transportation of your devices.

Handhelds Tariff Roundup

We expect to see many more posts like these in the coming days and weeks, so be prepared to see your Reddit feed clogged up. In the meantime, all we can do is hope that something drastic changes and brings an end to this situation. Otherwise, dark days are ahead for not just our hobby, but basically everything around us.

What did you think of this article? Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!

This page may contain affiliate links, by purchasing something through a link, Retro Handhelds may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you.