AYN Halts US Shipments Amid Trade Policy Changes
AYN, the manufacturer behind the acclaimed Odin 2 series of handheld gaming devices, is set to halt shipments to the United States, effective April 25th. This decision arrives amidst a turbulent period for the retro gaming handheld market, marked by evolving trade policies and escalating tariffs.
The announcement, originating from a customer interaction with AYN's customer support on Discord, indicates that the company will cease shipments to the US market while it explores alternative shipping solutions. The temporary suspension follows Hongkong Post's impending halt of package acceptance bound for the US.
AYN is currently committed to fulfilling existing orders, including those placed through the Indiegogo campaign for the Odin 2 Portal, along with base, indigo, and white Pro models. The company intends to pause shipments for approximately one week while seeking viable shipping alternatives.
Industry-Wide Impact
AYN's decision mirrors similar actions taken by other players in the retro gaming handheld space. Retroid, purportedly under the same parent company as AYN, is expediting the fulfillment of pre-orders for its Pocket Flip 2 and Classic models. Likewise, Anbernic has declared a cessation of shipments to the US, although it maintains some inventory within its US-based warehouse.
The challenges stem from the elimination of the de minimis exemption, coupled with substantial tariffs, potentially leading to increased costs for US consumers. This exemption previously allowed goods below a certain value to enter the country duty-free. The suspension of this exemption will likely result in buyers being charged significantly higher fees, potentially exceeding 100% of the declared value of the goods.
The situation remains fluid, with the implications of the evolving US trade policies subject to change. AYN hopes to resume shipping to the US by May 5th, pending the establishment of a suitable alternative shipping channel. The full impact of these changes on the retro gaming handheld market and consumers remains to be seen, as the industry navigates this period of uncertainty.
Source: AndroidAuthority