Hey friends,
I usually don’t get into political stuff on here — this is our cozy corner of the internet for tiny chairs and tiny dreams. But this time, I felt like I had to say something. Because this? It’s hitting our mini world in a very real way.
📸 I’ve added a screenshot from Robotime (Rolife), where they explain that prices for their kits in the U.S. are going up — by 5 to 20%, starting now. Why? You guessed it: new U.S. import tariffs on Chinese goods.
And let’s be honest — Robotime won’t be the only one. I’ve already seen folks ordering from Temu or Amazon, only to get hit with surprise tariff fees at checkout. Some are paying double what they expected. That’s… a lot of money for what was supposed to be an affordable hobby.
So what’s going on?
➡️ As long as Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports are in place, buying kits or miniatures made in China is likely going to stay expensive for people in the U.S.
And for many of us who love this hobby but live on a budget — it’s frustrating.
So what now? A few thoughts:
🧡 Buy local if you can.
There are amazing U.S.-based miniature artists and sellers on Etsy, for example — they may cost a little more upfront than a $3 Temu piece, but there are no surprise fees, the quality is usually higher, and you support someone’s small business dream. That’s worth it!
Here’s how to find local listings on Etsy:
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In search results, click “All Filters”
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Scroll to “Shop location”
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Choose “United States” (or your own country if you’re outside the U.S.)
🧾 Stick to digital products (for now)
Printables — like wallpaper, rugs, signage, and more — have zero import taxes because they’re digital. You can still decorate and DIY to your heart’s content without worrying about surprise costs.
👉 For example, here’s my own little printable store if you want to browse:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EverythingVerySmall
🤔 And who knows? Maybe things will cool off politically and tariffs will be lifted again. But until then, let’s support each other, share affordable ideas, and keep our hobby going strong.
Your turn!
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Have you been hit with unexpected tariffs when ordering kits or minis?
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Do you already shop local on Etsy? Got any favorite U.S.-based shops to recommend?
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Would you consider switching to mostly printables for a while?
Let’s chat 👇 — I’d love to hear what you all think.
Kind regards,
Lizzy
