From Miniatures to Dice: How Tariffs Are Reshaping the Game Industry

Tabletop gaming is becoming more expensive in the U.S. as new tariffs on imports from Europe, China, and other key markets drive up costs across the industry.

From board games and figurines to paints and accessories, most hobby supplies sold in the U.S. are manufactured overseas. As a result, game stores are being hit with higher wholesale prices, and many are passing those increases on to customers.

Some items that once sold for $60 now retail for nearly $95. Retailers report that about 20% of their products have experienced price hikes of 5–20%.

U.S. production isn’t a realistic alternative in most cases, manufacturing capacity for tabletop games is limited, and specialty components like modeling paints often come from Europe.

Retailers and hobbyists alike say the bigger challenge is uncertainty: shifting policies make it harder to plan shipments, stock shelves, or price products fairly.

As the U.S. trade environment continues to evolve, small businesses and dedicated gamers are left wondering whether their favorite hobby will remain accessible and affordable.