It looks like new US tariff taxes are starting to impact synth prices, with some prices jumping close to 70%.
The Trump administration recently announced a wide range of tax increases on goods imported into the US. The new tariffs promise to hit instrument prices hard, unfortunately, since almost all synths and electronic music gear is now either made in China, or made with Chinese parts.
People are reporting that pricing on Behringer gear spiked significantly overnight at some retailers. Here are a few examples:
- Behringer Poly D Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer – was $569, now $629
- Behringer Wave – was $599, now $689
- Behringer Swing USB MIDI Keyboard Controller – was $99, now $169
- Behringer Pro VS Mini Hybrid Vector Synthesizer – was $99, now $119
- Behringer JT-4000 Micro Hybrid Modeling Synthesizer – was $49, now $70.90
- Behringer UB-Xa 16-voice Bi-timbral Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer – was $999, now $1299
- Behringer System 55 Eurorack Modular Synthesizer – was $1,599, now $1,899
It’s not clear yet how broadly tariffs will impact pricing across the music gear industry, but this is probably a taste of what’s to come.
What do you think about the new taxes and their impact on music gear prices in the US? A necessary evil? Bad economic policy? Opportunistic price gouging? Share your thoughts in the comments!
My opinion of Trump’s economic policy would attract the attention of the FBI, so, no comment.
What should be done? What is your alternative economic policy?
It doesn’t seem like this will break the bank for those who were considering buying one of these synths.
I voted for Trump and I would do it again, sorry for your +20 bucks on synths, lmao
I guess it was voted for so the majority should be happy, eh?
Majority (uneducated hobos) that voted for this “person” is the reflection of this country.
That’s ok. His voters don’t make music; if they do, I hope they realize they voted for this.
Seems fair. I’m in the UK and if I buy a US synth I have to pay a 20% tariff on it (VAT).
You’d pay VAT on a synth in the UK, no matter where it is made, even if made in the UK.
(Subject to the retailer being liable for VAT, which in the UK is if the retailed has a taxable turnover of greater than £90k. Some small, boutique retailers, such as, maunfacturers sellign direct, might not charge VAT.)
VAT is a consumption tax, not an import tariff. You pay VAT on all goods, whether they’re made in the UK or abroad. Tariffs are additional.
The USA also has consumption tax in the form of state sales tax. It varies from zero percent in Alaska to 7.25% in California.
Seeing how the original prices could never be maintained without a workforce essentially willing to work long hours for “room and board” like some kind of turn of the century sweat shop, I can’t say I’m sad.
…and that’s why i cancelled my 3 year old preorder. screw these smoot-hawley nutjobs.
Yep. It’s called, “congrats fuckos!”
That’s why I bought a ton of gear back in Dec.
Elect a clown, expect a circus.
Waaaaahhhhhh!!!!! Next time, maybe the Democrats will run a candidate who can answer questions and do press conferences, a candidate who doesn’t stink.
Haw haw!
Whatever way you slice it those are still ridiculously low prices
Hardly worth complaining about
Yes those prices are great