Summary
Popular third-party peripheral brand8BitDohas hit the pause button on shipments to the US for its lineup of controllers for Switch and Xbox consoles. The company stated that the Trump administration’s 145% tariff on imports from China is the reason behind the temporary pause on 8BitDo peripheral shipments, though US customers can still purchase items that are already at the company’s US warehouse.
The news of 8BitDo’s temporary shipment pause is the latest to come as a result of the Trump administration’s ongoing tariffs against China’s imports. As of this writing, the US government still maintains a 145% tariff on China across the board. Although other nations face tariffs, the Trump administration administered a temporary blanket tariff of 10% on goods from nations like Vietnam and Cambodia. Due to the Trump tariffs and their effects on the global economy,Microsoft announced a price hike on Xbox Series X/S consoles, games, and accessories effective May 1. The Xbox Series X saw a $100 price bump to $600, while the Series S now goes for $380.
With the tariffs still in place, 8BitDo announced that shipments from its China-based warehouse will temporarily be withheld from reaching US shores.As reported by Polygon, orders from 8BitDo’s website from its Chinese warehouse will not go through if the delivery address is based in the US. The temporary pause is on specific controllers, including therecently released 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controllerwith TMR stick sensors. However, US-based customers can still place orders for goods that are already at 8BitDo’s US-based warehouses.
8BitDo Temporarily Pausing US Shipments From China Due To Trump Tariffs
The only way to check is to add an item to the cart and see if the shipping address will work. Alternatively,8BitDo controllers are still available via retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon. Users looking to purchase an 8BitDo peripheral,like the budget-friendly Ultimate 2C Controller, should check each storefront while supplies last. Although the gaming industry continues to feel the impact of the Trump administration’s tariffs, 8BitDo is not the only company to put a temporary pause on shipments to the US.
On April 9,Square Enix announced that it had temporarily paused pre-orderson specific merchandise shipments to the US and Canada amid the company’s concerns about the Trump tariffs. Though no timetable was given for when Square Enix merchandise shipments would return to North America, the company’s game sales remain unaffected by the tariffs. Only time will tell when 8BitDo will also resume shipments of its products from China to the US.
8BitDo Ultimate 2C Bluetooth Switch Controller
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C is an affordable Bluetooth Switch controller with surprising capabilities. Gamers benefit from two extra remappable buttons adjacent to the standard top triggers and bumpers. Despite its competitive pricing, the Ultimate 2C features durable and drift-resistant Hall Effect analog sticks. The D-pad also provides satisfying responses to inputs while allowing for smooth motion. Players will also enjoy rumble effects, 6-axis motion control, and turbo mode. To preserve its 15-hour battery life, the Ultimate 2C can turn off until it detects movement.
8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller with Charging Dock
This wireless Bluetooth controller from 8BitDo represents the height of wireless gaming. Compatible with Switch and Steam Deck via the Bluetooth/2.4g adapter/USB Cable, the controller comes with top-tier hardware such as hall effect sensing joysticks and two programmable paddle buttons on the back. The controller also comes with a charging dock, though with a 22-hour battery life, it may not be needed often.
8Bitdo Ultimate Wired Controller for Xbox Series X
Ultimate control, style, and performance, all for a great price. Customize button mapping, stick & trigger sensitivity, vibration control, and more with 8BitDo Ultimate Software on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows, iOS, and Android.