Tariffs on Chinese Imports: How Print, Books & Toys Are Being Affected
International trade relations are in flux – particularly noticeable for companies importing books, toys, or print products from China. New tariffs and tax regulations are making business with the Far East not only more expensive, but also riskier and slower. This is shaking up the industry – and opening up opportunities for regional providers.
What Exactly Is Affected?
The new import tariffs apply to a wide range of product categories, including:
- Books (especially high-volume offset production),
- Toys (particularly plastic items and electronic toys),
- Print products (such as packaging, instruction manuals or catalogues).
These tariffs are often part of political measures aimed at reducing economic dependencies or responding to market distortions. At the same time, administrative requirements for imports are increasing – ranging from sustainability documentation (such as the EU Deforestation Regulation) to fiscal reporting obligations.
What Changes Are Industry Players Seeing?
Many companies report:
- Longer delivery times, due to stricter customs procedures,
- Higher import costs, squeezing profit margins,
- Greater planning uncertainty, as regulations change frequently,
- Logistical challenges, such as container shortages or port congestion.
This is especially evident in the toy sector. EU imports of toys from China rose steadily between 2013 and 2023, peaking at over €5.4 billion in 2023 – but saw a decline in 2024, reflecting the impact of rising tariffs and logistical bottlenecks.
Despite this, China still accounted for 80% of all EU toy imports in 2023, far surpassing other countries like Vietnam, Germany, and the Czech Republic:
The Impact of Tariffs
A significant example of these rising costs can be seen in tariffs on paper products. In 2025, tariffs on imports from China exceed 120%, while imports from other countries like India or Mexico are subject to far lower duties – or none at all if duty-free agreements apply:
Additionally, China lags behind other major trade partners in terms of duty-free access to the EU. Only about 45% of Chinese imports enter the EU duty-free, compared to over 70% for the UK and Vietnam:
The Comeback of Local Production
This shift has a clear consequence: the demand for local, sustainable alternatives is growing. More and more businesses are turning to:
- Print-on-demand instead of mass production in Asia – avoiding overproduction and storage costs,
- Nearshoring solutions, such as manufacturing in Europe or Mexico.
- Regional packaging providers, offering short turnaround times and certified quality.
One example: Elanders Print & Packaging delivers precisely these solutions – from personalised digital print and sustainable packaging to just-in-time fulfilment with API connectivity to customer systems. Regulatory standards such as FSC certification or carbon-neutral shipping are already part of the standard offering.
Conclusion: Turning a Challenge into an Opportunity
The new tariffs and regulations are making imports from China more difficult – that’s a fact. But those who think flexibly and embrace regional production can turn this challenge into a competitive advantage: with shorter routes, lower risks, and true partnership on equal footing.
Ready to explore how Elanders can help your business navigate these changes and thrive? Contact us today for a consultation and discover our regional print, packaging, and fulfilment solutions tailored to your needs.