2025 Tariff Update from Carbon Systems

April 10, 2025

Note: This information is current as of April 10, 2025. We will continue to update our partners as the situation evolves.

At Carbon Systems, our goal has always been to make hardware simpler, more predictable, and more profitable for MSPs. That includes being upfront when external factors—like the current tariff changes—have the potential to impact pricing or availability.

We’ve seen a lot of confusion and speculation around the 2025 tariffs, so we want to share where things currently stand, what we’re watching closely, and what we’re doing to support our partners through it all.

What’s Happening with Tariffs?

Earlier this year, the U.S. government introduced a new round of tariffs on goods manufactured in China. Electronics and computer components are among the affected categories.

As of now:

• A 20% tariff is in effect on many China-sourced products, implemented through two 10% increases on February 1 and March 3, 2025 (Dentons – U.S. Tariff Update).

• A separate 25% tariff exemption from earlier rounds (2018–2019) is scheduled to expire on June 14, 2025, potentially pushing tariffs on some goods to 45% (Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg – Tariff Exemptions Expiring).

The electronics industry is particularly vulnerable because so many subcomponents—PCBs, enclosures, wiring, fans—are either produced in or routed through China.

What This Means for MSPs

Tariffs affect more than just the directly taxed items. They have ripple effects across the entire supply chain:

• Higher subcomponent and materials costs are already being reported by component vendors and ODMs (EE Times – Supply Chain Impact).

• Finished products with partial Chinese sourcing may see indirect cost increases as OEMs adjust for rising BOM costs (ACDI – Reshoring & Cost Structures).

• Manufacturers are shifting production out of China to mitigate exposure, but these transitions take time and can limit short-term supply (New York Post – Apple Supplier Shift).

• Broader inflationary effects are anticipated across shipping, labor, and logistics in the electronics sector (Southern Illinois University – Tariff Effects on Supply Chains).

We’re seeing price increases across the board, but it’s not always clear how much is due to tariffs versus general economic pressure or opportunistic pricing by other vendors.

Our Approach at Carbon Systems

We’re taking a deliberate, data-driven approach—no panic, no pressure tactics. Here’s how we’re navigating this:

• Holding Prices Steady While We Evaluate
  No immediate price changes are being made due to tariffs. We're committed to understanding long-term impact before acting.

• Strategic Inventory Use
  We’re using existing stock to absorb cost pressures in the short term while supply lines stabilize.

• Active Supplier Communication
  We’re working closely with our ODMs and component vendors to understand their strategies and timelines.

• Transparent, Partner-Centric Decisions
  Any changes that do occur will come with transparency and lead time—not hidden markups.

What We Know So Far (Product-Specific View)

We’re still evaluating the impact at the component level, but here’s what we’re monitoring:

Component Type Current Status Motherboards Cost pressure emerging; too early to say if it’ll translate into price hikes. CPUs Minimal impact—most come from non-tariffed regions (e.g., Taiwan, Malaysia). Memory & Storage Market-driven increases expected; largely unrelated to tariffs directly. GPUs / Accelerators Early indicators of 10–20% increases; mixed causes (demand + tariff overlap). Power Supplies & Chassis Directly affected—China is a primary source. Impacts likely, but TBD. Fans & Cooling Supply chain still stabilizing; cost changes expected to be minor overall. Carbon Systems Services No changes—warranty, support, and logistics remain stable.

We’ll continue to absorb short-term volatility where possible and only adjust pricing when the data supports it.

Looking Ahead: June 14 and Beyond

The June 14 expiration of key tariff exemptions could push total costs up dramatically for a wide range of electronics components (STR Trade – Exemption Details).

We’re watching this deadline closely and taking proactive steps, including:

• Reviewing long-lead inventory needs

• Exploring domestic sourcing options

• Engaging ODMs for cost projections

• Planning pricing with contingencies, not guesses

What You Can Do Now

There’s no need to panic—but if you have critical hardware needs coming up, this is a good time to talk strategy with your Channel Account Manager.

• Send us your forecasts – Even rough projections help us protect pricing and availability.

• Plan key projects early – If hardware is needed in late Q2 or early Q3, consider securing it before June.

• Stay looped in – We’ll continue to share updates so you can plan and budget with confidence.

In Closing

We’re here to help you navigate this—not just with hardware, but with clear communication, planning support, and real-world options. If you have questions, let’s talk. We appreciate the trust you place in Carbon Systems—and we’re going to keep earning it.

Let’s navigate this together.
—The Carbon Systems Team