WASHINGTON—Pleasure product manufacturers say they are monitoring the trade war between the U.S. and China closely as the higher tariffs on imports begin taking a toll on the supply chain.
China, which has been a manufacturing hub for the sex toy industry for decades, “now faces up to a 245 percent tariff,” according to the latest communications from the White House. In response, China has raised tariffs on U.S. goods to 125 percent.
Dame last week launched a viral campaign, “clapping back” at President Donald Trump's tariffs by adding a "tariff surcharge" to its e-commerce checkout window for all carts that have vibrator purchases.
Dame founder Alexandra Fine told AVN this is her company's way of showing her customers how Trump's protectionism impacts them as her company’s manufacturing supply chain is almost entirely sourced from China.
After the Trump administration’s sweeping implementation of so-called “reciprocal tariffs” on virtually every country in the world, Trump has since pressed pause for at least 90 days while negotiations with individual countries are underway. China remains a notable exception to the pause, however.
Founders such as Fine say it’s a fluid situation.
“To be honest, we want to do more education,” she says. “It is also really nuanced to explain. But the surcharge was the simplest way to make the joke. Each product is unique and different, and depending on where that product is sold, it has different landed costs.”
Our Erotic Journey (OEJ) announced last Friday that it has no intention of raising prices for at least six months.
James Guo, director at Our Erotic Journey, remarks, “Even with the tariffs in place, OEJ guarantees there will be no price increases for the next six months. ... Our priority is our partners, distributors, and customers—and we intend to weather this challenge with as little disruption as possible.”
“These tariffs are wide-reaching and impact independent wellness brands like ours that rely on global manufacturing partnerships,” Guo continues. “We remain committed to transparency, flexibility and supporting our wholesale and retail partners every step of the way.”
Brian Sloan, the inventor of Autoblow, expresses more alarm.
“[It] defies logic that reviving American manufacturing requires bankrupting American entrepreneurs and their Chinese business partners,” Sloan says. “I am hoping that cooler heads prevail as soon as possible.”
Sloan, who runs a sex tech firm that has pioneered artificial intelligence built for simulated blowjobs, lived in China for a decade and developed his brand there with his team of engineers and business partners.
Another element to consider is how the Trump administration is preparing to levy tariff hikes on semiconductors. In high-tech manufacturing that includes the sex tech product sector, the importance of semiconductors is paramount in the assembly processes.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed a Section 232 investigation, under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the executive branch to restrict imports deemed a threat to national security. Semiconductors are being investigated under Section 232, meaning it could negatively impact manufacturing.
Meanwhile, COTR CEO and founder Alicia Sinclair Rosen was recently featured in a Wired report titled “Your Favorite Sex Toy Brand Might Go Under.”
Rosen says that COTR—the manufacturer of well-known brands such as Le Wand, b-Vibe and The Cowgirl—is navigating the volatile trade environment with caution.
“At Le Wand and b-Vibe, we're taking a measured approach to the tariff situation,” Sinclair tells Wired. “While our products are manufactured in China, meaning tariffs will certainly impact our cost structure, we've deliberately maintained sufficient inventory to give ourselves time to evaluate the situation properly.”
With few product exemptions available and adult categories lumped into vague classifications like “massagers,” brands are facing steep increases in cost of goods with little warning or recourse, Wired notes.
