Latest news with #HalloweenandCostumeAssociation
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tariff truce sparks hopes for Halloween orders in China
Live Events YIWU, CHINA: A tariff truce between the United States and China is helping kickstart the resumption of trade between the countries but for manufacturers of Halloween decorations in the eastern Chinese city of Yiwu feelings are Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports, which reached 145% in April, prompted waves of U.S. customers to suspend or delay orders for festive decorations, disrupting business for the likes of Lou Xiaobo, whose company Xubo relies on the U.S. for 20% of 25-year-old, whose family has been making Halloween decorations in Yiwu for 28 years, warned they would have to scramble to produce and ship their hanging skeletons and costume props to America in time for the October 31 are weighing up the cost of the new 30% tariff rate and although he is expecting orders, Lou is also warning customers his business cannot produce more complex made-to-order products in time."I don't think because tariffs are lowered; we should be happy, because they have already delayed our production time," he told Reuters from his family's store at Yiwu's sprawling wholesale market."In these two months we have lost (to tariffs), we can produce about 500,000 yuan of goods, but now I only have 200,000 yuan...I'm not happy just because tariffs have been lowered."His comments point to how the damage has been done for many Chinese manufacturers that rely on the U.S. market. While they say the truce has brought hope that orders will return, uncertainty still exists given the current 90-day time limit on lower tariffs and the Trump administration's manufactures the majority of festive decorations the U.S. buys, not just for Halloween but for other events such as the Fourth of July and Christmas."The tariffs were implemented at the utmost worst time for the Halloween manufacturer, as product was either finished and on a boat being held up, or in some stage of production that was halted," said Robert Berman , a board member of the Halloween and Costume Association and the CEO of Imposta Costumes."China for many in the Halloween industry creates a one and done system," he added. "Yes, we can diversify and find new countries, but this will take years, and many of us are too far along to make any changes for 2025."Another exporter of Halloween masks, who only gave her surname as Ma, said she was hopeful that customers would now place orders, though she believes her overall exporting business turnover will be much lower than last year."If people order now, to ship it in June or July, it probably won't be too late, but if we don't have these in stock, which means they have to be made to order, we won't be able to get them in stock for Halloween," she said."Anyway, I definitely hope they don't start up the trade war again!"
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tariff truce sparks hopes for Halloween orders in China
By Casey Hall and Nicoco Chan YIWU, China (Reuters) -A tariff truce between the United States and China is helping kickstart the resumption of trade between the countries but for manufacturers of Halloween decorations in the eastern Chinese city of Yiwu feelings are mixed. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports, which reached 145% in April, prompted waves of U.S. customers to suspend or delay orders for festive decorations, disrupting business for the likes of Lou Xiaobo, whose company Xubo relies on the U.S. for 20% of sales. The 25-year-old, whose family has been making Halloween decorations in Yiwu for 28 years, warned they would have to scramble to produce and ship their hanging skeletons and costume props to America in time for the October 31 holiday. Customers are weighing up the cost of the new 30% tariff rate and although he is expecting orders, Lou is also warning customers his business cannot produce more complex made-to-order products in time. "I don't think because tariffs are lowered; we should be happy, because they have already delayed our production time," he told Reuters from his family's store at Yiwu's sprawling wholesale market. "In these two months we have lost (to tariffs), we can produce about 500,000 yuan of goods, but now I only have 200,000 yuan...I'm not happy just because tariffs have been lowered." His comments point to how the damage has been done for many Chinese manufacturers that rely on the U.S. market. While they say the truce has brought hope that orders will return, uncertainty still exists given the current 90-day time limit on lower tariffs and the Trump administration's unpredictability. China manufactures the majority of festive decorations the U.S. buys, not just for Halloween but for other events such as the Fourth of July and Christmas. "The tariffs were implemented at the utmost worst time for the Halloween manufacturer, as product was either finished and on a boat being held up, or in some stage of production that was halted," said Robert Berman, a board member of the Halloween and Costume Association and the CEO of Imposta Costumes. "China for many in the Halloween industry creates a one and done system," he added. "Yes, we can diversify and find new countries, but this will take years, and many of us are too far along to make any changes for 2025." Another exporter of Halloween masks, who only gave her surname as Ma, said she was hopeful that customers would now place orders, though she believes her overall exporting business turnover will be much lower than last year. "If people order now, to ship it in June or July, it probably won't be too late, but if we don't have these in stock, which means they have to be made to order, we won't be able to get them in stock for Halloween," she said. "Anyway, I definitely hope they don't start up the trade war again!" Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Reuters
14-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Tariff truce sparks hopes for Halloween orders in China
YIWU, China, May 14 (Reuters) - A tariff truce between the United States and China is helping kickstart the resumption of trade between the countries but for manufacturers of Halloween decorations in the eastern Chinese city of Yiwu feelings are mixed. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports, which reached 145% in April, prompted waves of U.S. customers to suspend or delay orders for festive decorations, disrupting business for the likes of Lou Xiaobo, whose company Xubo relies on the U.S. for 20% of sales. The 25-year-old, whose family has been making Halloween decorations in Yiwu for 28 years, warned they would have to scramble to produce and ship their hanging skeletons and costume props to America in time for the October 31 holiday. Customers are weighing up the cost of the new 30% tariff rate and although he is expecting orders, Lou is also warning customers his business cannot produce more complex made-to-order products in time. "I don't think because tariffs are lowered; we should be happy, because they have already delayed our production time," he told Reuters from his family's store at Yiwu's sprawling wholesale market. "In these two months we have lost (to tariffs), we can produce about 500,000 yuan of goods, but now I only have 200,000 yuan...I'm not happy just because tariffs have been lowered." His comments point to how the damage has been done for many Chinese manufacturers that rely on the U.S. market. While they say the truce has brought hope that orders will return, uncertainty still exists given the current 90-day time limit on lower tariffs and the Trump administration's unpredictability. China manufactures the majority of festive decorations the U.S. buys, not just for Halloween but for other events such as the Fourth of July and Christmas. "The tariffs were implemented at the utmost worst time for the Halloween manufacturer, as product was either finished and on a boat being held up, or in some stage of production that was halted," said Robert Berman, a board member of the Halloween and Costume Association and the CEO of Imposta Costumes. "China for many in the Halloween industry creates a one and done system," he added. "Yes, we can diversify and find new countries, but this will take years, and many of us are too far along to make any changes for 2025." Another exporter of Halloween masks, who only gave her surname as Ma, said she was hopeful that customers would now place orders, though she believes her overall exporting business turnover will be much lower than last year. "If people order now, to ship it in June or July, it probably won't be too late, but if we don't have these in stock, which means they have to be made to order, we won't be able to get them in stock for Halloween," she said. "Anyway, I definitely hope they don't start up the trade war again!"
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tariff truce sparks hopes for Halloween orders in China
By Casey Hall and Nicoco Chan YIWU, China (Reuters) -A tariff truce between the United States and China is helping kickstart the resumption of trade between the countries but for manufacturers of Halloween decorations in the eastern Chinese city of Yiwu feelings are mixed. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports, which reached 145% in April, prompted waves of U.S. customers to suspend or delay orders for festive decorations, disrupting business for the likes of Lou Xiaobo, whose company Xubo relies on the U.S. for 20% of sales. The 25-year-old, whose family has been making Halloween decorations in Yiwu for 28 years, warned they would have to scramble to produce and ship their hanging skeletons and costume props to America in time for the October 31 holiday. Customers are weighing up the cost of the new 30% tariff rate and although he is expecting orders, Lou is also warning customers his business cannot produce more complex made-to-order products in time. "I don't think because tariffs are lowered; we should be happy, because they have already delayed our production time," he told Reuters from his family's store at Yiwu's sprawling wholesale market. "In these two months we have lost (to tariffs), we can produce about 500,000 yuan of goods, but now I only have 200,000 yuan...I'm not happy just because tariffs have been lowered." His comments point to how the damage has been done for many Chinese manufacturers that rely on the U.S. market. While they say the truce has brought hope that orders will return, uncertainty still exists given the current 90-day time limit on lower tariffs and the Trump administration's unpredictability. China manufactures the majority of festive decorations the U.S. buys, not just for Halloween but for other events such as the Fourth of July and Christmas. "The tariffs were implemented at the utmost worst time for the Halloween manufacturer, as product was either finished and on a boat being held up, or in some stage of production that was halted," said Robert Berman, a board member of the Halloween and Costume Association and the CEO of Imposta Costumes. "China for many in the Halloween industry creates a one and done system," he added. "Yes, we can diversify and find new countries, but this will take years, and many of us are too far along to make any changes for 2025." Another exporter of Halloween masks, who only gave her surname as Ma, said she was hopeful that customers would now place orders, though she believes her overall exporting business turnover will be much lower than last year. "If people order now, to ship it in June or July, it probably won't be too late, but if we don't have these in stock, which means they have to be made to order, we won't be able to get them in stock for Halloween," she said. "Anyway, I definitely hope they don't start up the trade war again!" Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
That $20 Halloween costume you bought for your kid last year will cost $40 in 2025, warns industry trade group
Retailers are pausing or cancelling orders for Halloween and Christmas decorations. Surcharges from tariffs are causing the action, which could result in a tremendous price spike as the holidays approach. Costumes that sold for $20 last year will likely be double that amount in 2025, industry officials warn. While Donald Trump has hinted a tariff deal with China could be in the works, manufacturers are warning that if the duties remain in place, it could make the end of year holidays a lot less joyful. The Halloween and Costume Association warns tariffs could double the price of costumes. Toy companies, meanwhile, are growing worried about the possible price of toys for Christmas, and Christmas decorations could see price increases along the same lines as Halloween costumes. 'This is an existential moment for our industry,' said Robert Berman, Halloween & Costume Association Board Member and President of Rasta Impasta/Imposta Costumes. 'Halloween isn't like other holidays. If products don't land on time or become too expensive for families, Halloween simply doesn't happen. There is no backup plan.' Sounding an alarm about holidays in the fourth quarter might seem a bit premature, but retailers are already locking in orders for Halloween. Home Depot, last month, launched sales of select spooky decorations, such as its iconic 12-foot skeleton and a 15-foot animated scarecrow. Many of those products, like the costumes kids wear when they go trick or treating come from China. "These are goods that are weeks from shipping — not months," says Berman. And many retailers are cancelling orders or cutting volumes, the industry group says. Thanksgiving is less China dependent, since it's largely a food holiday, but Chinese manufacturers who specialize in Christmas decorations are seeing a slowdown in orders as well. One manufacturer told CNN eight out of 10 U.S. customers have canceled their contracts this year, even after they were offered discounts to help cover the tariffs. Chinese companies are the source of 87% of the Christmas decorations sold in the U.S., making up a $4 billion market. That also included artificial trees, which U.S. retail customers are also pausing orders on. "My peers and I rely on U.S. orders to survive," one business owner in China told Reuters. "This will inevitably affect a lot of people. No one can escape." This story was originally featured on Sign in to access your portfolio
