No Products in the Cart
Free International Shipping | All Import Duties & VAT Included | No Surprise Fees
If you are a customer from the USA, you'll have likely noticed the increase in our prices. And if it's your first time shopping at Ploutone, you might be wondering why many of our products including pickguards, hardware, and wiring components are a bit higher than you'd expect. Well, as of May 1st, all incoming shipments from China will face 145% tariff rates. In simplistic terms, this means a product that once cost us $10 now costs us $24.50 upon entering the US.
With over 70% of industry products coming from China, and many of them with no alternative suppliers, this has left us no choice but to increase our prices significantly or stop selling these products all together. It was a hard decision to make, and I expect that our sales to USA customers will drop drastically, but I felt that it is only right to continuing offering our quality products at the best prices we can to fellow Americans, rather than only offer them to customers in other countries.
These new prices include free shipping and pre-paid duties on shipments from our international warehouse, so that there are no surprise fees upon entry. We are currently working on finding alternative suppliers and stocking more products at our US facilities to try and remediate some of these increased costs. However, many of our products are not manufactured outside of China, and logistically, we cannot stock all of our products within the USA.
It's unfortunate, but during these volatile and unpredictable times, it makes more sense for us to focus on catering to other markets while we let the dust settle in the United States. I have hope that these tariffs will not last long at their current levels. I have seen firsthand the damage it is doing to my fellow small business owners, and if they were to continue into the medium to long-term, we could see serious repercussions across the country.
On a more positive note, if you are from another country such as Europe, Australia, New Zealand, or Japan, you might be pleased to learn that we now offer free international shipping on a huge variety of our products! The prices you see include the shipping costs as well as pre-paid duties.
We want to thank our loyal US customers for your understanding during this challenging time. Rest assured, we're committed to maintaining the quality and craftsmanship you've come to expect from Ploutone, even as we navigate these economic hurdles. While we search for solutions to offset these tariff impacts, we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about new US-based inventory additions and any changes to our pricing structure.
For our international customers, we're excited to strengthen our relationship with you through our improved shipping policies. Your continued support helps us maintain a diverse global presence during this period of market adjustment.
As of today, April 8th, 2025, the Trump administration has announced a staggering 104% tariff on all Chinese-imported goods, set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. tonight. This abrupt policy shift is a devastating blow not only to the broader economy but especially to small businesses like Ploutone and others in the guitar industry.
Like many small retailers, Ploutone relies heavily on Chinese manufacturers for high-quality yet affordable products. For instance, most of our pickguards are sourced from China and stocked in our Guangzhou distribution hub. This supply chain strategy has enabled us to offer exceptional products at competitive prices while providing free shipping to our customers worldwide.
However, with these tariffs, everything changes overnight. The cost of importing goods will more than double, forcing us to make difficult decisions about pricing, inventory, and operations. This rapid escalation—just yesterday, tariffs were set at 54% starting May 1st—has left us scrambling to adapt. The lack of clarity and consistency in these policies has made it nearly impossible for small businesses like ours to plan ahead.
The reality is stark: if these tariffs remain in place, Ploutone may not survive through the end of the year. We are not alone in this struggle. Many small business owners I’ve spoken with are facing similar existential threats. These tariffs disproportionately affect smaller enterprises that lack the financial cushion or leverage of larger corporations to absorb such costs.
For example, businesses across industries are already scaling back operations, delaying shipments, or even discontinuing products due to rising costs and supply chain disruptions. Larger companies may negotiate with suppliers or shift production elsewhere, but such options are often out of reach for small businesses like ours.
If you’ve placed an order recently or plan to do so, please be aware that delays may occur as shipments get stuck in customs awaiting tariff payments. The infrastructure needed to process these fees is unclear at best, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already chaotic situation6.
Despite these challenges, I am committed to minimizing the impact on your experience as a customer. I will do everything possible to manage costs without compromising quality or service. However, some price increases may be unavoidable as we navigate this new reality.
These are trying times for all of us. I know that many of you will be tightening your budgets and prioritizing essentials over hobbies like music and gear. But if you are in the market for guitar-related products, I humbly ask that you consider supporting Ploutone or another small business in our industry. Your support could make all the difference in helping us weather this storm.
I deeply appreciate everyone who has been part of Ploutone’s journey so far. Sharing my passion for guitars with this incredible community has been a dream come true. I hope we can continue making music together for years to come.
Thank you for your understanding and support during these uncertain times.
Warm regards,
Brett
Owner, Ploutone
Brett, the owner and founder of Ploutone, is a modern guitarist on a mission to create a sustainable future and build a thriving community through the power of music. Brett founded Ploutone to celebrate independent artists and foster connections among guitarists worldwide. With a vision of spreading positivity and promoting sustainability, Brett hopes to inspire others to push the boundaries of their instruments and contribute to a better world.
MEET THE OWNER
