Importers rush in spring orders early over tariffs anxiety

"Small importers for large U.S. retailers rushed in China-made strollers and wares meant for spring and are storing the goods in their own warehouses to avoid the big tariff bills that had been threatened over the next month. Before Sino-American talks on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur eliminated the threat of U.S. President Donald Trump's 100% tariffs on Chinese imports starting November 1, importers were expecting to shoulder the staggering levies."

""We are trying to front-load spring orders," said Leslie Stiba, CEO of high-end stroller-maker Austlen Baby Co. "We brought in as much as we could manage." Stiba said she placed orders for 20% to 25% more strollers for spring 2026-her biggest season-compared to the last. Overall, she is holding 50% more inventory than before the start of Trump's trade war, and has held off on hiring due to the new expenses."

U.S. importers rushed China-made spring strollers and merchandise into their own warehouses to avoid threatened steep tariffs and 100% duties scheduled for November. The tariff threat prompted front-loading of orders, higher inventory holdings and larger warehousing costs, while importers bet consumer spending will hold up next spring despite lower-income consumers reinining spending and overall economic uncertainty. Retailers affected include Walmart, Amazon and Target. Austlen Baby Co. increased spring 2026 stroller orders by about 20–25% and now holds roughly 50% more inventory, pausing hiring because of the added expenses. Shipments surged during a six-month tariffs truce, raising shipping rates and port activity.

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