Well. We didn't think our biggest business challenge in 2025 would be international trade policy... but here we are.
Let me tell you exactly what happened, what we’re doing now, and why we’re not going down without a fight.
🏛️ The Tariff Timeline That Changed Everything
Back in November, right after the election, Trump expressed that he wanted to implement tariffs, but I could never have imagined how much. We panicked a little... okay, a lot, but we immediately placed an $80,000+ order of ArtVend machines, hoping we could squeeze in one more shipping container before the hike hit (we also were due for a restock).
The machines take a while to produce, and with a few delays, our order wasn’t ready until April. That’s when the panic truly set in.
First, they announced a 10% tariff. Stressful? Yes. But manageable. Then it bumped to 50%. I cried. I freaked out. But still, we could raise prices by $50 and survive.
Then came 104%.
Then 125%.
Then now? 145%.
And soon 250% (plus section 301 and fentanyl tariffs)
That would mean over $220,000 in tariffs alone just to bring our shipment into the U.S. That doesn’t include manufacturing, freight, or warehouse costs.
I don’t have a rich investor. I don’t have a business partner with deep pockets. I’m a 23-year-old woman who started this business right out of college with my own savings.
I can’t go into six figures of debt to keep ArtVend going.
And even if I raised prices, the ArtVend was already a stretch for most artists. It wouldn’t be fair to push the cost onto you, and it would not solve my capital problem.
🏯 Why We Can't Just "Make It Somewhere Else"
A lot of folks have asked why we can’t just make the ArtVend somewhere else. It’s not that simple. All our capital is currently tied up in the $80,000 worth of machines already sitting in our manufacturer’s warehouse in China.
The good news? They’re willing to hold them. And they believe this trade war won’t last forever.
We’ll resume imports as soon as tariffs drop below 20%. Until then, we pivot.
🚤 Good News for International Customers
We’re currently working on setting up a third-party fulfillment center in China to see if we can distribute ArtVends internationally.
That means:
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Lower shipping rates
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No U.S. tariffs
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Machines back in stock outside the U.S.
Right now, our only inventory is 16mm White token machines, and a few 9mm White token machines. For different coil sizes and coin mechanisms, we swap those out in-house before shipping. We can still ship you 26mm coils, 9mm coils, and Canadian Coin Wheels from our warehouse and we have tutorials on how to switch things out.
📈 So What Are We Doing Now?
We're not giving up. We're getting creative.
We’re now offering a full lineup of in-house-made, tariff-free goods that you can sell, use to promote your business, or upgrade your booth setup:
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Custom stickers
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Magnets
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Art prints
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Foam board displays
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Vinyl banners
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Panel wraps
All printed and cut right here in our Lafayette, Louisiana warehouse. No tariffs. No third-party fulfillment drama. Just handmade goods from a queer-owned biz doing what we can to keep going.
We know a lot of you are small business owners, too. And if you're looking for new U.S.-based suppliers, we're here.
❤️ Thank You for Everything
This isn’t the end of The ArtVend. It’s just a (very annoying) pause.
You helped me live my dream, even if it was just for a little while. I got to see my machine in booths across the country. I got to meet artists and creatives from all walks of life using it to share their work.
We’re not going anywhere. We’re just waiting out the storm.
Thanks for being here,
Hadley (she/they)
Founder, The ArtVend
