If you’ve been watching the headlines, you’ve probably heard about the major tariff increases that were just announced — and if you haven’t yet, this is something Rhode Island businesses need to pay close attention to.
With new tariffs hitting imports across the board, including apparel, textiles, and promotional products, the cost of many branded goods is on the rise. But while many suppliers and print shops are scrambling, here at J&R Marketing, we’ve been planning ahead.
Let’s break down what’s happening, what it means for your business, and how we’re working to keep you covered.
What’s Actually Changing?
Here’s the simplified version:
Baseline Tariff: A universal 10% tariff on all imported goods.
Reciprocal Tariffs: Country-specific increases — including:
China: 34% | Vietnam: 46% | Bangladesh: 37% | EU: 20%
End of De Minimis: The old rule that let shipments under $800 skip tariffs? Gone.
For the custom apparel and promotional product world, these changes are significant.
Average import tariff rates on apparel are expected to double, from about 14.5% to 30.6%.
(Source: Reuters, AP News, Industry Trade Reports)
What This Means for RI Businesses
Higher Prices: Costs will naturally rise, especially on imported garments and promo items like tote bags, drinkware, and tech accessories.
Potential Delays: As supply chains are restructured globally, some items might take longer to arrive.
Impact on Small Orders: Smaller quantity runs that once avoided tariffs due to lower order values are now affected.
Pressure on Custom Apparel: The bread and butter of Rhode Island’s small business branding — T-shirts, hats, polos — is feeling the pinch.
How J&R Marketing Is Staying Ahead (For You)
We’ve been watching this closely from day one, and we aren’t waiting for the market to react. Here’s what we’ve done — and continue to do — to help protect your pricing and supply:
We’ve stocked up early.
Anticipating these changes, we increased inventory for popular items well ahead of the tariff rollout.
We’re diversifying our sourcing.
Our team has been building relationships with domestic and alternative suppliers to balance the impact of international tariffs.
We’re transparent about pricing.
No surprises. We’re keeping our customers informed about where pricing stands, and we’ll always work with you to find the best solution.
We help you plan ahead.
For upcoming events, trade shows, or campaigns, we’ll help you forecast needs to avoid delays and price hikes.
We’ve got in-house capabilities.
With in-house screen printing and embroidery right here in Rhode Island, we’re able to offer faster turnarounds and more control — even as the global supply chain shifts.
Joe Russo also shared his take on what these tariffs mean for Rhode Island businesses overall, with actionable advice on how to stay ahead of rising costs. You can check it out here.
What Should You Do Next?
If you use custom apparel, promotional products, or printed materials as part of your business, here’s our best advice:
Place orders early. If you know you’ll need items for summer events, holiday promotions, or restocks — let’s plan now.
Ask about alternatives. We can recommend domestic products and materials that aren’t as heavily affected by these tariffs.
Stay informed. We’re tracking this closely and will continue to keep our clients informed with updates and recommendations.
J&R Marketing: More Than Just Printing
While this update focuses on custom apparel and promotional products, remember — we’re a full-service marketing partner for your Rhode Island business.
From branding and design to SEO, PPC, video production, and yes, custom printing, we help businesses like yours stay prepared, grow smarter, and weather unpredictable changes in the market.
If you’re not sure how this impacts your business — let’s talk.
We’re here to help Rhode Island businesses stay ahead, no matter the headlines.