New tariffs on imported materials—including stainless steel, plastics, and apparel—are driving up costs across industries. Branded merchandise isn’t immune.
Ironmark is monitoring the situation closely and working to minimize the impact on our clients. Here’s what you need to know.
- Steel & Aluminum: A 25% tariff is now in place on imported metals, making stainless steel drinkware one of the first categories to see price hikes as current inventory is replenished.
- Plastics: Plastic products from key suppliers in Canada, Mexico and China now face higher import costs, leading to expanded plastic product options being produced domestically.
- Apparel: Textile tariffs haven’t led to an impact yet, but branded apparel prices will increase as suppliers adjust later this year.
- Shipping Delays: Some goods sourced from Mexico and Canada are stuck at the border due to shifting trade policies; orders are taking a few days longer to cross the border.
The big picture: Some suppliers stocked up ahead of the tariffs, temporarily delaying price jumps—but changes are coming by the end of March with additional increases anticipated in the coming months. Lock in pricing now on big orders before costs increase.
A Shifting Market
The branded merchandise world is changing quickly due to new U.S. tariffs on various imported materials and products. At Ironmark, we understand that predictability matters when planning your marketing and promotional budgets. That’s why we’re committed to keeping you informed about how these changes will impact pricing, shipping, and availability.
While price increases are not immediate on every product, we’ve received updates from key suppliers indicating that some prices will rise as soon as the end of March—particularly in categories like stainless steel drinkware. Additionally, other materials and product categories are also affected by the recent tariffs.
What’s Changing?
- 1. New Tariffs Are Raising Costs on Key Materials
In March 2025, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum, impacting industries that rely on these materials—including branded merchandise. Many drinkware items, tech accessories, and other promotional products contain these metals, making them vulnerable to cost increases. While some suppliers stocked up ahead of the tariff to delay price increases, others have notified us that new pricing will go into effect soon when inventory is replenished. - 2. Impact on Plastics and Related Products
The recent tariffs extend beyond metals, affecting the plastics sector as well. Imports of plastic products from countries like Canada, Mexico and China are now subject to a 25% tariff. This development has raised concerns among North American packaging industries, as these tariffs could disrupt the flow of materials and increase production costs. Consequently, suppliers are adjusting with expanded options of plastic products being produced domestically. - 3. Apparel and Textiles Facing New Challenges
The apparel industry is also navigating the complexities introduced by the new tariffs. With additional duties imposed on imports from key manufacturing hubs, the cost of clothing and textile products has not been impacted yet but is expected to rise. This situation has prompted discussions about the feasibility of shifting production to the U.S.; however, challenges such as limited capacity and higher labor costs make a large-scale transition unlikely in the short term. As a result, apparel items in the promotional products sector may see price increases as suppliers adjust to the new trade environment.
What Ironmark Is Doing to Help
- 1. Leveraging Our Extensive Vendor Network
Ironmark works with dozens of suppliers, giving us flexibility to source competitively and explore the best options for our clients. With overlapping product lines across vendors, we’re actively assessing where to mitigate cost increases while maintaining quality. - 2. Exploring More USA-Made Product Options
We are evaluating more U.S.-made promotional products as a long-term strategy. While domestic production is expanding, it’s important to note that USA-made products traditionally have higher starting prices due to labor and material costs. However, they may offer greater pricing stability in the future as tariff policies continue to shift. - 3. Providing a Clear, Ongoing Picture of the Situation
This article kicks off a regular series where we will continue sharing updates on pricing trends, supply chain shifts, and strategies to keep your promotional marketing on track.
What You Can Do to Stay Ahead
- 1. Plan Ahead & Lock in Current Pricing
If you know you have a big order later in the year, placing it sooner rather than later can help you avoid price increases. Even if you don’t need the items immediately, securing today’s pricing can be a smart move. - 2. Take Advantage of Warehousing Options
For clients who want to lock in pricing now but don’t need their merchandise until later, Ironmark offers storage solutions to help you plan strategically. - 3. Stay Informed
This is a fluid situation, and we’re committed to keeping you up to date. We’ll continue to monitor changes and advise you on the best ways to navigate pricing fluctuations.
The Bottom Line
While tariffs are introducing new challenges, Ironmark is here to help. We’re working closely with suppliers, exploring cost-saving options, and staying on top of pricing changes so that you can feel confident in your purchasing decisions.
If you have questions about how this may impact your upcoming branded merchandise orders, feel free to reach out to your Ironmark representative.
📢 Stay tuned as we will continue to monitor this evolving situation.
Note: The information provided is based on current developments as of March 26 2025, and is subject to change as the situation evolves.
