Responding to tariffs, HTC plans to raise prices on VR headsets in June

VR headset maker HTC is warning its customers of “upcoming price adjustments” next month in response to the tariffs imposed on imports from China. 

“Beat the tariffs when you order by 5/31,” the company told customers in an email sent out Friday, adding: “We're absorbing tariff costs on select products for a limited time only. Get ahead of upcoming price adjustments and secure these must-haves today.”

It’s unclear at this point which products will be affected. The email lists, among other things, the Vive Focus Vision headset, Vive trackers and the Vive Base Station, suggesting that these products may see price increases next month.

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How expensive HTC headsets will become in June is also unclear; I’ve reached out to HTC spokespeople, and will update this post if I get a response. That being said, it’s likely that HTC is buying itself some time until it settles on new prices for its products.

The Trump administration imposed a 145% import tax on products from China in April, but President Trump suggested Friday that tariff rates could be reduced to 80% as part of negotiations with China.

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