Should You Order Your Parts Now Before the Tariffs?
Electronic parts pricing could spike fast if the proposed EU tariffs move forward.
That means sourcing delays, higher bills, and more headaches across supply chains. If your business depends on any kind of component procurement, you should be paying attention now.
In January 2026, the U.S. signaled it may impose new tariffs on six EU nations, adding to an already tense global trade environment. According to a report by Reuters, these tariffs could range from 10 to 20 percent on electronics and industrial components, with the effects trickling down fast.
We’re Summit Electronics, a global distributor and sales agent for current, hard-to-find, and obsolete electronic components. With over 2 million parts in stock, we’re often the first and last call for sourcing across aerospace, defense, energy, MRO, and more. With our worldwide network, we have access to inventory that others simply don’t.
What Are the Proposed EU Tariffs, and Why Do They Matter Now?
The proposed U.S. tariffs target six EU countries in response to ongoing trade disputes. These include duties on goods like semiconductors, industrial machinery, and electronics. While details are still being finalized, the potential disruption to the electronics supply chain is significant.
This comes on top of existing tariffs already straining global trade, including those on Chinese-made PCBs, transistors, and raw materials used in manufacturing electronic assemblies. The EU is also considering countermeasures in response to U.S. actions, further complicating global procurement.
Electronics firms that rely on streamlined, global sourcing will likely face longer lead times and increased costs once these tariffs take effect.
How Will These Tariffs Impact Electronic Parts Pricing?
Tariffs increase production costs by raising the base price of imported components. If a power rectifier or capacitor suddenly costs 15 percent more to import, that cost must be absorbed or passed on. Most companies choose the latter.
The result is higher pricing for everything from smartphones and EV batteries to circuit boards and manufacturing equipment. Suppliers may also hoard inventory in anticipation of higher costs, tightening the market and reducing availability.
Sourcing from non-tariffed countries introduces new logistics costs and customs delays. A switch from Germany to Vietnam or India for integrated circuits sounds simple until you factor in new certification requirements, packaging formats, or voltage standards.
In short, tariffs will impact pricing directly, but also create a ripple effect that drives up costs across the board.
Obsolete and Hard-to-Find Electronics Will Be Hit Hardest
Legacy systems are especially vulnerable. Many older components, such as specific IGBTs or capacitors, are only available from limited sources, often in tariff-affected countries.
When those parts become more expensive or harder to find, companies maintaining older equipment, like telecommunications or energy and power systems, face downtime or expensive redesigns.
Even if you manage to source from a non-tariffed region, the added cost and time to verify the part, test it, and qualify the vendor can be substantial.
We are already seeing firms stockpiling key obsolete electronics to avoid a scramble later.
Should You Secure Your Parts Now?
If your equipment relies on legacy or hard-to-find components, or if you’re mid-cycle on a project that requires specific builds, now is the time to act.
Buyers who wait may face:
- 10 to 20 percent price increases,
- Longer lead times,
- Last-minute redesigns due to part unavailability.
Securing parts now also protects you from future delays if ports, logistics providers, or customs officials get overwhelmed. Even a brief spike in tariff enforcement can throw supply chains off for months.
Summit Electronics Has You Covered, With or Without Tariffs
We already have over 2 million components in stock, including switches, lamps, end-of-life converters, transistors, and AI chips. Our team specializes in finding obsolete electronics and hard-to-find electronics from across the globe.
Even if tariffs go into effect, our purchasing agents have access to manufacturers and suppliers in countries not affected by the proposed EU tariffs. That keeps your procurement stable and your operations running.
Summit Electronics is not just another distributor. We are a strategic partner with global reach, fast fulfillment, and pricing that holds up in any market condition.
Now is the time to review your sourcing plan. If you know you will need a part, don’t wait. Lock it in before the tariffs go into effect. Our focus stays on reliability, fast delivery, and competitive pricing.
Click here or give us a call toll-free at (800) 226-6960.
