Creator Tips

Navigating Tariffs and Shipping Costs: Tips for Kickstarter Creators

Recent U.S. Tariff changes are impacting creators, here are some tips, tools, and support to help you move forward.

Everette Taylor

04 Apr 2025 — 5 min read

Kickstarter Is Here for You.

Our team chats with creators daily, and we know many of you are feeling the pressure right now. Whether you’re just starting to plan your next campaign or you’re in the middle of production.

Recent changes to U.S. tariffs on imported goods are driving up production costs. If you’re a creator who depends on overseas manufacturing, small-batch production, or even prototyping internationally, this is more than just a headline. It’s a very real challenge to your timeline, your budget, and your ability to deliver on your creative vision.

At Kickstarter, we see you. And we’re here to help you navigate this moment.

This blog is the first step in an ongoing effort to provide creators with real-time resources, tips, and tools to overcome challenges and continue creating in a changing landscape.

Guidance on accounting for unpredictable costs:

1. Strategies to Mitigate Tariff Challenges

As tariffs and production costs shift, there are various ways to incorporate these changes into your reward and/or shipping pricing.

Here are some practical steps you can take to navigate these changes:

Reward Tier Pricing

If you’re in the pre-launch phase of your campaign, either in project build or have yet to hit that launch button, you can account for these changes by adjusting your reward pricing during campaign setup. To accurately recalculate costs for each tier, consider using tools like UPS TradeAbility to assess shipping complexities. Additionally, you can estimate tariff impacts by applying percentage increases based on resources such as the Conference Board Tariff Tracker. By factoring in these estimates, you can set informed pricing for your rewards and ensure a successful campaign launch.

Here is some additional guidance on structuring your rewards by price. As always, be transparent with backers about why adjustments are necessary—communications and trust build community.

If you currently have a live campaign, while rewards that backers have pledged to cannot have their price adjusted, you can look to balance costs by altering shipping costs.

Shipping Pricing

Our new Pledge Manager (currently in beta) allows you to set up shipping post-campaign, closer to the fulfillment phase of your campaign —when you have a clearer picture of your actual costs. You can account for any increased costs at that time. If you have a live or recently successful campaign and have not charged shipping for pledges yet, you can reach out to pledgemanagement@kickstarter.com and our post-campaign team can help set you up.

In Pledge Manager, you’ll also be able to:

Set Shipping Post-Campaign: Determine rates closer to fulfillment when actual costs are clearer.
Country-Specific Rates: Tailor shipping fees by region.
Add New Countries: Add specific shipping rates based on where your backers are.

Using tools like Pledge Manager allows you to account for increased costs without overestimating or undercharging during your campaign phase. Reach out to us to assess fit for your current or future campaign.

2. Estimated shipping costs by region

To help you plan ahead, here’s a breakdown of estimated shipping cost increases based on common ship-from/to scenarios. These figures are broad estimates and may fluctuate as global trade conditions evolve. We strongly encourage creators to verify and update shipping costs regularly, especially before finalizing rates in Pledge Manager, to ensure accuracy and avoid unexpected expenses.

As of April 4th, 2025 @ 1:00PM EDT. Find the full up-to-date details here.

US Tariff by Country or Sector	Latest Rate of US Tariff
European Union, includes: Germany, Ireland, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium	10% in effect April 5 20% in effect April 9
Mexico	25% in effect for goods not covered by USMCA
China	54% total in effect on April 9 20% in effect as of March 4, an additional 34% was announced on April 2, for a total of 54%
Canada	25% in effect for goods not covered by USMCA 10% in effect for energy and energy resources 10% in effect for potash (fertilizer)
Japan	10% effective April 5 24% effective April 9
India	10% effective April 5 26% effective April 9
United Kingdom	10% effective April 5 and continues at that rate

For the most up to date news and data — See more here

For some creators, leveraging domestic manufacturing may be another option. While potentially more expensive upfront, domestic production can mitigate uncertainty and improve delivery timelines.

3. Resources for Creators

Kickstarter’s Creator Resource Hub is packed with guidance designed to help you navigate these challenges:

International Shipping Tips: Learn how to streamline logistics and cut costs.
Manufacturing Guides: Get insights into sourcing materials and managing production timelines.
Case Studies: See how other creators have overcome similar challenges.
Free Video Courses: Plan ahead with expert advice tailored for Kickstarter campaigns.

As always, our team remains committed to developing new resources and tools to support your success at every stage of your creative journey. This policy change won’t alter our dedication to helping you navigate challenges and achieve your goals.

4. A Team That Believes in Your Work

Challenging moments like this remind us why Kickstarter exists in the first place—to give creators ownership of their ideas and to build communities that believe in them. If you’re planning a campaign, adjusting your costs, or just trying to figure out the next steps, Kickstarter is here for you—with tools, people, and a platform that believes in your work.

We want to hear from you! Please contact us for 24 hour campaign support.

Let’s keep building together.

Have a question? Ask it here

—Your friends at Kickstarter