New Tariffs Impact American Hobbies: Model Train Parts, Wine Corks, and More Face Price Hikes

New tariffs, including a 145% levy on Chinese imports and a 10% tariff on most other goods, are increasing costs for American hobbyists. Model train parts, wine corks, specialty butters, trading card sleeves, and sailboat sails are affected, leading to higher prices and supply shortages. Enthusiasts face difficult choices: pay more, wait longer, or opt for lower-quality alternatives. The tariffs are reshaping hobbies, with some enthusiasts like Frank Vaughan, a sailor, considering giving up due to tripled costs for sails. The long-term sustainability of many hobbies is now uncertain.

Model Train Collectors Face Rising Costs

At the River City Railroad Club, model train collector Avery Heinonen has seen firsthand how tariffs are impacting his hobby. Many of the intricate parts he uses to build and maintain his model trains are imported, often from China. With the new 145% tariff on Chinese goods, the cost of these parts is expected to rise substantially. While specific price increases for individual components were not detailed, the general expectation among collectors is that maintaining or expanding their layouts will become significantly more expensive in the coming months.

Model railroading, a hobby that already demands precision and investment, is now becoming even less accessible. Enthusiasts like Heinonen are bracing for higher costs on everything from tiny screws and motors to detailed scenery elements.

Wine Corks and Specialty Butters Hit by Tariffs

Wine enthusiasts and gourmet cooks are also feeling the pressure. Wine corks, many of which are imported, are now subject to higher tariffs, making them more expensive for both winemakers and hobbyist bottlers. Although specific price changes for corks were not provided, the broader trend of rising costs for imported goods suggests that wine lovers may soon pay more for their favorite bottles or home-bottling supplies.

Specialty butters, often sourced from Europe, are another casualty of the new trade policies. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and industry reports, butter imports are expected to decline due to tariffs, even as domestic production increases. This shift is already affecting prices. For example, barrel cheese prices — a related dairy product — dropped sharply in late April, but the market for specialty butters remains tight, with higher costs anticipated for imported varieties prized by chefs and food enthusiasts.

Trading Card Collectors Struggle with Supply Costs

The trading card hobby, encompassing Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, sports cards, and more, has been complicated by the trade war. Supplies like thin plastic sleeves, essential for protecting valuable cards, are becoming harder to find and more expensive. These sleeves are typically manufactured in China and are now subject to tariffs when entering the U.S., and again when re-exported to Canada, creating a double-duty situation.

Retailers and collectors report that while the cards themselves are also affected by retaliatory tariffs, the rising cost and scarcity of protective supplies are particularly frustrating. Some companies, like Konami (maker of Yu-Gi-Oh cards), are absorbing part of the tariff costs, but for most supplies, the burden is passed on to consumers. Collectors are now paying more to safeguard their investments, adding an unexpected expense to an already costly hobby.

Sailboat Project Costs Triple

Perhaps the most dramatic example of tariff impact comes from the sailing community. Frank Vaughan, a retired pilot and human resources professional from Cedar Creek, Texas, has been restoring a 1990 Catalina 18 sailboat. Initially, he planned to purchase two new Dacron sails from a Chinese manufacturer at $400 each. However, after the tariffs were implemented, the price tripled to $1,200 per sail.

Seeking alternatives, Vaughan contacted a Canadian company, only to find that it too sourced sails from China, with prices 50% higher than he had budgeted. An American company offered sails for about $800 each, but with a six- to eight-month waiting period, and their sailcloths were also sourced from China.

Ultimately, Vaughan settled for used sails at $236 each — a compromise that left him with serviceable but less-than-ideal equipment. "They will do for a while," he said, expressing frustration at the situation. Having spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on sailing over the decades, Vaughan now faces the possibility of giving up the sport if costs continue to rise, a prospect he described as "a terrible loss."

Broader Implications for Hobbyists

The new tariffs, particularly the 145% duty on Chinese imports, are reshaping the landscape for American hobbyists. Whether it's the intricate parts needed for model trains, the corks that seal a prized vintage, the butter that elevates a dish, the sleeves that protect a rare card, or the sails that catch the wind, the cost of pursuing passions is climbing.

While some hobbyists are finding creative ways to adapt — buying used goods, delaying purchases, or absorbing higher costs — the long-term sustainability of many hobbies is now in question. For those on fixed incomes or with limited budgets, the joy of these activities may soon be out of reach.

References

• How Tariffs Could Make Americans’ Hobbies More Expensive
• Trading card hobby in Canada impacted by mounting trade war centred around U.S.
• New plants, new problems: expansion pressures market - Dairy Star
• Cheese Reporter – Serving the World's Dairy Industry Weekly Since 1876
• How Trump’s 145% China tariffs could crush American small businesses: ‘There’s no facility here that makes what we need’