📈 The Impact of Tariffs on Office Hardware & Software: Why Now Is the Time to Upgrade Your Equipment

As the global trade landscape continues to evolve in 2025, businesses across Colorado—and the U.S. more broadly—are beginning to feel the ripple effects of renewed tariffs on office technology. From copiers and printers to software licensing and managed IT infrastructure, the impact of these tariffs is becoming more evident in the form of price increases, supply chain delays, and vendor uncertainty.

Whether you’re a small business in Colorado Springs or managing enterprise infrastructure in Denver, staying ahead of these developments is crucial. In this post, we’ll break down what’s changing, how tariffs affect pricing and supply of office hardware and software, which manufacturers are being hit hardest, and why now may be your best opportunity to upgrade using pre-tariff inventory.

🔍 What’s Changing: A Quick Overview of 2025 Tariff Updates

In Q1 of 2025, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced reinstated and new tariffs targeting specific tech goods imported from China, Vietnam, and select parts of the EU. The goal? Protect U.S. intellectual property and manufacturing interests. The consequence? Rising costs for a wide range of essential business technology.

Here’s a breakdown of key changes:

✅ Tariff Changes by Country (4/2025)

🖨️ Why This Matters for Office Hardware

Most office equipment—including MFPs (Multifunction Printers), copiers, toner cartridges, and print servers—are manufactured or assembled using components from countries now facing increased import tariffs. Even if the final assembly occurs elsewhere, embedded parts (like firmware chips or fuser assemblies) often originate in China or Taiwan.

📊 Expected Price Fluctuations in 2025

Here’s what we’re already seeing and expect to continue:

• Copiers and MFPs: Prices projected to rise 8–15% by Q3 2025 for most Canon, HP, and Kyocera models

• Toner and Consumables: Toner cartridges using Chinese-sourced drums or chips could increase by 10–20%

• Managed Print Devices: Leasing rates may rise as hardware becomes more expensive for dealers

• Software Licensing: Office 365 and enterprise software tools are likely to see small increases (2–5%) due to EU-hosted infrastructure fees

🧠 What It Means for Your Business

You may be asking: “Should I hold off on upgrading?” The answer is: Absolutely not. In fact, this is the best time to take action, especially if you’re considering equipment refreshes, expanding your print fleet, or optimizing your IT environment.

Here’s why:

💥 1. Pre-Tariff Inventory is Still Available—For Now

AT ABT, we secured stock before these tariff increases took effect. This means you can still access Canon, Kyocera, HP, and Xerox devices at pre-tariff pricing—but that window is closing fast.

Some suppliers are already adjusting pricing as they restock. By Q2 and Q3, we expect the majority of new shipments to reflect the new tariff-inclusive rates.

Pro Tip: Ask your vendor if their pricing reflects older inventory or post-tariff stock. At ABT, we’re transparent about our supply chain timelines.

💸 2. Leasing Now Locks in Lower Rates

If you lease your office equipment, you can lock in current monthly pricing before equipment costs rise. Many Colorado businesses are already adjusting their 2025 budgets for anticipated hardware inflation.

By securing new MFPs or print solutions today, you may avoid:

• Higher leasing costs in Q3/Q4

• Expiring promotional finance rates

• Unexpected budget shortfalls later in the year

🧰 3. Supply Chain Lag = Delays on Newer Models

Even aside from tariffs, supply chain delays are extending lead times on newer devices. New models using affected components may face:

• 3–6 week shipping delays

• Limited availability in certain configurations

• Prioritized delivery for enterprise contracts only

By upgrading now, you bypass the rush and potential scarcity expected later this year.

🔄 4. Aging Devices Cost More to Maintain

Older office equipment becomes less efficient over time, and as part availability narrows due to international trade constraints, repair costs can spike. Add to that the growing challenge of sourcing firmware updates or drivers for end-of-life models, and the case for upgrading becomes even stronger.

Consider this:

• Replacing a 6-year-old copier could save you up to 40% in energy and service costs

• Newer models offer remote management, security compliance, and cloud integration features that older systems lack

🏢 How ABT Can Help

At ABT, we work closely with Colorado businesses to provide strategic recommendations based on real-time market conditions, including tariff trends, supply disruptions, and OEM availability.

Here’s what we’re currently doing to help our clients get ahead:

• 💼 Offering tariff-free bundles from pre-stocked inventory

• 🗓️ Locking in leasing rates before price adjustments hit

• 📈 Helping businesses audit their print environment for long-term cost reduction

📌 Key Takeaways

1. Tariffs are already driving up prices on printers, copiers, software, and consumables.

2. Manufacturers most affected include Canon (Japan/China), HP (China), Epson (Vietnam), and Kyocera (Taiwan components).

3. Existing inventory is a major opportunity—act now to avoid increased hardware costs in the second half of 2025.

4. Leasing and service agreements signed today will lock in lower monthly rates.

5. Delaying upgrades could mean paying more and waiting longer for the same equipment.

✅ Next Steps: Let’s Build a Strategy

If you’re unsure how these tariff changes might impact your office technology planning for 2025, we’re here to help. At ABT, we specialize in:

• Managed Print Services

• Copier & Printer Leasing

• IT Infrastructure Consulting

• Access Control & UCaaS Solutions

• Authorized Dealer Support for Canon, HP, Kyocera, Xerox, and Epson

📞 Contact us today to schedule a free technology assessment or request a quote on current inventory before prices shift. (Or, tap the chat!)

Let’s keep your Colorado business running smoothly

without getting hit by tariff turbulence.