Should You Still Launch a Product in the Middle of Current Tariff Challenges? 

(Short answer: Yes — but you need a game plan.) 

If you’ve been crunching the numbers lately wondering, “Should I even try to launch and ecommerce product right now?” — you’re definitely not alone. High tariffs, rising costs, challenges in finding and negotiating with suppliers… it’s a lot. But here’s the thing: new sellers still have opportunity — the ones who play it smart, stay patient, and actually plan for the chaos will be able to stand the test of time. So if you’re ready to jump in (and you should be), it’s not about being fearless. It’s about being strategic from the start. 

Your Startup Costs Will Be Higher 

Your startup costs are going to be higher. Tariffs aren’t some surprise fee you can “deal with later”. From day one, you’ve got to factor tariffs into your landed costs, which is basically the all-in price to get your product from your supplier’s floor to Amazon’s doorstep (or wherever you’re selling). That includes manufacturing costs, freight, insurance, customs duties, warehouse fees — everything. If it touches your product on its way to you, it’s part of the landed cost. 

If you need a tool to help you to calculate your startup costs, Helium 10 has an easy to use Profitability Calculator on the free Extension. You can add in package dimensions to calculate the potential FBA fee, add in the Cost of goods, potentially Pay Per Click Costs, Tariffs and any additional costs. The referral fee will automatically be added so that you can get a good picture of the potential profitability of the product.  

What happens if the products you want to sell won’t be profitably on Amazon? 

If your landed costs for the product that you want to sell are high, the chances are that your competitor’s landed costs will also be high. You an check to see what their pricing strategy is by logging into the Helium 10 Chrome Extension and taking a look a the price history graph. If your competitors are slowly raising prices, you probably guess that they will keep raising prices to the amount where they will be profitable. Keep an eye on what they are doing over the next few weeks and months to see how much you can adjust your pricing.  

Now, just because costs are rising doesn’t mean you have to roll over and accept whatever your supplier quotes you. Negotiating is part of the job. You can try pushing for lower production costs per unit, but here’s the catch: if they drop the price, make sure you’re crystal clear that the quality stays exactly the same. Get samples. Get written confirmation. The last thing you want is to save a few cents only to get a batch of junk your customers can’t wait to leave one-star reviews about. 

Beyond just unit price, there’s another lever most new sellers don’t realize they can pull: payment terms. Normally, especially as a brand-new seller, suppliers expect a pretty chunky deposit upfront — sometimes 30%, 50%, or even full payment before production finishes, just to protect themselves. But once you build even a little trust, you can negotiate for better terms. You might be able to push for paying 30, 60, or even 90 days after the goods land. That way, you can start selling inventory and generating cash flow before you have to pay the full bill. It doesn’t always happen on your first order — but if you ask confidently and back it up with a real plan to scale, a lot of suppliers are willing to work with you more than you’d think. 

High startup costs are manageable if you plan for them early, negotiate smart, and protect both your margins and your product quality.

Ship Your Products to a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) or Bonded Warehouse 

If you’re looking for a smart way to ease the pain of tariffs, consider shipping your products into a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) warehouse or a Bonded Warehouse first. These special facilities give you a huge advantage: you don’t have to pay heavy import tariffs immediately. Instead, you can store your products, repackage them, relabel if needed, and incrementally ship items to their final destinations — like Amazon’s FBA warehouses or your own fulfillment center. 

By avoiding a massive tariff bill all at once, you keep more working capital in your pocket. Which is critical when you’re trying to scale or stay flexible. And if tariff rates drop while your goods are still sitting in the FTZ, you might be able to move them out at a much lower duty rate later on. Timing is everything, and this strategy gives you breathing room to wait it out if needed. 

Most FTZ warehouses operate a lot like a 3PL (Third-Party Logistics provider), meaning they’ll handle storage, fulfillment prep, and incremental shipments into Amazon (or wherever you sell). It’s a smooth setup, especially if you’ve already started producing your inventory or if you’re ready to manufacture but don’t want to delay your ecommerce launch. 

Using a Free Trade Zone or Bonded Warehouse isn’t just about avoiding costs — it’s about buying yourself time, flexibility, and financial breathing room while the tariff landscape keeps shifting. 

Crowdfunding = Cash and Social Proof 

f you haven’t seriously considered crowdfunding, now’s the time. Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo aren’t just for quirky tech gadgets anymore. They’re a killer way to test whether people actually want your product before you dive headfirst into production costs. A successful campaign lets you pre-sell units at tariff-inclusive prices, build a customer list early, and validate demand — all without emptying your bank account on a risky first order. 

But here’s where a lot of new sellers mess up: they launch a crowdfunding campaign without an audience — and then wonder why nobody pledges. Crowdfunding platforms aren’t magical traffic machines. You still have to drive your own interest at the start. That’s why it’s smart to start building your email list before you even launch your campaign. 

The easiest way to do that? Offer a valuable freebie in exchange for an email address. It could be a downloadable guide, a checklist, or a quick tipsheet that’s relevant to your product niche — something like “Top 5 Essentials for First-Time Campers” if you’re launching outdoor gear, or “How to Crush Long Workdays Without Killing Your Feet” if you’re selling performance socks. Set up a simple landing page with tools like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or even a basic Shopify site, and start building interest weeks (or even months) before you hit “go” on your crowdfunding campaign. 

That way, when launch day comes, you’re not trying to build momentum from scratch. You’ll already have a group of warm, interested people — people who have interacted with your brand, gotten value from you, and are more likely to support your campaign because they feel like part of your journey. 

Plus, running a crowdfunding campaign forces you to sharpen your branding and marketing chops early. You’ll need to tell a compelling story, design persuasive visuals, and create messaging that resonates — all skills that will directly carry over into your Amazon listings, Shopify store, or wherever you plan to sell long-term. It’s basically your product’s first big job interview. If you can convince complete strangers to believe in you early, you’re probably onto something worth scaling. 

Crowdfunding isn’t just about raising money — it’s about proving your product can survive (and thrive) in the wild before you make massive financial commitments. Build your audience first, launch smart, and use the campaign both to fund production and to create loyal customers for life. 

Build the Brand Before You Even Have the Product 

Here’s the honest truth: if you’re waiting around for production, you’re wasting time you’ll never get back. Smart sellers use that gap to build their foundation — and trust me, there’s a lot you can (and should) be working on. 

First things first: make sure your product development decisions are airtight. Before you place a massive order, take advantage of Helium 10 Audiences powered by PickFu to test different designs, colors, packaging options, or even logo ideas. You’ll get real feedback from your target audience — not just friends or random social media followers — so you can confidently choose the version of your product people are actually most likely to buy. Small tweaks here can mean big gains in conversion rates later — and save you from getting stuck with thousands of units nobody wants. 

Once your design decisions are locked in, it’s time to dial in your listing strategy. Use Helium 10’s Cerebro tool to reverse-engineer your competitors’ keywords, spotting both the must-haves and the hidden gems that could help you rank faster. Then build your listing smart from the start using Helium 10’s Listing Builder, weaving your keywords naturally into the title, bullets, and description so you’re optimized for both Amazon’s algorithm and human buyers. A strong listing doesn’t just “help” your launch — it defines it. 

While your manufacturer is working on your order, start prepping your brand foundation too. Build an email list — even if it’s small at first. One of the easiest ways to do this is by offering a free downloadable resource like a tipsheet, PDF guide, or checklist related to your niche. Think “Top 5 Must-Haves for Outdoor Adventures” if you’re launching hiking gear, or “How to Keep Your Feet Fresh During Long Shifts” if you’re selling work socks. Create a simple landing page with tools like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Shopify apps, and exchange value for an email address. Start building that relationship now so you’ve got a warm audience when your product drops. 

At the same time, get active on social media — not with pushy product ads, but with storytelling that builds connection. Show behind-the-scenes progress, share your struggles and wins, highlight the lifestyle or problems your product solves. People connect with brands that feel human, not just polished storefronts. 

And if you’re thinking long-term (which you absolutely should be), use this production downtime to plan your next move. Even before your first product launches, Helium 10’s Black Box tool can help you research complementary products that could expand your brand later. Mapping out your second or third product early makes scaling faster and much less stressful when momentum hits. 

Bottom line: the more you prep during production time, the faster, stronger, and more profitable your launch will be. You’re not just launching a product — you’re building a brand that’s designed to last. The early work you put in now is what will separate you from the thousands of sellers who just “wing it” and wonder why it didn’t work. 

Over-communicate With Your Supplier Like Your Business Depends on It (Because It Does) 

When tariffs squeeze margins, factories sometimes cut corners — and they don’t exactly send you a memo when they do. It’s your job to stay ahead of it. Always send clear written product specs (no casual WeChat chats), schedule third-party inspections, and build a ruthless quality checklist so nothing gets lost in translation. 

If an early sample feels off, trust your gut and address it immediately. Waiting until bad reviews start rolling in is not a strategy — it’s a fire you could have prevented. Protect your investment by assuming nothing and documenting everything. Future-you (and your customer reviews) will be grateful. 

Tariffs = Barrier to Entry (Which Can Actually Work for You) 

It’s easy to see tariffs as nothing but a headache, but they can actually work in your favor if you play it right. A lot of would-be sellers get scared off the minute things get complicated. They want easy wins, fast cash, no roadblocks — not the reality of building a real business. 

But here’s the opportunity: if you stay calm, plan smart, and focus on delivering real value, you instantly put yourself ahead of the crowd. The shoppers are still out there, still looking for great products. They’re just wading through less junk now — which means your brand has a much clearer shot at standing out if you’ve done the work. 

The real key to standing the test of time isn’t luck. It’s about building your brand foundation early — before you even launch — using the exact strategies we’ve talked about in this guide. Setting up an email list, crafting a strong listing, pre-validating your product designs with real feedback, and creating a customer journey that feels trustworthy and real… all of that matters more than ever. 

It’s also about making sure you start with enough cash flow to handle reality, not just fantasy. 
Tariffs aren’t going anywhere overnight, and they’re not something you can just wish away. If you’re planning your numbers right — factoring tariffs into your landed cost, negotiating smarter payment terms with suppliers, managing your inventory strategy carefully — you’re building a business that can survive temporary storms instead of folding at the first sign of pressure. 

Tariffs aren’t the real problem. Half-committed sellers are. Let them quit. You? You build something lasting. You build a brand that doesn’t just launch — it grows, evolves, and thrives even when the conditions aren’t perfect. 

And when the next wave of easy-come-easy-go sellers gets scared off? You’ll still be standing. Stronger, smarter, and way ahead of the game. 

You Don’t Have to Manufacture in China

One of the biggest advantages you have as a new seller is that you get to chose what country you want to manufacture your products. Unlike established brands that are already tied to long-term relationships with Chinese manufacturers, you get to start fresh and that means you can choose where you manufacture your product.

With tariffs hitting Chinese imports especially hard, you might be able to bypass a lot of that pain simply by sourcing from a different country. There are plenty of emerging manufacturing hubs: Vietnam, Mexico, India, and even Eastern Europe that offer competitive pricing, solid quality, and way fewer tariff headaches. If you’re just getting started, now’s the time to explore those options and factor tariff rates directly into your supplier search process.

And don’t overlook the U.S., either. Domestic manufacturing can feel more expensive upfront, but it eliminates tariffs altogether and simplifies logistics like freight costs, delivery timelines, and import compliance. For some products — especially ones that are light, high-margin, or premium, a U.S. manufacturer might make a lot more sense long-term.

Remember, the flexibility you have right now is a superpower. You’re not locked in. You can be strategic from the start, find partners that help you avoid unnecessary costs, and build a supply chain that’s both lean and resilient. Plenty of sellers wish they could go back and rethink their sourcing decisions, but you get to make those decisions now.

A Few Extra Moves That Can Save Your Launch 

Since we’re talking real talk, here are a few bonus moves that can seriously help you out. Negotiate harder with your suppliers — some of them will work with you if you push. Consolidate your shipments wherever you can; full containers are usually cheaper per unit than piecemeal ones. Use bonded warehouses if it makes sense, so you can delay some import duties until after the goods sell. 

Also, launch lean. You don’t need 17 colors or 5 different bundles out of the gate. Start simple, validate your offer, then expand. And remember: focus on profit first, not perfection. Your first product’s job is to survive — and if it thrives? Even better. 

Is Launching a Product on Amazon Still Feasible? 

Yes, you can still launch a product right now. No, it’s not easy — but building something meaningful rarely is. The sellers who are winning today aren’t the luckiest; they’re the ones planning smarter, moving faster, and staying clear-headed even when it feels like the rules keep changing. 

So don’t wait around for “perfect.” Chin up. Calculator out. Game on. Your future customers — and your future profits — are ready when you are.