DIY Video Gear Tariffs Are Here—and They’re Not Great
DIY video gear tariffs are hitting harder than a dropped lens on concrete—and your wallet is about to feel every bump. Thanks to a new round of import taxes, camera gear from China, Vietnam, and India (aka 90% of what we all use) is now way more expensive to bring into the U.S.
Tripods? Marked up. LED panels? Inflated. Gimbals? Get ready to sell a kidney. If you’re a video creator, you’re now caught in the crossfire of international politics and economic chess moves—just for wanting to film your cat with good lighting.
Key Takeaways
| Topic | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Tariff Hikes | U.S. tariffs on gear from China (104%), Vietnam (46%), and India (26%) are raising prices. |
| Gear Costs | Cameras, lights, and accessories could jump 20–40%—even on “affordable” brands. |
| DIY Solutions | You can build gear from clamp lights, broomsticks, and yes—wheelchairs. |
| Global Impact | Even non-U.S. creators may see delays and rising costs due to supply chain shakeups. |
| What To Do | Buy early, shop used, or get crafty and make your own video tools. |
What’s Actually Happening?
The U.S. slapped steep tariffs on a huge list of imported goods—including pretty much everything on your video gear wishlist:
China: 104%
Vietnam: 46%
India: 26%
And it’s not just cameras and lights—audio gear, mounting equipment, and even cables are affected. These countries manufacture most of the gear marketed as “budget-friendly.” Well, not anymore.
Even U.S.-based brands are affected if they import parts (which is almost all of them). So yes, that “Assembled in America” sticker is going to cost you, too.
How DIY Video Makers Are Getting Hit (U.S. & Global)
Inside the U.S.:
Expect higher prices, fewer options, and longer shipping delays. Entry-level creators, students, and small business filmmakers will feel this the most.
Outside the U.S.:
Even if your country didn’t get hit with these tariffs, the global supply chain is still shifting. Factories are relocating, parts are scarce, and demand in unaffected markets might drive prices up anyway.
No matter where you live, your next lens could take longer to arrive—and cost more when it does.
DIY Gear Hacks to Dodge the Tariff Squeeze
If you’re the kind of person who’s already duct-taped a GoPro to a broom handle, this is your moment. Here are a few ways creators are skipping the store and building what they need:
Tripod Too Pricey?
Use a light stand or mic stand + a ball head. Or clamp a broomstick to a c-stand. Bonus points if you paint it black and act like it’s “Swedish-engineered.”Budget Lighting?
Clamp lights from Home Depot + parchment paper = homemade softbox. Add a dimmer switch for “cinematic” control.Tracking Shots Without a Rig?
Grab a wheelchair. Smooth, stable, and cheaper than a motorized dolly. Office chairs, skateboards, and furniture sliders work too—just mind the flooring.DIY Boom Mic?
A painter’s pole makes a perfect boom arm. Tape your XLR cable down the shaft, and your grip friend can finally earn their pizza.3D Print What You Can’t Afford
Download free rig parts from Thingiverse or Printables. Mounting plates, follow focus wheels, even lens caps—they’re all printable and legit.
What You Can Do Now (Without Crying Into Your Camera Bag)
Buy Now, Not Later – Stock up before the next round of price hikes.
Shop Secondhand – B&H Used, Facebook Marketplace, and KEH Camera are your friends.
Build Smart – We’re starting a new DIY gear section for this exact reason. Stay tuned.
Keep Creating – Gear helps, but it’s not the story. Stay scrappy. Stay weird. Stay shooting.
Final Thoughts
Look, this isn’t the end of DIY video. It’s just the start of a new chapter where gear gets built in garages, not just bought-in boxes. And let’s be real—that’s kind of punk rock.
Tariffs may raise the prices, but they won’t kill the passion. If anything, they just gave the DIY movement a shot of espresso. So go grab your painter’s pole, steal a lamp from the garage, and keep rolling.
We’ll be here with more hacks, guides, and blueprints—because a great story shouldn’t cost four figures to tell.
