Having a period just got even more expensive. Reusable and one-time use period care products will see price increases for US consumers, in large part due to tarrifs. Even brands who manufacture domestically often rely on raw materials sourced from other countries where tarrifs are 10%-50%.
What is a Tariff?
Tariffs are taxes imposed by one country on goods imported from another country. Tariffs are trade barriers that raise prices, reduce available quantities of goods and services for US businesses and consumers, and create an economic burden on foreign exporters.
While tariffs are often described as a tax on foreign businesses and do place an economic burden on foreign exporters, the costs are often borne by consumers in the country that is imposing them. Tariffs directly increase the cost of domestic sales by artificially increasing the price on imports. Source: Tax Foundation.org
How do tariffs and duties differ? Duty is a broad, umbrella term for any government-imposed tax on imported goods, while a tariff is a specific type of duty, usually applied as a tax or fee on imports and exports to protect domestic industries or as a political tool in trade negotiations. Think of it as all tariffs are duties, but not all duties are tariffs. Source: Wise.com Companies like mine have always had to pay certain duty fees on imported goods.
Tariffs on Period Products
Period products are essential, and just like other essential items like food, the tarrifs issued by the Trump regime will make the products Americans buy more expensive. Companies are not likely to absorb the full cost of the tariffs they pay on raw materials or goods they manufacture and import to sell in the US. Instead, consumers ultimately pay those costs when the product has to increase the price.
A recent analysis from Goldman Sachs estimated that consumers paid 36% of tariff costs three months and 67% of costs four months after a levy was set. Source: The Guardian
In a recent earnings call, P&G, makers of Always and Tampax, announced in August prices on 1/4 of their US products would increase in a direct response to Trump’s tariffs. Source: Houston Chronical
Period Nirvana joined the retail world in 2020 when we opened the first reusable period e-commerce store in the US. Our goal from the onset was to bring the highest quality menstrual cup, disc, cloth pad, and period underwear brands to Americans under one roof. To do this we have established relationships with many incredible brands that manufacture all over the globe. Germany, Brazil, Canada, and yes, even China.
We are navigating these changes as best we can, but not without a lot of confusion, anger, and sadness. Just take a look at the UPS page listing tariff updates and you can understand what a nightmare it is for businesses to know what is going on at any given moment.
Disposable Period Product Price Changes
The disposable brands Period Nirvana sells at our brick and mortar store include August (made in China, subject to 30% tariffs), Rif Care (made in Spain and subject to the 10% reciprocal tariff), LOLA (liners and tampons made in Europe, 10% tariff, pads made in China, 30% tariff) and DAME, made in the UK and subject to an 11% tariff. Already we have noticed small price increases when re-ordering Dame products, and expect this trend to continue on future orders. So far, we have absorbed that cost, but may have to increase the retail price of tampons and pads or look at other suppliers.
Reusable Period Product Price Changes
Considering Period Nirvana’s main focus, especially at our online store, is on reusable period care there is good news. Even if/when prices increase on our menstrual cups, discs, and cloth reusable products, they will continue to provide cost-savings longterm.
Merula and AllMatters, makers of cups and discs, are made in Germany and subject to the 10% reciprocal tariff. Allmatters is raising their price on all products beginning October 1, and our website will reflect that price change.
Flex, DivaCup, Aisle, Somedays, and Nixit are made in Canada. If the brands qualify as USMCA they can likely avoid the 35% tariff or face a flat fee on their shipments. However, as of August 29 the deminimus rule that allowed for shipments valued under $800 to ship to the US without duties has ended. So far, we have not seen a price increase on these brands related to the tariffs.
Brands and products made in China that Period Nirvana carries include the Hello Disc (a recent change, and at present our stock is still the New Zealand made products), and Intimina (Lily Cup and Ziggy Disc). Other products like cup and disc steamers and some of the other accessory items we carry are also made in China. These products could be facing a 30% tariff but as with all of this, this number and the timeframe changes weekly.
Other products we carry subject to tariffs: Tieut Cup, made in Korea, face a 15% tariff, and Lumma Disc, made in Brazil, is now subject to a 50% tariff. Saalt Wear products, made in Sri Lanka, are subject to a 20% tariff.
Other at least 20 countries are ceasing their postal operations to the US on shipments of goods valued at under $800. This means customers won’t be able to buy from brands in those countries directly, and also that small businesses placing small orders will also be unable to stock brands from those countries.
Made in the US Reusable Period Brands from Period Nirvana
Many of our reusable period products are made in the US. These brands include KIND Cup, Cora Disc, Saalt Cups and Saalt Discs. Our own manufactured item, the Spot drying rack, is made in the US. Recently, due to rising costs not necessarily related to tariffs, Saalt raised their prices a few dollars per item and that change is already in effect. Cora Disc also raised their price within the last year a few dollars. So even though these items are made in the US some have gone up in price.
Inflation across the board is rampant and the cost of living is the highest it’s been in modern times since 1981. Businesses like mine are only able to absorb some of the higher costs of goods we sell caused by tariffs. For products from each county of origin that ship into the US, the importer (a business like mine or the consumer directly) is responsible for the tariff bill. To be clear – the country of origin sender/manufacturer does NOT pay the tariff. We, the consumer of the imported product or the reseller, pay the 10-50% additional tariff.
And to further clarify – the cost of living crisis and higher costs on all goods is the direct result of Trump’s policies.
Yes – Period Product Prices are Going Up
Like everything else, consumers will soon see prices increase if they haven’t already on tampons, pads, menstrual cups, discs, cloth pads, and period underwear. And in this constantly changing environment, the only certainty we can predict is that this category will have higher prices and likely, less selection as more countries stop shipping to the US. In a global economy everything we buy here in America is affected by the new tariffs. Even US made products are increasing prices.
If you have a reusable cup or disc, or a nice set of washable period products, you can weather this hopefully temporary storm when it comes to meeting your period needs. If you are able to make the switch to reusable products, now would be the best time when prices haven’t yet increased across the board. But even if you make the decision in a few months and pay an extra $2-$5 for your product the longterm savings will still be there.
All of this, on top of the luxury tax still applied to period products in 18 states.
To offset the price increases you can use your HSA/FSA funds. If your insurance plan includes flexible spending, these dollars are “pre-tax” which can amount to a 20-30% savings when used to purchase products like your tampons, cups, or period underwear. See our HSA/FSA spending guide and HSA/FSA eligible period products.
Period products are essential. If you can’t afford pads or tampons there are places to find them free of charge like period pantries, some food banks, many public bathrooms (check with your local library!), or from your school.
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