How Upcoming U.S. Tariffs Could Impact Lithium-Ion Battery Prices — and How RPE Is Staying Ahead

 Overview: Tariffs Rising November 1 — What It Means for the Battery Industry

The U.S. government has confirmed new trade measures that will increase tariffs on Chinese-made lithium-ion batteries by up to 100 percent starting November 1, 2025.
These tariff adjustments are part of a broader Section 301 action aimed at reshaping global manufacturing and supply chains for high-tech components — including EV batteries, solar cells, and semiconductors.

While the goal of the policy is to strengthen U.S. production, it also means importers and distributors face steep cost increases for cells sourced directly from China beginning this fall.

 Which Products Are Affected?

According to official White House documentation and recent trade analyses:

For lithium-ion cells commonly used in e-bikes, solar storage, and portable power, this could mean noticeable price hikes and longer delivery times starting late 2025 into 2026.

How Rechargeable Power Energy Is Responding

At RPE, we’ve been preparing for this shift all year.
We now source Samsung SDI cells from multiple certified production sites, including Malaysia, giving our partners a tariff-protected supply option outside of China.

Every batch comes with:

• Certificate of Origin (COO) from the manufacturer

• UN 38.3 / UL 1642 / IEC certifications

• Full batch traceability and testing documentation

This ensures the same Samsung quality — regardless of production location — while helping customers maintain stable pricing and avoid unnecessary import duties.

Why Timing Matters

Most tariff adjustments are calculated based on the import date, not the purchase order date.
That means:

• Orders shipped by sea before November 1 may still clear customs under current rates.

• Delayed or air-shipped orders arriving after November 1 could face the full tariff increase.

For OEM and dealer clients, planning your Q4 and early-2026 inventory now can mean thousands in savings and uninterrupted production.

How to Stay Ahead

Here’s what we recommend to all our partners and clients:

1. Lock in current pricing before November 1.
   Confirm sea-freight schedules early to guarantee your spot.

2. Ask about Malaysia-origin supply.
   These cells offer comparable performance and may remain tariff-exempt.

3. Request documentation.
   RPE provides full COOs and compliance paperwork for your internal records.

4. Stay informed.
   Follow our updates — we’ll continue tracking trade developments and updating customers as new rules take effect.

Trade policies evolve, but smart planning can protect your bottom line.
By diversifying our supply chain and maintaining transparent certification standards, Rechargeable Power Energy ensures our clients can keep building — without disruption. Need help planning your next shipment?
Contact us at sales@rpe-na.com or visit www.rpe-na.com for real-time pricing and supply options.