Navigating Global Tariffs With Your Smoke Shop

It’s no secret that global tariffs have hit the market and caused some serious shock waves with their initial arrival. But in spite of all this, Got Vape Wholesale is here to help us all take a moment to stop, review the changes with sober minds, and figure out the best possible path to move forward in these turbulent times.

Think of for instance the earthquake proof buildings made in Japan. Instead of following traditional construction methods, which when exposed to the turbulent geo forces of a quake quickly crumble and topple from all of the movement, the sky scrapers in Japan have been designed to literally move with the quake itself.

To anticipate these volatile movements, engineers in Japan installed rubber pads, shock absorbers, and specially designed flexible bases. This has allowed massive cities like Tokyo to exist amidst these chaotic earthquakes, with zero fear that things will fall apart.

Today we are going to be using this exact same logic, of shoring up our foundations to ensure your smoke shop can move with the ebb and flow of global tariffs. This way your business is going to be able to withstand the changes tariffs bring and stand tall amidst all of the shifting landscapes.

Table of Contents:

What Are Tariffs?
How Will Tariffs Affect My Smoke Shop?
How Can I Help My Smoke Shop With Tariffs?
Stay Calm About Tariffs
Nail The Fundamentals
Review Your Current Stock
Invest In Your Business Relationships
Stay Informed
Got Vape Wholesale Has Your Back

What Are Tariffs?

So what are tariffs exactly? Well to spill the T on tariffs, essentially these are a special kind of tax that is levied on imports from foreign countries.

We aren’t going to get into the who, what, why of tariffs - but instead put our energy into simply dealing with them and positioning ourselves to come out on top. It’s important to invest your energy into the parts of your business that you actually have control over, instead of bemoaning forces outside of your control.

That’s why instead of wallowing in worry, we are going to turn and face the strain to take on these ch-ch-changes head first. By doing this, you are going to position your smoke shop to ride out this wave and even come out better than before.

How Will Tariffs Affect My Smoke Shop?

To put it simply, tariffs are going to affect the prices at your smoke shop. How much and on how many is up to be seen, but for now those specifics aren’t important. What is important is to keep your eye on the prize which is supplying your customers with the best possible products and for the best prices that the market allows.

Proving this point, just think all the way back to 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic also shook up the global markets and disrupted the status quo. Just like before, we made it to the other side and even figured out how to thrive along the way. 

Also keep in mind that during the pandemic, many of the products that your smoke shop sells became essentials needed by customers to get through the uncertain times. That means signs are strong that your sales should continue to stay steady and may even end up rising.

It’s best to take the changes as they come in waves, so don’t over analyze every step and instead focus on your own realities. With things changing so rapidly, it’s best to wait till the earthquake stops so to speak before you make your moves.

How Can I Help My Smoke Shop With Tariffs?

So how can you best navigate these new tariffs? While there is no one pre ordained path to follow, there are some ways that you can put your best foot forward. These include staying calm, nailing your fundamentals, reviewing your stock, and more - all easily accomplishable tasks that will have a big impact on how your business progresses.

To assist with this, we’ve put together some methods that you can employ to give your shop a boost and ensure your business floats gently down the stream during this tsunami of industry changes.

Stay Calm About Tariffs

First and foremost, when it comes to tariffs you need to keep calm and carry on. While the news will have you feeling like the sky is falling, the reality is that we are all in this together and that the changes will eventually even themselves out.

In fact, we are in many ways poised to navigate these changes better than other industries thanks to the simple fact we’ve been here before. Much like James Franco opining “first time?” while greeting a man joining him on the gallows, smoke shops have long had to deal with sudden changes in regulations and laws.

Due to all of the alternative products and ground breaking experiences that we work with, the idea of having to alter course and find new ways to make sales is something we have a ton of experience with.

That’s why when it comes to tariffs you really should tune out the doomsaying, and instead start thinking how you can make your business as malleable to industry sways as possible. You want to be aware of everything that is going on, but don’t get caught up in speculation and instead focus your energy on what you can change.

Where one door shuts, another one is always opened. That’s why Got Vape Wholesale is confident that with a little bit of elbow grease, smoke shops are going to come out on top of this shift.

Nail The Fundamentals

Now more than ever, having the fundamentals of your smoke shop on lock is absolutely essential to keeping the lights on. You want to ensure that every aspect of your business is firing on all cylinders including your customer service, inventory, and interior design.

With customers becoming a bit more choosey with their wallets, you want your shop to check all the boxes and be the pleasant, reliable, and go-to spot that people truly want to come back to again and again.

To assist with this, we recommend going back to some of our previous articles discussing how your shop can stand out better, ensuring your business is beginner friendly, and how you can better display your products for maximized profits.

On the internal side of things, we also recommend tightening up your core financial elements by reading up on how you can both reduce your risk of chargebacks and find a credit card processor that works best for your smoke shop.

Review Your Current Stock

With things in fluctuation, the old adage that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush has never been more readily apparent. This is why we recommend taking a comprehensive look at all of your current stock and double checking where you are at.

By reviewing what you have, you will be able to make crystal clear decisions when it comes to stocking up again and will be able to utilize the resources here at Got Vape Wholesale to precisely carry the products customers are after.

Additionally, the tariffs present an opportunity for your back stock items to find a new life and gain popularity amongst customers. With some supply chains being affected, having your products in stock and physically there to purchase is going to become more of a bonus with shoppers.

The lower price points of your back stock are going to be incredibly popular with customers, making what used to be an anchor on your smoke shop into a temporary sail.

Invest In Your Business Relationships

Another top tip is to make sure you are doing your best to invest in your various business relationships and to maintain a good line of communication with all of your distributors. As they are the ones who will be relaying you real time information, staying in touch is a great way to not get caught out of the loop.

Since we are all in this together, the only way to make the most of things is to work together and stick by your partners. In the wild west days they would circle their wagons if they were unsure or worried about potential danger. Since these tariffs provide uncertainty and opportunity, we believe by circling together ourselves we can ensure our continued success.

Not only will this help you in the immediate, but it is these trail by fire moments that solidify the longest lasting and most profitable of business relationships. By riding out the potentially rough waters of tariffs, you will set yourself up for success and brighten your smoke shop's future forever.

Stay Informed

In the coming weeks and months, it's important for you to keep your eyes and ears open for any updates that may affect your business. To do this we recommend staying in close contact with your distributors, in order to ensure you have up to date knowledge on pricing.

Don’t obsess over headlines and conjecture, instead take the time to speak with the people who have the cold hard facts in order to make your life much easier. By having a strong grip on price points, you will be primed to make deals at the right moments for bigger profits.

Always remember that with any changes, there is an immense amount of opportunity to rise to the occasion and position yourself to come out on top. That’s why keeping your head up and looking at the forest through the trees amidst tariffs is the best possible way to go forward.

Got Vape Wholesale Has Your Back

With all of this in mind, we wanted to reiterate that Got Vape Wholesale is going to be with you every single step of the way. That means you're not going alone, but instead with the help of us and 20+ years of industry knowledge.

Stick with us and we can guarantee that you will not only make it through the tariff changes, but come out the other side with more profits, success, and customers than ever before. Remember that it’s times like these that the best businesses are forged and the most savvy owners are able to see their earnings skyrocket.

To stay up to date on the most recent news and releases, check out some of our previous Smoke Shop Blog Posts detailing the best new products to have in stock this 4/20 and learn about the most popular 2025 vaping trends.