Talk of tariffs has taken the American manufacturing industry by storm throughout 2025. With new and increased tariffs constantly being placed on and off the table, many injection molders are seeking potential new avenues to future-proof their supply chains.

Of course it’s not just tariffs on plastic components and raw materials that impact American injection molders. Steel and aluminum tariffs likewise play a major role, affecting the price of molds, tooling, machine parts, and many other critical components.

To put the market in perspective, the plastics industry in 2023 saw U.S. imports totaling $73.3 billion, exceeded by exports which totaled $74.2 billion. Tariffs can have a huge effect on both sides of that coin: imported products become more expensive, which includes end consumer products as well as manufacturing equipment and materials. That means American manufacturers’ production costs go up, which likewise raises the price they have to charge for the products they’re exporting.

To say the least, it’s a delicate balance between protecting the domestic injection molding market while keeping international trade flowing and efficient. Regardless, it’s becoming more crucial than ever for injection molders to establish reliable partnerships with domestic equipment manufacturers like Polyshot.

A Brief Primer on How Tariffs Work

In essence, tariffs are taxes imposed by governments on imported goods from other countries. Typically, the stated goal is to protect domestic industries by regulating trade. In many cases, it’s simultaneously (or even primarily) a means for a government to generate increased revenue.

When a tariff is applied, the importer pays the additional cost. In other words, it’s essentially a tax for American manufacturers that source components from outside of the US. The idea is that as the cost of imported goods increases, they become less competitive versus products which are fully produced domestically, thus spurring American manufacturing.

However, the issue is that the manufacturing infrastructure and/or supply chains for many products simply don’t exist in America, and would take years to establish. That means many companies are left with no other option than to import at the now more costly rate, most likely raising their prices and passing on costs to the end consumer. Depending on the specific tariff, that may include injection molded components, raw materials, and/or the actual molds and tooling.

Ultimately, all of these costs combined dictate what injection molders can charge to end customers while remaining profitable.

Polyshot: Your American Source for Precision Injection Molding Equipment

Backed by more than 35 years of experience in the industry, Polyshot is one of the premier American manufacturers specializing in precision-built injection molding equipment and hot runner systems. We offer all the advantages of working with a domestic manufacturer: no language barriers, no international shipping delays, and no complex tariffs to navigate.

We develop, design, and build innovative molding equipment right here in West Henrietta, New York, keeping our manufacturing processes lean and our customer service responsive to your needs. Unlike typical equipment providers who often only build to specification, Polyshot thrives at problem solving: we help customers overcome their unique production challenges.

Whether you’re struggling with cost, efficiency, or end product quality, we’ll work closely with you to deliver high-performance equipment optimized for your unique manufacturing needs. Plus, whenever new tariffs are imposed, our Made in the USA products will remove one more potentially huge cost from your budget.

• No tariffs or unexpected import fees.
• Responsive communication with no language barriers.
• Reduced lead times – rapid turnaround for critical products when required.
• Spare parts in stock in the USA, ready to ship when you need them.

Quality American Manufacturing for Injection Molders Since 1989

Polyshot Corporation specializes in the development of advanced hot runner systems to injection molding companies worldwide. Backed by more than 35 years of innovation and experience, our company continues to help our customers remain at the cutting edge of industry.