Fireworks dealers in Houston face challenges with new tariffs on Chinese imports, raising prices for July 4th celebrations.
SPRING, Texas — With the Fourth of July around the corner, fireworks stands across the Houston area are stocked and ready, but this year’s celebration might hit your wallet harder than expected.
At Top Dog Fireworks in Spring, dealers say they’ve prepared for the holiday rush, but not without navigating some serious economic turbulence.
Tariffs driving up costs
Roughly 95% of fireworks sold in the U.S. are imported from China, and dealers typically place their orders in the winter. But this year, uncertainty loomed after a 20% tariff on Chinese goods was announced in March, and by April, reciprocal tariffs soared as high as 145%.
“I think that it’s those vendors, it’s those families and small businesses that are going to be hurt the most by the tariffs,” said Dr. Christian Raschke, an economist at Sam Houston State University.
“Given that we have a luxury good that is provided by small family businesses and imported by importers from China where there’s a lot of market concentration in China itself,” Raschke added, “there’s not much room to shift costs.”
While experts say most consumers may not notice if they have “a few fewer firecrackers or seas of red instead of the blue,” the real squeeze is on the small businesses who’ve had to absorb rising inventory costs.
How to shop smart
Despite the pressure on vendors, many dealers say there are still good prices to be found if you shop around and compare offerings. Prices may vary depending on how early dealers placed their orders and how much inventory they held over from last year.
Fireworks safety reminders
With the excitement of Independence Day celebrations, safety remains top of mind, especially considering nearly 10,000 Americans were injured by fireworks in 2023, resulting in 8 deaths, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- Use fireworks outdoors only
- Keep a safe distance from ignited fireworks
- Never relight a dud
- Soak used fireworks in water before throwing them away
- Check local laws in your county before lighting fireworks
Looking ahead
Fireworks remain on store shelves this season, but dealers warn that long-term price stability could be at risk if tariff tensions continue.