Tariff Trouble Ahead? Why the Fujifilm X-E5 Could Be Most at Risk – and What You Can Do Now

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New Troubles for Fujifilm X-E5

A few weeks ago we wrote an article in which we go through all the struggles the X-E line had to deal with.

Well, the challenges for the X-E line might as well continue with the Fujifilm X-E5.

And in today article I will try to give an answer to the questions some FR-readers made me about how the new tariffs could impact the Fujifilm X-E5 pre-orders.

The news is this: the U.S. set to increase tariffs on Japanese-made products from 10% to 25% starting August 1st. And I would not be surprised if the Fujifilm X-E5 could become one of the first victims of the new policy.

  • Disclaimer 1: This is a well-reasoned assumption on my part, but not a confirmed rumor or official information—so please treat it as speculation
  • Disclaimer 2: My assumption is based on the very likely scenario that, just like the X100VI, X-T5, X-T50, and X-M5, the X-E5 units bound for the U.S. market will also be manufactured in Japan to avoid the even riskier China tariff policy of the US (which at some point even reached 145%)

So, if Disclaimer 2 turns out to be correct—that is, if the Fujifilm X-E5 units for the U.S. market are indeed made in Japan (as is the case with the X100VI, X-T5, X-T50, and X-M5)—then it’s safe to assume that the X-E5’s launch price was likely calculated based on the current 10% tariff.

And that could be a problem.

Because the Fujifilm X-E5 is officially scheduled to ship on August 28. This means the units destined for the U.S. will likely arrive sometime in mid-August, well after the new 25% tariff goes into effect.

Any shipments arriving after August 1st (pretty much every X-E5 unit) would likely incur the new 25% tariff.

This puts the X-E5 in a particularly vulnerable position—probably priced under one tariff regime (10%) but potentially delivered under another (25%).

So, unlike existing made in Japan gear (X-T5 & Co) already in Fujifilm’s U.S. warehouses (or arriving there before August 1st), the Fujifilm X-E5 could be among the first products affected by the higher rate, putting upward pressure on prices.

Whether Fujifilm will absorb the extra cost or pass it on to customers remains unclear—but the risk of a price increase is real, and growing.

🔒 The Smart Move: Pre-Order the X-E5 Now to Lock in the Price 🔒

Given what we have discussed, it’s hard to ignore the risk of a post-launch price increase for the X-E5.

That’s why, if you’re seriously considering the Fujifilm X-E5, the best move right now mighe be to pre-order it as soon as possible.

By placing your order today, you’re not just reserving your camera—you’re also locking in the current price, which was very likely calculated under the existing 10% tariff structure.

So if the X-E5 is on your wishlist, don’t wait until August to make your move. Pre-ordering now might be the most cost-effective decision you can make.

And keep in mind: you’ll still have plenty of time to decide whether to keep your pre-order, since the camera isn’t shipping until August 28. Pre-ordering now costs you nothing, but it locks in the current price and protects you in case prices go up later. And in the unfortunate scenario that it goes up, also the price for second hand units will go up.

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Amazon Prime Deals Launched: Save Big on Viltrox Lenses, Storage Media, Drones, Apple Products and More

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Amazon Prime Pages

NP-W235 Batteries and Chargers

X Mount Lens Deals – USA (but similar Deals should be available also in EUROPE)

Storage Media

APPLE and Other Mixed Deals

Accessories

General Lens Deal Pages

SMALLRIG – save up to 50% on hundreds of SmallRig products

SmallRig for Fujifilm

SmallRig Lights and Tripods

EUROPE DEALS

Amazon Germany direct links to deals:

Amazon UK:

Amazon France:

Amazon Italy:

Amazon Spain:

 

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Amazon Europea Prime Deals are Now Live – Save Big on Third Party X mount Lenses, Apple Gear and More

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The Amazon Prime deals just started in Europe with lots of deals on storage media, third party X mount lenses and much more.

Below you find the dedicated deal pages as well as links to dedicated brand deal sections.

EUROPE

NORTH AMERICA

SMALLRIG – save up to 50% on hundreds of SmallRig products – Detailed List Below

Amazon Germany direct links to deals:

Amazon UK:

Amazon France:

Amazon Italy:

Amazon Spain:

SMALLRIG – save up to 50% on hundreds of SmallRig products

SmallRig for Fujifilm

SmallRig Lights

SmallRig Tripods

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25% Tariffs on Japanese Goods Starting August 1 – Fujifilm Prices at Risk?

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The U.S. administration has announced that, starting August 1st, tariffs on products made in Japan will increase from 10% to 25% (and even higher if Japan retaliates with its own tariffs).

As you may know, Fujifilm has worked hard to keep prices stable, going so far as to move the production of several camera lines from China to Japan to avoid even higher tariffs.

That strategy has helped so far. But with the new 25% tariffs taking effect in August, it may become increasingly difficult for Fujifilm to avoid raising prices. I genuinely hope they’ll find a way, but the situation is looking more challenging than ever.

Of course, the decision is yours. But if I lived in the U.S. and was planning to buy Fujifilm gear, I’d seriously consider doing it in the near future to avoid potential price increases.

How soon could we see a price increase?

Personally, I don’t think it will happen immediately on August 1st, as some are predicting. I believe Fujifilm will do everything they can to delay it—likely by stocking up U.S. warehouses with as much gear as possible before the tariffs kick in. But once that inventory runs low and new shipments subject to the higher tariffs start arriving, that’s when a price hike becomes much more likely.

Related Articles

Fujifilm US Products – Dedicated Pages

Fujifilm Products now Made in Japan for US market:

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Fujinon XF 16-200 vs XF 18-135 Size Comparison and Thoughts

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We recently took a look at the 8 remaining lenses Fujifilm has “under consideration” for future release.

And since I love this lens here, I picked as my favorite future lens the Fujinon XF16-200mm superzoom.

Now, I know it would make me look more “Pro” if I’d advocate for red-badge fast lenses.

But hey, if Melinda Sue Gordon shoots the official backstage images of the Dunkirk blockbuster with the XF18-135mm lens – we reported here – then I guess the lens is plenty of good enough also for my much more humble needs.

With that said, I decided to take a closer look at the potential XF16-200mm, based on specs given to us by Fujifilm (and turned into the above silhouette by FR-reader Hiergeist), to see if the XF16-200mm could really be a potential replacement for the XF18-135mm.

  • Fujinon XF 16-200mm
    – length 120-140mm
    – diameter 70-80
    – weight 600-800g
  • Fujinon XF 18-135mm
    – length 97.8mm at minium extension and 156mm at maximum extension
    – diameter 75.7
    – weight 490g

We can see: especially on the shorter side of the range given to us by Fujifilm, the XF16-200 would be quite close in size to the current XF18-135mm (just about 22mm longer and 110g heavier).

If Fujifilm would launch the Fujinon XF16-200mm, then I would surely buy it to replace the XF18-135mm.

In fact, after I bought the XF18-135mm I sold both my XF18-55mm and XF55-200mm. But having again the option to go all the way at 200mm and also to go wider at 16mm would be very welcome, especially if the overall size and weight increase are contained as suggested by the specs shared by Fujifilm.

So, I stand by my wish: if I have to pick one, I would like the Fujinon XF 16-200mm.

But again, feel free to drop your wish and vote here.

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