In the shifting tides of global trade, a new wave has arrived—one that touches every part of our ecosystem, from the roots of our partnerships overseas to the shelves that hold our carefully crafted products. Just this week, the U.S. government has imposed new tariffs on imports from China and several other countries. For businesses like ours—ones that operate with global vision, deep-rooted ethics, and a relentless dedication to quality—this is more than just a line on a policy paper. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and reaffirm what we stand for.
The new tariffs disrupt this rhythm. They increase the cost of importing materials and goods from regions we rely on—not just because they are the most economical, but because they are the best. And in a world where cost often overshadows conscience, that matters more than ever.
There’s a common misunderstanding about how tariffs actually work. While they are imposed on the supplier country—in this case, China and others—the cost of the tariff is paid by the importing company, which is us, here in the United States. It’s not a fee that foreign manufacturers absorb; it’s a surcharge we take on when bringing in goods. This additional cost is passed directly through to the end consumer, leading to immediate or even premature price increases.
With these tariffs looming, many US companies have already responded by raising their prices—dramatically and swiftly. In the skincare, wellness, and lifestyle sectors, it’s becoming common to see price hikes with little to no communication or clarity. And while that may be a standard business decision, we believe our customers deserve more than a reflexive markup. We believe they deserve clarity, intention, and a brand that will help carry the burden, not just shift it.
At FableRune, we will not be raising our prices at this time.
We’ve had long, honest conversations with our partners. We’ve run the numbers, forwards and backwards. We’ve asked ourselves the hard questions, not only about cost, but about value, trust, and who we want to be when the road gets steep.
And the answer is clear: we want to be a brand that holds steady, when the world shakes.
We will continue to offer our products at the same prices for as long as we possibly can, in hopes that a new trade agreement—one that prioritizes long-term vision over reactionary policy—will come. History shows us that tariffs come and go, but consumer prices rarely follow in kind. Once a price is raised, it tends to stay raised, even if the reason behind the hike disappears. This feels disingenuous to us, and we refuse to play the game.
Your trust is more important than our margins. It’s a truth we return to every time we stand at a crossroad. In moments like this, we’re reminded that business is not just about survival—it’s about community.
We also know this decision may come at a cost. If these tariffs remain in place long-term, we will feel the pressure - we already do. But if we’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s that sustainability doesn’t only apply to ingredients or packaging—it applies to relationships. And our relationship with you, our customers, and our overseas partners, is the reason we exist.
You have trusted us to be more than a brand. You’ve let us be part of your rituals, your healing, your joy. In return, we promise to continue being open, accountable, and transparent.
So here’s what we’re doing behind the scenes:
- Maintaining close communication with our international partners, ensuring we understand how these tariffs impact their work and ours, so we can adapt together rather than apart.
- Reevaluating our supply chain for resilience, not compromise. That means looking for efficiencies, not shortcuts—ways to maintain quality and ethics while managing cost.
- Absorbing increased import costs ourselves for the time being, instead of passing them on to you. This won’t be easy, but for us it’s right.
- Advocating for smarter trade policies that support small businesses, ethical manufacturing, and global cooperation. This is bigger than us, but our voice matters—and we’ll use it.
- Keeping you informed every step of the way. If the landscape changes, if we’re forced to make adjustments, you’ll hear it from us first—clearly, honestly, and with the full story behind it.
What you can do: If you're reading this, you're already part of the solution. You’re the kind of person who cares where things come from and how they’re made. In this moment, your continued support—whether through a purchase, a word-of-mouth share, or simply staying informed—makes a difference. It allows us to continue standing in alignment with our values while weathering the storm.
We’ve built FableRune on a foundation of integrity, not convenience. Every formula, vessel, and piece of packaging has a story—a relationship, a handshake, a promise. Many of our partners, from raw material suppliers to packaging artisans, are based overseas. These are not faceless factories selected for speed and scale. They are family-run businesses, women-led co-ops, and generational manufacturers who have become part of our extended team. We’ve seen their warehouse facilities, shared laughs across language barriers, and chosen them not only for their exceptional skill, but for their unwavering commitment to ethical labor and environmental mindfulness.
“Why not manufacture everything here in the United States?” The truth is more nuanced than most people realize. There are very few manufacturers in the U.S. who currently produce glass, and even fewer are able to make the kind of small-batch, high-clarity, cosmetic-grade glass vessels we use for our skincare and candle collections. The machinery, the expertise, and the artisanal approach to glassware production that we value simply do not exist domestically. This applies to ingredients as well. Many of our botanical extracts are sourced from their native country, where the plant thrives organically and can be sustainably grown and harvested.
And while the phrase “Made in China” has often been unfairly associated with exploitation, we want to speak openly about what we’ve learned from working closely with our Chinese manufacturing partners. There is a persistent misconception that low costs in China are a result of unethical labor practices—but the reality is far more complex. Much of the cost difference comes down to a lower cost of living and significantly fewer regulatory and compliance requirements compared to manufacturing in the U.S. The Chinese government provides substantial support and resources to subsidise and build up the infrastructure and promote industry in their country. The manufacturers we partner with are proudly ethical, transparent, and deeply invested in the wellbeing of their workers.
Rebuilding U.S. manufacturing would require far more than imposing punitive tariffs. It would take a generational shift in policy and investment. The current administration—and any future president that truly wants to bring manufacturing home—would need to offer substantial incentives: massive tax credits for domestic manufacturers, subsidies for worker’s compensation and health insurance, federal support for vocational and trade school education, interest free loans, and grants to help businesses afford the high startup costs of American-based production. The cost of doing business in the U.S. is high not because of greed, but because of the sheer weight of overhead, insurance, compliance, equipment, and outdated infrastructure. Until those challenges are addressed at their root, tariffs alone won’t level the playing field—they’ll just tilt it further away from small, ethical businesses trying to do the right thing.
Even with the steep increase in tariffs—some reaching up to 145%—the final landed cost of goods from countries like China is still often less expensive than attempting to manufacture those same goods in the United States… assuming you could even find a manufacturer willing and equipped to do it. That’s the reality we face—not for lack of patriotism, but because the U.S. no longer has the infrastructure to support small-to-mid scale product manufacturing at a price that makes sense for the consumer.
This is a time when businesses are being tested. And while we can’t control global trade policy, we can choose how we respond—with integrity, with creativity, and with care.
We will keep standing for fair labor. We will keep standing for true craftsmanship. We will keep standing for transparency.
Bobbie + Jeriel
