Creators selling goods say tariffs and trade policy have cost sales and disrupted supply chains

Multiple witnesses at a House Small Business Committee hearing said recent U.S. trade and tariff changes disrupted supply chains for creators who sell physical goods and that the uncertainty has generated direct revenue losses.

Jesse Appel, founder of Jesse’s Tea House, testified that tariffs and sudden policy changes halted shipments from China that his business depended on and cost his enterprise roughly $250,000 in lost sales. “During the trade war, I had to skip a May subscription box because our shipment sat in port,” Appel said. He described de minimis threshold changes that led to postal delays and unpredictability for multi‑month production cycles.

Nicholas Luciano, founder of Tractor House, said rising costs for merchandise and fulfillment have forced him to raise prices at events and retail booths, reducing sales volume and reinvestment capacity. Witnesses said the frequency of tariff announcements and reversals made planning and pricing difficult for small sellers that rely on predictable lead times.

Committee members pressed witnesses on the practical effects of these measures and heard calls for small‑business exemptions or streamlined treatment for low‑volume imports tied to direct‑to‑consumer creators. Witnesses recommended policy coordination and clearer notice to avoid repeated disruptions to small sellers and subscription services.