Article Summary –
School supply prices are significantly higher in the U.S. due to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, affecting a range of imported goods like paper items, pens, glue sticks, and computers, despite the Supreme Court striking down the original tariffs. The Trump administration’s subsequent tariffs, including those under Sections 122 and 301 of the Trade Act, have kept prices elevated, with a coalition of 25 states suing for their cancellation and refund. Groundwork Collaborative data shows an 8% increase in back-to-school costs in 2026 compared to 2025, translating to an average of $175 more per family, with items like lunchboxes and notebooks seeing substantial price hikes.
As parents nationwide prepare for back-to-school season, Americans are encountering a significant rise in school supply costs compared to previous years. Experts attribute the surge to President Donald Trump’s extensive tariffs on imported goods from various countries.
According to Tibor Besedes, an economics professor at Georgia Tech, many school supplies such as paper, pens, glue sticks, and computers are primarily imported. “Everything is costlier due to the tariffs,” he explains.
Originally, Trump’s tariffs, established on “Liberation Day” in April 2025, imposed rates between 10% and 145% on imports from countries like China. Although these were overturned by the Supreme Court in February, new tariffs were quickly enacted.
Trump initially used the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to implement tariffs. After this avenue was blocked, he introduced a 10% tariff on most imports, excluding certain goods and products from Canada and Mexico under a 2020 trade agreement, using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. However, these expired after 150 days in July.
Just before expiration, a new round of tariffs, ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from 59 countries and the EU, was announced under Section 301 of the Trade Act, targeting nations involved in forced labor. Consequently, 25 U.S. states are suing the Trump administration to annul and refund these tariffs, which impact over 99% of U.S. imports.
Besedes notes the tariffs have consistently kept prices elevated. He states, “Inflation might have decreased slightly, but tariffs are keeping costs high.”
Some items saw price increases pre-tariff but remain expensive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported educational books and supplies rose 9% year-over-year from May 2024 to May 2025.
Private data offers a more striking view. Groundwork Collaborative highlighted in July that back-to-school items cost 8% more in 2026 than in 2025, averaging $175 more per family. Their research showed lunchboxes at nearly $19, a 26% hike from $14.91 last year, and notebooks now at $5, up from $4 in 2025.
The BLS data also indicated a 4% increase in sports equipment prices from December 2025 to June 2026, impacting parents of athletic children.
Rudi Leuschner, a Rutgers University supply chain management professor, commented, “The tariffs’ fluctuations have become the new normal.”
Leuschner offers a silver lining: back-to-school prices aren’t expected to rise further this year. “Retailers have adjusted prices as much as possible under the new tariff regime,” he says.
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