Tariff pricing remains uncertain as fireworks vendors prepare for next year

WILLISTON, N.D. (KUMV) - Fireworks vendors are already looking ahead to the next Fourth of July. They have to make their purchases soon in order to get new stock from China in time.

How much inflation and tariffs impact those prices remains to be seen.

Adam Natwick with Explosive Enterprises in Williston said the base price is usually the same. He explained that it’s the shipping and tariff pricing that remains variable.

“We have to pay for a good chunk of it now. We will probably pay 75% down and then the rest when it hits the water. We will know what the final price is in May of next year,” said Natwick.

He said his concern is for the smaller stands, which may be hard pressed to keep up with higher tariff prices.

A trade deal between the U.S. and China last month placed a 55% tariff on Chinese imports.

Virtually all fireworks are produced in China.