While DC lobbyists and U.S. trading partners race to negotiate carve-outs from sweeping new tariffs that went into effect at midnight, a new analysis shows American families are paying the price for back-to-school essentials.
The analysis of 2025 tariff rates as of August 7 shows massive increases on essential school items, with tariff rates of nearly 50% on backpacks, 38% on sweatshirts, and over 50% on water bottles. In many cases, rates have doubled or tripled since 2021. Since tariffs are charged far upstream in the supply chain, their cost is baked into the price of everyday products.
“Washington should be working toward a policy of zero tariffs, zero subsidies, and zero trade barriers, all of which would protect American families from higher costs when buying backpacks, pencils, and ponytail holders,” National Taxpayers Union President Pete Sepp said. “Higher tariffs do the opposite for parents trying to afford back to school season. Congress and President Donald Trump just achieved welcome, major tax relief by working together on the One Big Beautiful Bill, and they should do so again by tackling regressive trade taxes.”
The sharpest increases from 2021 rates include:
- Ponytail holders: up from 18.3% (2021) to 55.2% (2025)
- Water bottles: up from 3.2% to 50.5%
- Tennis rackets: up from 5.1% to 51.4%
- Ballpoint pens: now taxed at 0.8 cents each + 35.5%, up from 10.5%
- Pencils: 14 cents per 144 pencils + 26.5%, up from 4.6%
- Backpacks: up from 23.5% to as high as 49.1%
“American families deserve access to goods without needless extra taxes imposed by their government,” Sepp said. “At back-to-school time, the one clear lesson is that freer trade is a fairer shake for parents and kids.”
See the breakdown of the 2025 tariff rates on common school-related imports and how they compare to previous years.
Visit tariffs-report.com to see stories about how tariffs are affecting everyday consumers and businesses.