As students savor the last dregs of summer before heading back to school, many families are shopping for supplies earlier this year to get ahead of tariffs.

Over half of U.S. households that earn less than $50,000 a year say they plan to buy only essential school items, while 74% say they are shopping earlier than usual to avoid a potential hit from tariffs, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), a trade organization that opposes higher import duties.

Many back-to-school essentials, from clothing and footwear to personal electronics, are imported. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that the U.S. tariff rate on such goods has jumped to an average of 18% this year, more than triple the 5% rate in 2024.

Families with children in kindergarten through 12th grade

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