James Martin/CNET
Amazon Prime Day, the mega retailer's summer shopping event, is here -- doubling in size from two to four days, Tuesday through Friday. Exclusive to Prime members, it offers some of the best Amazon deals of the year, but looming price hikes due to tariffs could leave you wondering how much of a savings you can expect.
President Donald Trump's "reciprocal tariffs" have plenty of us feeling antsy about prices. According to a recent CNET survey, 64% of shoppers said they've bought or plan to buy a tech product soon to avoid price increases or shortages. Prime Day could be a good opportunity to scoop up deals before prices go up any further.
Most imported products for Prime Day will likely already be in the US and shouldn't be subject to any newly imposed tariffs, according to Timothy Meyer, Richard Allen/Cravath distinguished professor in international business law at Duke University School of Law.
"If for some reason the goods have not already been imported, then they could be affected by any tariffs," he said. "Sellers could not pass on the price of the tariffs after the consumer has purchased the goods."
Amazon launched Prime Day back in 2015, and savvy shoppers have eagerly anticipated this annual event ever since. Our CNET Deals team will track all the best deals throughout the event so you can score the lowest prices. This will help you navigate the sale and stay ahead of any tariff-based price rises.
Read more: Don't Wait: Score an Instant $200 Amazon Gift Card Ahead of Prime Day With This Card
Watch this: Should You Buy Now or Wait? Our Experts Weigh In on Tariffs 09:42
How could tariffs affect Prime Day deals?
Prices on everything, including appliances, are expected to rise as a result of Trump's sweeping tariffs, and some already have. Trump announced the tariffs in April, quickly putting them on a 90-day pause. He's since announced three deals -- with the UK, China and Vietnam -- and he announced this week that he's extending his original July 9 deadline to Aug. 1 for some countries.
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