Tariff-Proofing your School’s Tech Budget: Maximize Savings with ILTPP

Note: New US tariff policy is currently very fluid, with changes coming as frequently as multiple times within a single day. All tariff information – including categories, amounts, and targets – is accurate at time of publishing.

Educational technology’s procurement landscape has shifted significantly since January with the re-imposition and expansion of tariffs on imports. Since President Trump began his second term, his administration has moved quickly to implement a variety of tariffs, including blanket tariffs on all products from countries such as China, Canada, and Mexico, as well as targeted tariffs on raw materials such as steel, aluminum, and semiconductors.

Taken together, these taxes (which are paid by US-based importers) have had an immediate impact on technology pricing. Numerous technology companies have already begun increasing their prices on everything from devices to accessories, with those costs being passed on to resellers and then on to customers.

What do these increased costs mean for your school’s technology budget? Consider the impact of previous tariffs, and how cooperative purchasing may help you absorb some of the shock from new (and potential future) tariffs.

Now, those same manufacturers are bracing for an even more substantial price uplift. Several major players in the laptop and Chromebook market, including Lenovo and HP, have already been impacted impacted, while Dell’s situation remains uncertain.

Ultimately, there may be noticeable price discrepancies between manufacturers and even between individual products. Kyle Thomas from SHI warns, “Tariffs will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but those that are hit are expecting a 20-25% uplift.”

The current administration has applied tariffs to a wide swath of imports, as well as blanket tariffs impacting all imports uniformly.

As of late March, blanket tariffs of 25% are currently in place for all imports from Mexico and Canada (though 30 day exemptions are currently in place, ending in early April). A similar blanket tariff of 20% has also been imposed on Chinese imports, though no exemption has been granted.

Some tariffs may also contribute to increased input costs for technology manufacturers, including specific tariffs on steel and aluminum imports (25%) and semiconductors (25%).

Several countries targeted by US tariffs have also announced retaliatory tariffs. At this stage, it’s unknown if these retaliations will increase input or import costs for US-based tech manufacturers.

Taken together, the Consumer Technology Association predicts that current tariffs could lead to 60% price increases for laptops and tablets – a stark spike for school districts with a need to upgrade or replace student devices.

Some good news: purchasers may not immediately feel the impact of increased costs, depending on their availability. Anything currently in US distribution warehouses is not expected to be immediately affected by the new tariffs. However, new shipments and out-of-stock items will likely see price increases, SHI’s Kyle Thomas notes.

Consider the CTL NL73, a rugged Chromebook model comparable to those used as student devices in many K-12 districts. In October 2024, CTL  priced this model at $275. Currently (in late March 2025), that same model costs $299 per device — a near 11% increase compared to the beginning of the school year.

That approximate $25 increase per student device is significant on its own (especially when compounded by ordering in bulk). Add in necessary add-ons like Google licensing (around $31) and a protective case ($27) and school purchasers are sure to feel these base price increases on their bottom line.

With rising costs poised to become a trend, K-12 schools should be proactive in mitigating their potential impact on their budgets.

Here are several cost mitigation strategies administrators and technology leaders can implement now:

Another essential strategy for wading through current economic uncertainty: take advantage of every benefit you can when it comes time to purchase.

That includes leveraging cooperative purchasing through ILTPP. Our free membership can save your district valuable time, money, and effort through every step of technology procurement.

These benefits can be especially useful for navigating impending technology price spikes:

Don’t let tariffs derail your district’s technology initiative. Partner with ILTPP to navigate these challenges and ensure your students have access to the tools they need to succeed.

Get started with an ILTPP membership for free today and begin leveraging our negotiated contracts to secure the best possible technology prices for your organization.

Already a member? Login in today to update your account (including tax-exempt documentation) and explore current prices on the ILTPP Marketplace.

Questions about specific tariff impacts or how to access discounts? Visit iltpp.org or contact iltpp@ltcillinois.org for support throughout the procurement process.