Schuetzen Powder Energetics Statement on increasing powder prices | Letter to the Editor
To the Editor,
In recent months, many shooters have expressed frustration—some openly accusing black powder importers and distributors of “greed” or “price gouging.” I understand the anger. Prices are up, supply is tight, and it feels like the people who keep powder on the shelves must be taking advantage of the situation. I’m writing to clarify what is actually driving prices in today’s black powder market. The short version is this: our pricing is being pushed by documented landed costs that have risen sharply and unpredictably. This isn’t a convenient excuse—it’s the math of getting powder into the United States in 2025.
Why pricing has increased
Freight and logistics have exploded.
On a percentage basis, container freight today is roughly 300%–360% higher than the early 1990s, and roughly 140%–170% higher than the early 2000s. Freight is no longer a minor input—it is one of the biggest components of the delivered cost.
Currency risk is real.
Many shooters don’t realize that imports are not always priced in U.S. dollars. Today, some suppliers must be paid in Euros (EUR) and Swiss Francs (CHF). That means our true cost can move up or down based on exchange rates between the time product is quoted and the time invoices are paid. In low-margin categories, a currency swing can erase profit entirely.
Import duties have been a major shock.
German (EU) powder is currently subject to a 15% duty, 42% duty on Swiss products, which immediately raises cost at entry. Swiss powder was hit even harder earlier—one shipment was assessed at a much higher rate—and those charges become embedded in the cost of that inventory. The government does not “true up” or refund those duties later.
The good news: Swiss duty is now down to 15%, and as new shipments arrive under the lower rate, our cost basis should improve. As older, higher-duty inventory sells through and is replaced, pricing pressure should ease.
Inflation and supplier costs have increased.
European production, compliance, labor, energy, and packaging costs have risen over time.
Those increases show up before the product ever reaches a ship.
What “landed cost” actually means
When shooters hear “landed cost,” they often assume it’s a buzzword. It’s not. It’s simply the
total cost to get powder from an overseas factory to a U.S. warehouse:
• Factory price
• International shipping and required hazmat handling
• Duties and import fees• Currency exchange impact (EUR/CHF)
• Port fees, customs clearance, domestic freight, and receiving
That total is the cost basis. Only after that do we add a modest margin to keep inventory moving, cover operating costs, and stay in business. No margin, no restocks. And eventually, no powder.
Where we stand as shooters
We are not detached from this sport. We are shooters too, and we support it with time, effort, and product through youth programs and events. We care about participation and about keeping black powder shooting accessible. But we cannot sell below landed cost and survive—especially during periods of supply disruption and global demand pressure.
So to the shooters who feel priced out: I hear you. To those who believe the industry is exploiting the moment: I’m asking you to consider the realities above. The increases you’re seeing are not a “cash grab.” They are the result of freight, duties, currency exposure, and rising costs hitting a small, highly regulated market all at once.
Respectfully,
James Kirkland
Schuetzen Energetics, Texas