Back-to-school shopping just got a surprise discount boost, but blink and you might have missed it. Thanks to a short-term trade agreement between the U.S. and China, certain tariffs on imported goods have been rolled back temporarily, just in time for school supply runs, laptop upgrades, and new clothes. But here’s the catch: This agreement only lasts 90 days and could potentially cause prices to rise in mid-August.
Translation? Now's the time to purchase if you’re buying backpacks, laptops, or sneakers. We’ll break down exactly what to shop for (and when) and how to dodge the price hikes coming down the pipeline when high tariffs potentially come back.
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There's a 90-day reduction on tariffs that applies to back-to-school supplies, but it's temporary.
The 90-day temporary reduction on tariffs (from 145% to 30% on Chinese goods) affects a huge chunk of back-to-school staples like pens, notebooks, backpacks, electronics, clothes, and shoes, many of which are produced or assembled in China. Because of this, the regular methods of saving on back to school might need some adjustments.
When to Shop for School Supplies: Your 90-Day Countdown
Here’s how to time your shopping to get the most from the 90-day tariff reprieve.
Now - Mid-July: Electronics
Thanks to the temporary rollback on tariffs, you stand a great chance of getting a deal on electronics right now. Think laptops, tablets, headphones, and graphing calculators.
In years past, you may have been able to get a better deal after school started in September or on Black Friday if you wanted to wait. But this year I recommend not waiting, since you have the looming 90-day tariff reduction hanging over your head. By August, not only will you face slimmer inventory, but you could potentially pay $50 - $150 more if tariffs return as scheduled.
Here’s what to do:
Shop Amazon Prime Day, plus Black Friday in July sales.
Amazon Prime Day in mid-July is another chance to score a good deal before tariffs potentially come back in full force. But always price-compare before you click “Buy Now," and check out competing Black Friday in July sales at Target, Best Buy, and Walmart.
Watch for promotions designed for grads and dads.
June is one of the best months for tech, thanks to Father’s Day and graduation sales. Look for markdowns at Target, Walmart, and even Sam’s Club on earbuds, speakers, and tablets.
These deals often include limited-time bundles, like a free $20 gift card with purchase or BOGO 50% off accessories. Plus, big-box retailers tend to clear out last year's models right now, so you can score a perfectly solid tablet or laptop at a discount before the back-to-school rush even starts.
Check student deals at Best Buy and Apple.
Even if your kid is in high school, check out Best Buy Student Deals and Apple’s Education Store to unlock hidden discounts. The Apple student prices don’t even require an .edu email or student verification, and you can save up to $250 on a new MacBook or iPad.
Consider buying used or refurbished.
The price of used graphing calculators and laptops is much less affected by tariff-inflated prices, making it a smart way to save money this year. Check Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or even local school forums.
Many students offload perfectly good devices at the end of the school year, making June a good time to shop. Just be sure to test battery life, check for wiped hard drives, and look for sellers with good ratings.
Another option: Shop open-box or refurbished deals through Amazon Resale and Best Buy’s Outlet. You’ll score 20% - 30% off regular prices, and most items still come with full warranties and the same return policy as new items.
July 1 - 31: Back-to-School Supplies (Notebooks, Glue Sticks, Crayons, Etc.)
This is considered peak school supply season, and it’s when retailers go into full-on price war mode. This is when you'll find those ultra-cheap deals like $0.25 notebooks, $0.25 glue sticks, and $0.50 packs of crayons.
Here are some smart tips to keep in mind:
Watch the weekly ads.
Keep an eye on ads from Walmart, Target, Staples, Office Depot/OfficeMax, and even Dollar General to see which store has the best back-to-school deals and shop accordingly. And don’t forget drugstores like Walgreens and CVS — they have surprisingly good deals on school supplies, including backpacks under $10.
If you don’t want to chase sales all summer, set up deal alerts on the KCL app and get notified the moment products hit a great price point.
Shop during tax-free weekends.
Many states host sales tax holidays during this time. Combine that with sales and coupons, and you’ll save 20% - 30% on top of already low prices.
Price match when it makes sense.
When you see a better price somewhere else, just ask for a price match. Store like Target, Best Buy, and Staples will usually play ball if it’s the same item and it’s in stock. To make it happen, just pull up the cheaper price on your phone and show it to an employee at customer service. A couple minutes of your time is totally worth it, especially for pricier stuff like backpacks, headphones, or that fancy calculator your kid supposedly needs.
Buy in bulk and split it up with several families.
Stores like Amazon, Office Depot, and Staples sell back-to-school supplies in bulk at a solid discount, often up to 25% off. Think notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, and folders. Consider going in with 2 - 3 families to take advantage of the bulk pricing, then split the supplies evenly.
If you have room in your budget, buy extras for midyear.
Teachers often need more school supplies mid-year, and prices will most likely be higher by then. So if you have the budget and want to donate, go ahead and grab extras of stuff you know will be needed, like glue, pencils, and paper, while everything’s cheap.
Wait to buy the fun stuff during back-to-school clearance.
Disney folders and glittery pencil cases are cute, but they rarely go on sale during this stretch. Stock up on basics now, and then pick out some fun items when back-to-school clearance starts.
Consider quality to get items that will last for years.
When it comes to backpacks and lunch boxes, spending a little more to get a brand name that’s going to last can be worth it, especially with rising prices in the future. If you have the budget, opt for something you won’t have to replace for a few years. Look for JanSport or Carhartt backpacks and Bentgo for lunch boxes.
Aug. 1 - 14: Clothing and Shoes
If you’ve been holding out for the best deals on back-to-school clothes, early August is the time to shop. Retailers will be slashing prices to clear shelves before fall inventory rolls in, and you’ll see some of the steepest markdowns of the season on denim, graphic tees, sneakers, backpacks, and basics.
But with the 90-day tariff rollback ending in mid-August, don’t be surprised if prices spike on imported Chinese goods. That means items like shoes, jeans, and jackets could cost more right when you’re scrambling to finish your back-to-school shopping.
Here’s how to stretch your dollars before tariff increases:
Shop summer clearance.
Your best bet to save money on clothes for back to school is to look for summer clearance sales. Gap Factory, Old Navy, department stores like Kohl's and Macy's, and big box stores like Target and Walmart roll out clearance sales in early August that can save you 50% - 60% on already reduced prices. The best part is these sales should happen regardless of the tariff situation as stores need to clear out inventory to make room for fall merchandise.
Think ahead to hoodies, jackets, and coats.
Hoodies, lightweight jackets, and long-sleeve tees are already trickling into stores by early summer. These are often imported, so prices may jump once the 90-day window expires. You’d be smart to stock up when you find a good jacket deal.
Hit up second-hand stores.
Shop for gently used clothing at second-hand stores like Goodwill as well as consignment stores like Plato’s Closet, Poshmark, and Thredup. You’ll find money-saving deals on all the most popular brands your kids are jonesing for.
Get your school uniform basics at Old Navy, Target, and The Children's Place.
Be on the lookout for deals on school uniform basics at stores like Old Navy, Target, and The Children's Place. You can pay as little as $5 for polos and save 50% or more when you shop sale prices, BOGO promos, and use coupons and coupon codes.
Shop on Sunday and Thursday for the best selection.
Most retailers do their markdowns on Sundays (for weekend shoppers) and again on Thursdays (ahead of the weekend rush). That’s your best chance for the largest selection and those hard-to-find sizes.
KCL TIP: Use cash-back apps on your back-to-school buys. Apps like Ibotta and Fetch Rewards let you earn cash back on everything from crayons at Walmart to sneakers at Kohl’s. Stack ‘em with coupons or sales, and boom, you've saved even more. Just don’t forget to scan your receipt after you shop, as some cash-back deals only kick in once you’ve checked out.
Back-to-School Items That Are Generally Safe From Tariff Hikes
Fortunately, not everything in your cart is tangled up in the U.S. - China trade mess. Some back-to-school essentials are made in the U.S. or sourced from countries outside of China, so you’re unlikely to see big price swings, even if tariffs come back later this summer.
Lunchboxes and Food Containers: Many brands like Bentgo, PackIt, and Rubbermaid make their products in non-tariff countries or have locked-in pricing through U.S. distribution.
Basic School Supplies: U.S.-based companies like Crayola and Mead still manufacture most items stateside. So think crayons, spiral notebooks, and composition books.
Water Bottles: Brands like Nalgene, Liberty, Polar, and CamelBak make their bottles in the U.S., and prices have stayed pretty stable year over year.
Gift Cards for Teachers: Obvious, but worth saying: Amazon, Target, or Starbucks gift cards aren’t affected at all.
KCL TIP: Want to dodge tariff markups completely? Buy gently used, including refurbished electronics from Apple and more. Check out Facebook Marketplace or your local Buy Nothing group for everything from backpacks to calculators that'll cost you $0.
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