Skip to content

MuggleNet

  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Merchandise / News

Delays Across United Kingdom Container Ports Cause Shortage of “Harry Potter” Merchandise

by Adam Poncharoensub · October 17, 2021

While planning for your Christmas shopping this year, you may want to take into account that supplies may be very limited. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the United Kingdom is currently seeing an unprecedented shortage of toys and collectibles, including Harry Potter merchandise, due to severe delays at container ports receiving shipments of goods. The deficit is also likely to cause price increases.

It seems that the current dire situation stems from the UK’s container ports being incredibly understaffed. Containers full of merchandise continue to arrive at the ports, but without the appropriate staff to process each shipment, the ports become backed up with containers. With more ships arriving, the ports become congested, causing ships to be diverted to other ports. All of these circumstances are preventing products from reaching retailers and clients.

Speaking with the BBC, Elvijs Plugis, co-owner of a chain of retail shops specializing in fandom-based collectibles called House of Spells, spoke of the unfortunate chain of events that led to the current scarcity of Potter products, such as clothing, movie replicas, and wands:

First Brexit hit, and then the pandemic hit. The combination of both, the manufacturers got scared, and work stopped, and they couldn’t ship big containers by sea.

And of course, the situation is affecting several retailers throughout the UK. Plugis recalled earlier that morning that the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4 ran out of stock and had to refer customers over to House of Spells.

 

Elvijs Plugis is the co-owner of House of Spells, a retail shop focused on Wizarding World merchandise and collectibles.

Elvijs Plugis is the co-owner of House of Spells, a retail shop focused on Wizarding World merchandise and collectibles. (Credit: House of Spells)

 

The shortage has become incredibly costly for retailers as well, with Plugis explaining that the store must now pay an additional “25-30% in container shipping costs” and “up to 30% more on customs charges.” At the moment, the shop has not increased its prices, but Plugis is unsure of how long the establishment can continue without the markup.

While House of Spells has managed to maintain its prices, for the time being, all of these additional costs will very likely cause prices to increase eventually. Alan Simpson, managing director of Toytown, a Belfast, Northern Ireland-based chain of toy retailers, believes that prices will inevitably rise by January, with an added effect on inflation.

Joel Berkowitz, founder of the London Toy Company, an importer of officially licensed Harry Potter toys, shared that the organization’s stock of Potter products is completely sold out. In fact, the company currently has approximately 35,000 toys being held at ports and about 10,000 toys needing to be redirected to other ports.

Simpson is urging consumers to start their Christmas shopping earlier this year, which, considering the circumstances, is really good advice that shouldn’t be ignored. Certainly, the Wizarding World fan in your life will appreciate your efforts.

Do you believe that the situation could get better any time soon? Can you think of any solutions to the ongoing problem? Let us know in the comments.

 

Want more posts like this one? MuggleNet is 99% volunteer-run, and we need your help. With your monthly pledge of $1, you can interact with creators, suggest ideas for future posts, and enter exclusive swag giveaways!

Support us on Patreon

Social:

  • Next story The Tales Untold: Of Paintings and Sisters
  • Previous story NYCC 2021 Brought Back the Magic with Witches, Graphic Novels, and “Harry Potter” Ornaments

MuggleNet Archive

Important Dates

May 2025

Sat, May 24

Jim Broadbent's birthday
Recurs yearly

Horace Slughorn

Sun, May 25

In the early morning hours, Harry and Ron meet Aragog in Forbidden Forest
Recurs yearly

1993

Mon, May 26

Detention in the forest; Quirrell drinks unicorn blood
Recurs yearly

1992

Helena Bonham Carter's birthday
Recurs yearly

Bellatrix Lestrange

MuggleNet podcasts are sponsored in part by Secretlab.

Thanks to its research-backed ergonomic design, including a proprietary 4-way adaptive lumbar support system, the Secretlab TITAN Evo Harry Potter Edition will comfortably support you even when you’re up to no good.

Did You Know

While filming Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Tom Felton’s Hogwarts robes had their pockets sewn shut because he kept trying to sneak food onto the set.

Potter History

April 20, 2006 – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix film release dates are confirmed.

Potter Quote

“Aw, don’t worry, honey. Most guys think what you was thinking, first time they see me.”

MuggleNet is an unofficial Harry Potter fansite.
Please email us if you have any questions or concerns.
© 1999–2025 MuggleNet.com. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | COPPA Policy | Terms of Use | Feedback


MuggleNet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Bookshop.org's affiliate program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and bookshop.org.