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Welcome to the official web site of the HMA! The Hobby Manufacturers Association (HMA) was created in 2005 through the unification of three associations within the hobby industry: International Model Hobby Manufacturers Association, Model Railroad Industry Association and the Radio Control Hobby Trade Association. Our members consist of manufacturers from across the hobby industry – General Hobby, Model Railroad, Plastic & Die Cast and Radio Control. Our Goal at the HMA is to promote the wonderful world of hobbies to all people across the globe. If you would like to join and support this effort, please use the contact us page to find all the great benefits the HMA has to offer.
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HMA Statement on Current Trade Challenges
May 6, 2025
The Hobby Manufacturers Association (HMA) is greatly concerned with the ongoing challenges our members are facing as they navigate the significant impact of tariffs on their businesses.
The toy and hobby industry — a sector rooted in small businesses, family traditions, hands-on learning, and future workforce development — faces unique pressures under the current imposition of tariffs on toy and hobby products, coupled with China’s retaliatory tariffs, as well as additional tariffs on the rest of the world. The toy and hobby sector, which operates on slim margins and is deeply rooted in local communities, faces increased landed costs, strained supply chains, disrupted seasonal planning, shrinking consumer access and potential job losses. Without strategic refinement, these forces could erode an industry that has served for generations as a foundation for American creativity, educational advancement, and small business entrepreneurship.
While we understand the objectives of the Administration, our industry is not large enough to make an impact on the trade deficit nor is our presence a matter of national security. There are no immediate, reasonable domestic alternatives available for most of our member companies. This issue has even caused challenges for domestic manufacturers, in price increases for raw materials and components sourced from Asia and beyond.
The toy and hobby sectors are seeking exclusions from these new tariffs under section 301 as:
- These products pose no national security threat and are original, non-sensitive designs created for educational, recreational, and therapeutic use.
- Domestic alternatives are limited, often cost-prohibitive, and ill-suited to the specialized, small-volume nature of hobby manufacturing.
- The industry serves as a critical gateway to STEM and STEAM learning, hands-on education, and intergenerational creativity, especially through after-school programs, museums, veterans’ groups, and retirement communities.
- The sector is composed largely of small, family businesses with narrow margins and limited ability to absorb abrupt cost surges.
Extending exclusions does not undermine strong trade enforcement. Rather, it refines it — anchored in precedent, consistent with broader economic goals, and focused on safeguarding industries that contribute to America’s cultural and educational fabric.
By sustaining these exclusions, the Administration can:
- Reinforce the STEM and STEAM education pipeline and hands-on learning opportunities;
- Preserve small business viability in the face of global uncertainty;
- Protect community-based traditions with deep historical and educational value.
HMA is committed to continuously monitoring this ever-evolving situation and remains dedicated to supporting our members. As the unifying voice for the challenges and struggles our members are facing, we are here to listen, advocate, and provide resources that empower our community. Together, we can navigate these difficulties and emerge stronger.
We support the ongoing efforts of the Hobby Industry Coalition.
For more information, visit: www.HobbyCoalition.org
Press Inquiries should be directed to Tim Blackwell at Ballpark Impressions cowcatcher@verizon.net or 1-817-379-5528.
The Hobby Industry Coalition is a non-partisan alliance of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, educators and other stakeholders. Membership in the Coalition is open to companies, organizations, and institutions that share its foundational principles. These values guide our advocacy, strengthen our credibility, and unify our voice in support of the U.S. toy and hobby industry.
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Check out the My Hobby Fun website sponsored by the HMA. The goal is to promote the wonderful world of hobbies to parents and children across the globe. More than ever, it is important that we raise awareness of the innovative and creative products that enrich the lives of hobby enthusiasts. Families are looking for different ways to reconnect and spend quality time away from electronics and other distractions. We are letting you know that these great products exist and can inspire families with opportunities to be creative together.
Check out the HMA Viewpoint Archive containing articles written by our great members for print in Hobby Merchandiser Magazine. The magazine is distributed throughout the hobby and toy industry. If you would like to contribute please let us know here.
The benefits of becoming a Hobbyist
HMA Guide to Controversial Symbols
Important links
National Hobby Month
Remember Every January is National Hobby Month — celebrate your favorite hobbies! Thanks to NRHSA we celebrate every month!
The benefits of becoming a Hobbyist
Visit www.myhobbyfun.org
SMC Codes
The HMA is excited to announce the launch of its new site https://hobbysmc.com. Manufacturers and gaming companies can now register and pay for their SMC code directly through this secure site. This will improve the overall efficiency of the SMC assignment process. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Heather Stoltzfus, HMA Executive Secretary, at heather.stoltzfus@hmahobby.org.
About SMC codes:
The Standard Manufacturer Codes (SMC) were established by RCHTA, now the Hobby Manufacturers Association (HMA), some 30 years ago. Distributors and retailers use the 3 letter code assigned to your company to differentiate between products with the same stock number. It is necessary that the standard codes be used so that retailers receive the products they intended to receive when ordering from their distributors. These three letters appear before the product number. Distributors prefer 4-5 numbers with no other letters or special characters other than the SMC letters, example SMC1001.
The Standard Manufacturer Code program is voluntary – not official. It was started to relieve the confusion of distributors each using a different code for the same company. Before the program was started distributors assigned companies they did business with a code and did not share them. A distributor can use any in house code they choose to assign to a company. We do have distributors that chose not to use the voluntary Standard Manufacturer Code program .
1) The Standard Manufacturer Code list is proprietary to the HMA and cannot be published in whole or in part without permission from the HMA.
2) New assignments and payments of codes can be made by visiting https://hobbysmc.com. If you need to make any changes or updates to a current SMC assignment, please contact Heather Stoltzfus at heather.stoltzfus@hmahobby.org.
3) Codes are assigned to manufacturers and publishers not Brands or Product lines in part because these can be bought, sold, and licensed between manufacturers. A code for a brand or product line does not help retailers or distributors to identify the source of an item or product.
4) Codes can be assigned to brands/product lines when they are separate entities from the parent company (distributors make checks and orders out to the separate entity and not to the parent company). Codes are meant to identify the manufacturer not the brands.
5). Magazines and books are considered a product of the Publisher and therefore are not assigned codes. The code is assigned to the publisher.
Questions? Contact Heather Stoltzfus – heather.stoltzfus@hmahobby.org
