- First, manufacturers have marked up prices. What used to cost 5c from a Chinese manufacturer now costs 30c or more. - Aside from supply being keen on the shortage, demanders are also willing to push prices even higher. I have even had people /outbid/ my place in line for product. - Airfreight costs $14.50 a kilo. It's typically around $2-3 a kilo. - Financing is hard. In many cases, no one wants to pay up front at all or make deposits because of all the scams and counterfeit products. Suppliers similarly want money up front, often 100%. The transaction itself becomes a more risky proposition. I can't find anyone willing to finance part of a 30 day transaction for 5% returns.
The Federal seizures have made everything even more risky. Price controls will not fix this. A manufacturer in China has enough demand from the rest of the world to charge. (I was out bid from someone from France.)
The only thing we can do is ramp up supply.