The Trade Shift No One Wanted, But Everyone Must Prepare For: Customs & Supply Chain Strategies to Minimize the Impact of 25% Tariffs

Tariffs Are Here—What Comes Next?

The 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports have introduced significant cost pressures and supply chain disruptions, forcing businesses to rethink customs compliance, sourcing strategies, and trade operations. As companies navigate these challenges, the question is no longer if they will be affected, but how they will respond.

With uncertainty around how long these tariffs will last, businesses must act now to understand their exposure, adapt trade strategies, and strengthen logistics operations. While the immediate priority is minimizing financial impact, this moment also presents an opportunity: ‍

Those that optimize their supply chain and customs processes today will be better positioned for long-term efficiency and resilience

‍—no matter how trade policies evolve.

Step 1: Assessing Supply Chain Exposure

Tariffs don’t just add extra costs—they can create operational, compliance, and logistics challenges that ripple across supply chains. To mitigate risk, businesses need to:

• Identify products and suppliers affected – Conduct a customs classification review to determine how the goods you are importing are affected (for instance, there are carve outs on certain commodities from Canada).
• Analyze landed costs – Beyond the tariff itself, evaluate the impact on transportation, customs clearance, and overall supply chain expenses.
• Evaluate supply chain rigidity – If key suppliers are impacted, can sourcing be temporarily diversified without disrupting production or increasing customs complexity?

Strategic Response

Some companies are leveraging customs and trade specialists to conduct tariff impact assessments, ensuring they are applying the most cost-effective and compliant strategies to minimize financial exposure.

Step 2: Exploring Alternative Sourcing & Customs Optimization

When tariffs hit, shifting suppliers may seem like the obvious solution. However, without a structured cost and compliance assessment, it may introduce new financial and operational risks. Businesses should evaluate:

• Total Supply Chain Impact – Would shifting suppliers reduce costs overall, or would increased logistics expenses and operational inefficiencies offset potential savings?
• Regulatory & Compliance Risks – Would sourcing from a new region require new customs valuation processes, changes in classification, or different duty structures?
• Alternatives to Supplier Relocation – Instead of moving suppliers, some companies are exploring duty mitigation strategies, bonded warehousing, temporary import bonds, and tariff classification adjustments to minimize tariff exposure.

Strategic Response:

Rather than reacting with costly supplier shifts, companies are prioritizing customs compliance optimization, duty deferral programs, and strategic cost-saving measures to mitigate tariff exposure without introducing unnecessary supply chain disruptions.

Step 3: Understanding Tariff Impact on Pricing & Demand

Beyond operational costs, tariffs affect pricing strategies and demand elasticity. Companies must determine how much of the tariff cost can be absorbed, shared, or passed on without losing market share.

• Absorption vs. pass-through pricing – Can businesses offset costs through supplier negotiations, duty recovery programs, or operational efficiencies?
• Demand shifts across industries – Sectors like automotive and electronics are typically more resilient, while consumer goods and retail are more price-sensitive to cost increases.
• Competitive pricing strategies – How are industry peers adjusting their supply chain costs to remain competitive?

Strategic Response

Companies analyzing tariff pass-through strategies and running multiple cost scenarios can make more informed pricing decisions before tariffs further impact market positioning.

Step 4: Staying Ahead of Trade Policy & Compliance Changes

Tariff policies remain highly dynamic, and businesses that react too late risk compliance fines, delays, and rising costs. Staying ahead requires:

• Tracking regulatory updates – New exemptions, tariff adjustments, or policy modifications could shift cost structures and compliance requirements.
• Benchmarking against industry peers – How are major cross-border importers adjusting compliance frameworks to navigate tariff uncertainty?
• Optimizing customs procedures – Increased tariff enforcement may lead to more audits and inspections—ensuring pre-clearance and compliance audits can reduce risks.

Strategic Response

Companies investing in real-time trade monitoring and compliance automation are proactively adjusting their customs strategies to mitigate financial exposure and avoid penalties.

Building Resilience Amid Tariffs: Strengthening Supply Chains for the Future

The 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports are already creating cost pressures and regulatory hurdles, forcing businesses to reassess supply chains, compliance strategies, and financial exposure. While current analysis suggests these tariffs may not be sustainable long-term, companies that take proactive steps now will emerge with more resilient, efficient operations—better positioned for both the present disruption and future trade shifts.

Businesses adapting to these changes are focusing on a structured approach to trade and customs strategy, ensuring they:

• Understand their exposure and cost impact through comprehensive tariff assessments and supply chain scenario planning.
• Evaluate sourcing and compliance options to determine the best path forward, whether through supplier diversification, duty deferral programs, or customs strategy adjustments.
• Streamline customs operations and mitigate disruptions by reinforcing trade compliance processes, ensuring accurate documentation, and optimizing clearance procedures to avoid delays and penalties.

While tariffs are reshaping short-term trade dynamics, they also present an opportunity to eliminate inefficiencies, strengthen compliance processes, and build a more agile cross-border strategy. Companies that focus on structural improvements today will be in a stronger position—whether tariffs are revised or lifted in the future.