Navigating Tariff Uncertainty: How Shippers Are Adapting
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The topic of tariffs continues to stir confusion, frustration, and uncertainty across the logistics landscape.
It’s hard to keep up with what's currently enforced, what’s in flux, and what will come of the rising tensions with US and China, as well as other countries.
In conversations with our customers—ranging from high-volume e-commerce retailers to global manufacturers—we're hearing a common refrain: "We don’t know what’s coming next, so we’re unsure of a clear path forward."
At Intelligent Audit, we believe in the power of shared insight. That’s why we’re bringing forward what we’re hearing, what we know (and don’t), and how some shippers are adapting to stay agile in the face of regulatory volatility.
Emerging shifts: Tariffs to "come down substantially"?
In a notable development announced late last week, President Trump stated that tariffs on goods from China will "come down substantially"—though not be eliminated entirely. This policy shift, while not yet finalized, signals a potential easing of tensions that have fueled recent regulatory volatility. For logistics leaders, the message is clear: while uncertainty remains, proactive supply chain strategies must balance short-term agility with long-term resilience.
“We don’t know what we don’t know”
One of the biggest hurdles facing logistics teams today is ambiguity. Tariff rules change fast, and many organizations are in reactive mode. Our clients tell us:
- “We get conflicting guidance depending on which broker or consultant we ask.”
- “We can’t afford to misclassify a product and trigger unexpected duties.”
- “We’re tracking the updates, but nothing is concrete—how do we plan?”
And they’re right. Despite efforts to streamline and clarify trade policy, inconsistent enforcement, patchy updates, and shifting goalposts make it hard to navigate international shipments with confidence. It’s a regulatory fog—and everyone’s squinting through it.
The De minimis exemption debate
The decades-old de minimis exemption allows goods valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. duty-free. Initially designed to streamline low-value trade, it has become a key mechanism for many direct-to-consumer supply chains.
The exemption is set to end on May 2 for products from China and Hong Kong. And there’s talk of other countries slated to follow. Many experts speculate it will be fully eliminated by the end of this year, while others are anticipating it will still exist, just with different parameters.
Regardless, the enforcement already in place for China and Hong Kong—alongside looming changes in other countries—makes it clear that shippers reliant on the de minimis will have to reexamine their order fulfillment and shipping processes for this next chapter.
There are a lot of questions floating around about whether shipments that previously fell under the de minimis exemption from China and Hong Kong will now incur the same 145% tariff rate, how the approach to those entering the US via the international postal system will be affected differently, and how shippers can brace for the impact.
Will shipments under $800 now be subject to the 145% tariff rate?
Yes, according to Supply Chain Dive, with the exception of those entering the US via the international postal system. Instead of incurring all fees, postal imports will face a 120% rate or a flat $100 fee, depending on the carrier’s discretion. The $100 will increase to $200 on June 1.
Hong Kong’s postal service announced earlier this month that they are unwilling to collect tariffs and therefore have already suspended ground shipments to the US and air shipments are to follow this weekend.
How can importers adapt?
With the increased scrutiny of global trade, the most obvious answer is to explore domestic options. However, it’s not always as simple as that—especially for businesses that have been heavily reliant on overseas production and lack any existing operations in the U.S. As a result, companies are exploring a range of strategies to manage tariff exposure.
One common approach is using customs brokers to facilitate bulk imports, consolidating shipments into a single entry to help reduce the total duty costs. While these consolidated shipments are still subject to duties, grouping them together can lessen the overall financial impact.
Alternatively, many businesses are considering a different tactic: deconsolidating shipments. By breaking up shipments so that individual parcels fall under the $800 de minimis threshold, companies can significantly limit duty expenses, taking advantage of regulations that exempt lower-value imports from tariffs—at least in the short term while the de minimis exemption is still available.
Bonded warehouses vs. FTZs: What's the right fit?
As tariffs grow more unpredictable, more companies are turning to bonded warehouses and Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) as strategies to defer or reduce duty payments.
A bonded warehouse is a secure facility authorized by customs authorities where imported goods can be stored without the immediate payment of duties and taxes. These duties are only paid when the goods are withdrawn for domestic consumption, or they may be waived entirely if the goods are re-exported. Bonded warehouses offer a way to defer costs and provide time for processing, inspection, or redistribution of goods.
A foreign-trade zone (FTZ) is a specially designated area within the United States that is considered outside of U.S. Customs territory for the purpose of tariff laws and duties. Goods can be brought into an FTZ without paying duties until they enter U.S. commerce. If they are exported from the FTZ, no duties are ever paid. FTZs are used by companies to reduce costs associated with importing, manufacturing, or assembling foreign components.
Here’s a breakdown of how they compare:
Rethinking the global footprint: Is it time to move manufacturing?
We’re hearing this more often than ever: “Should we shift production out of China?”
While relocating manufacturing isn’t easy—or fast—it’s increasingly being explored as a hedge against tariff volatility. Regions like Vietnam, Mexico, and India are gaining traction thanks to favorable trade agreements and rising labor competitiveness, but even these are becoming less sustainable with the threat of further tariff reform.
But reshoring or nearshoring comes with its own challenges:
- Infrastructure variability
- Supplier quality inconsistency
- Longer ramp-up timelines
The best-performing companies aren’t rushing. They’re running “what-if” scenarios, stress testing cost structures, and layering in real-time data to guide their network design decisions.
Turn to a trusted partner
At Intelligent Audit, we help customers only pay the freight charges they actually owe, keep their financial reporting clean for smoother cash flow, unlock the power of their data to gain operational insights, understand landed costs, and model various parcel scenarios to help them save money wherever and whenever possible.
We don’t have a crystal ball, and we can’t predict policy—but we can help make sure you're ready for it.
Tariffs aren’t going away. Neither is the uncertainty. But with the right tools and insights, shippers can mitigate risk, unlock savings, and gain agility—even when the rules are murky.
