Global trade is becoming more volatile—and more expensive. While economic policy once shaped the flow of goods between nations, tariffs are now a top compliance concern, placing new burdens on supply chain teams. Organizations already strained by regulatory requirements are now facing added costs and complexity, as technical barriers to trade (TBTs) multiply in the form of new duties and border controls.
To succeed in this environment, companies must shift how they think about tariffs—not as isolated costs, but as one more layer of regulatory risk to be managed strategically.
The rise of tariffs as a regulatory challenge
Over the last 30 years, the global trading system has been shaped by cooperation between nations, with free trade agreements and World Trade Organization (WTO) oversight guiding cross-border transactions. But that era of stability is fading. Tariffs are no longer just economic instruments—they are increasingly tied to evolving regulations and shifting geopolitical priorities.
Like PFAS bans, REACH requirements, and EU packaging regulations, tariffs now function as technical compliance obligations. They can trigger inspections, delay shipments, and carry the risk of steep fines for misclassification or non-compliance. The only way to stay ahead is to treat tariff management as part of a broader supply chain compliance strategy.
Why companies need a compliance lens on tariffs
The financial impact of tariffs is significant—and unpredictable. Classification errors, missed updates to Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes, or inaccurate country of origin (COO) claims can lead to higher fees and shipment delays. Meanwhile, global sourcing strategies are under pressure as companies seek to reduce costs without sacrificing product integrity or regulatory standing.
A compliance-first approach enables organizations to:
- Reduce the risk of fines or rejected imports due to classification errors.
- Increase visibility into supplier sourcing and geographic risk.
- Align sourcing decisions with compliance and cost optimization goals.
- Improve agility in responding to policy shifts.
Purpose-built software for ambiguous tariff compliance
At Source Intelligence, we empower your business to self-manage tariff compliance with our software or offer expert-led managed services for additional support. Our platform is purpose-built to reduce complexity and connect compliance efforts across your organization.
We support tariff management through:
- Material categorization for accurate HTS classification.
- COO determination at the sub-component and material levels.
- Sub-tier supplier mapping to trace components across borders and validate sourcing.
- Data integration into your existing compliance workflows and software stacks.
- Fee calculations for extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs triggered by imports.
With automation and customizable workflows, we reduce manual effort and increase confidence in your compliance data.
Supporting strategic decision-making in a volatile trade landscape
The most resilient businesses are using compliance to inform broader business strategy. Whether it’s evaluating alternative sourcing models, avoiding costly substitutions, or flagging exposure to geopolitical shifts, tariff management must evolve from reactive to proactive.
Our tools unify product, supplier, regional, and regulatory data so you can:
- Identify cost-saving opportunities without compliance tradeoffs.
- Prepare for future policy changes and trade realignments.
- Contain costs and protect margins through informed, strategic choices.
Discover how our platform can help reduce costs, manage regulatory change, and build a smarter approach to tariff compliance.
