Tariffs may be here to stay: China-US shippers, here’s 4 ways to stay ahead 

Current news has made it clear that many of President Donald Trump’s administration’s current global tariffs are politically motivated and likely to remain in place. Despite the ongoing shifts, this is not a short-term disruption, so if you’re currently sourcing from China into the US, we have 4 action points to help you navigate the changes:

1. Review your HS codes and audit your customs classifications 

We recommend undertaking a formal audit if you haven’t done this yet. This is the first and most immediate cost-saving opportunity. Misclassifications can lead to: 

• Overpaying duties unnecessarily 

• Increased inspection risk 

• Delays in customs clearance 

This responsibility lies with the importer, not the freight forwarder. 

2. Get around the tariffs – review your sourcing strategies 

Consider the risks and explore alternatives such as: 

• Nearshoring manufacturing (Mexico/Central America may no longer be viable due to imposed tariffs in these countries) 

• Exploring local partnerships or contract manufacturing within the US

• Evaluating U.S. duty-free exemptions or Free Trade Agreement (FTA) alternatives 

This approach not only avoids tariffs but also enhances fulfilment times and customer satisfaction. 

3. Double down on your EU expansion 

While U.S.–China trade routes are under pressure, China to UK/EU remains relatively unaffected by new tariffs. We suggest:

• Pivoting expansion efforts to Europe, using this opportunity to build stronger market positions.

• Targeting the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands – they continue to offer lucrative entry points for Amazon and other marketplaces. 
• Think about smaller untapped markets: we now offer VAT services in Ireland, which has recently set up shop on the Amazon.ie marketplace (and you can get free VAT registration and a reimbursement via Amazon when you register with us throughout 2025).

With its ever-growing marketplaces, Europe remains one of the most open markets for e-commerce sellers, and AVASK can support you with:

• VAT registrations in the UK and Europe and the One-Stop Shop scheme (OSS/IOSS)
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance so you meet environmental registrations
• Shipping and customs clearance across the EU, and the UK/EU border
• Logistics compliance to facilitate this expansion, through our sister company KATA

4. Have a plan B for Europe  

We’ve seen that the EU is considering tightening import rules in 2026, so it’s time to think ahead by diversifying fulfilment options and exploring additional markets. While Europe is currently stable, we’re also observing: 

• Increased digital regulation 

• Localisation requirements 

It’s wise to build flexibility into your supply chains now, including options such as: 

• Using bonded warehouses 

• Multi-country fulfilment hubs 

• Exploring cross-border selling beyond the EU (e.g., Middle East, Australia, Canada) 

Navigating the tariffs: audit, review, pivot and prepare!

Despite the ups and downs of the announcements, with rates going up and down, tariffs from the Trump administration will likely stay, so if you’re sourcing from China to the US it’s wise to act now to ease the turbulence on your own operations, and to stay ahead:

• Audit HS codes and customs classifications immediately to avoid overpaying duties
• Review sourcing strategies to consider alternatives like nearshoring or local partnerships
• Pivot to expansion into the EU market, which remains open
• Prepare a Plan B for Europe by diversifying fulfilment options and exploring additional global markets

Don’t wait – take these steps today to secure your business’s future!