Looking Past Tariffs: Hidden Compliance Risks for Sourcing & Procurement

Discover the hidden risks in global trade compliance

Tariffs may steal the spotlight, but they are just the tip of a massive compliance iceberg. Sourcing and procurement professionals know the real trouble often comes from a complex web of non-tariff requirements lurking below the surface, such as import/export controls, sanctions, and country-specific rules.

This white paper peels back the layers of compliance risks beyond tariffs and provides practical, usable strategies to help companies avoid costly mistakes and protect margins.

What hidden compliance risks exist beyond tariffs?

Global trade compliance is a complex game, where the rules change daily, some players are invisible, and you’ll get fined if you put a piece in the wrong place. In this fast-moving world, it’s not enough to track duties and freight. Organizations must also navigate a host of variables that can change overnight such as:

Sanctions

Import/export controls

Restricted party screenings

Specialized licensing and documentation

Local regulations

Quotas

Many sourcing and procurement teams underestimate the scope of non-tariff risks.
These hidden pitfalls can lead to costly shipment delays, financial penalties, and even reputational damage.

According to a report by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), non-tariff measures now increase
global trade costs by an average of 4.7%, amounting to nearly $1 trillion annually.

Why is global trade compliance such a challenge for sourcing and procurement professionals?

Compliance is dynamic, messy, and deeply intertwined with procurement and sourcing decisions. A single mistake can trigger million-dollar penalties, disrupt operations, and erode customer trust. Tariffs may get all the press, but the non-tariff requirements can really put the squeeze on companies, due to:

Regulatory environments that are constantly changing. Thousands of new trade measures are introduced every year, including sanctions, import/export controls, and country-specific regulations.

Fragmented sources and increased complexity. Indirect ownership structures, diverse documentation, quotas, and unique data requirements create additional headaches in global trade compliance.

Outdated, manual compliance processes. Too many companies try to manage thousands of annual trade-restrictive policy interventions using only spreadsheets and manual workflows.

Beyond the financial impact, compliance failures can ripple through your supply chain, affecting partners, and weakening your brand’s reputation. In industries where just-in-time delivery is critical, even a brief delay can have far-reaching consequences.

How compliance shapes sourcing, logistics, and profitability

For logistics and sourcing professionals, compliance is right on the front lines, but hidden regulatory risks can turn every decision into a potential vulnerability. Companies can proactively manage those risks by weaving compliance into their strategy from the start. Here’s how:

Use compliance as a metric when evaluating suppliers

Design trade lanes that take regulatory risk into account

Validate critical certificates and documentation

Lean on automation and technology to streamline compliance

Enable cross-functional collaboration between logistics, sourcing, and compliance teams

Take compliance strategy in-house for increased productivity

Getting ahead of these hidden risks can not only protect your supply chain and reduce disruptions, but they can also help uncover new opportunities for cost savings and efficiency.

Automation can reduce global trade compliance risk

Manual processes, fragmented data, and siloed teams are no match for today’s regulatory complexity. Automation and technology make these tasks more efficient, manageable, and responsive to ongoing volatility. E2open's connected supply chain platform already provides all the tools you need to navigate the treacherous waters of compliance, including:

Real-time regulatory updates for over 235 countries and territories from the world’s largest database of global trade content

Compliance flows that are embedded into sourcing, procurement, and order-entry systems

Supplier mapping that monitors prospective partners and raises compliance alerts

Supply Risk Assessment catches issues early by combining external disruption intelligence with live supply chain data for rapid detection, assessment, prioritization, and resolution of supply chain risks

With integrated workflows, supplier mapping, and multi-tier supply network visibility, e2open empowers your teams to surface risks early, adapt quickly, and make confident sourcing decisions.

What global sourcing and procurement pros will learn in this white paper

E2open’s global trade solutions increase supply chain resilience by allowing you to:

Embed compliance into daily operations and decision-making

Visualize and manage supplier relationships to flag risks before onboarding

Reduce shipment delays and unexpected costs with automated checks

Collaborate across teams for greater agility and resilience

Take the next step

Don’t let hidden compliance risks undermine your global sourcing strategy. Download our white paper today to learn more about the unseen challenges in international trade—and how you can turn compliance into a strategic advantage.

Learn more about our approach to supply chain resilience and risk management and discover how our platform can help you move beyond reactive compliance.

Get the white paper

Looking Past Tariffs: Revealing Unseen Compliance Challenges Affecting International Sourcing Choices