Tariffs Are Just the Tip of the Trade Compliance Iceberg
Global sourcing costs go far beyond tariffs
Tariffs are easy to see, track, and model. That’s why they dominate sourcing decisions. But they’re only the surface layer of global trade risk.
Beneath them sits a growing web of compliance requirements—licenses, documentation, sanctions, export controls, quotas, and ownership rules—that are harder to spot and even harder to manage. Miss one detail, and costs rise fast through delays, penalties, and lost savings.
This infographic shows why looking only at tariffs creates blind spots that can quietly erode margins and disrupt supply chains.
The hidden risks that inflate true landed cost
Tariffs may grab attention, but these less visible risks often drive bigger financial and operational impact. So, what are non-tariffs? Some examples include:
Shipment delays and customs holds caused by missing or incorrect documentation
Higher landed costs from misclassification, incomplete filings, or missed FTA eligibility
Lost market access due to sanctions, export controls, or quota limits
Storage, demurrage, and expediting fees triggered by compliance reviews
Reputational and brand damage tied to forced labor or ESG violations
What you’ll learn about non-tariff costs from this infographic
This visual guide breaks down the layers of compliance risk hiding below tariffs and explains why they’re so difficult to manage. You’ll see:
Why non-tariff measures now add significant cost to global trade
How compliance risks grow as supply chains extend across tiers and borders
Where global sourcing and procurement teams commonly underestimate exposure
How missed compliance details can erase expected cost savings
Why manual processes struggle to keep up with constant regulatory change
How e2open brings clarity below the surface
E2open helps supply chain, sourcing, and compliance teams uncover risks they can’t fully see on their own. With real-time trade content, automated checks, and supplier visibility, teams can move from reactive fixes to proactive decisions.
When compliance is built into everyday sourcing and logistics workflows, companies can:
Surface supplier and lane-specific risks earlier
Reduce delays and avoid unplanned costs
Preserve free trade agreement savings
Make global sourcing decisions grounded in real regulatory intelligence
Why manual processes struggle to keep up with constant regulatory change
Ready to see beyond tariff risks?
Hidden compliance risks don’t announce themselves until they’ve already caused damage. Download this infographic to understand where costs and risks are hiding—and how to bring them to the surface before they impact your supply chain.
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