Global Trade

Chinese exports are on the move, and global customs systems are feeling the strain.

Countries like Germany, India, Brazil, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states are absorbing redirected goods once destined for U.S. ports. The sharp surges in import volume are overwhelming customs authorities, igniting a spike in misclassifications, delays, and regulatory confusion. Amid rising risk, these inaccurate entries can leave companies exposed to penalties and unexpected enforcement.

In some markets, Chinese imports have spiked by more than 40%. The shift, part of a broader redirection trend rather than isolated rerouting, is forcing companies to reexamine their trade compliance strategies in real time.

Legacy systems and manual processes simply aren’t built for this level of scrutiny or scale. And the cost of getting it wrong is rising. Misclassifications now carry the risk of retroactive duties, fines, or even shipment seizures. For compliance teams, the question isn’t just where the goods are going but whether their tariff and duty systems are ready for what comes next.

In a world where tariffs shift overnight and regulatory updates arrive before they’re published in the Federal Register, staying ahead of tariff and duty announcements has never been more critical for companies engaged in international trade.

That was the central theme of our webinar panel “Compliance Agility in an Era of Regulatory Uncertainty” featuring four seasoned leaders in global trade at General Mills, Johnson & Johnson, and Johnson Controls, along with one of our own trade experts at e2open. With decades of experience across CPG, healthcare, manufacturing, and trade technology, these experts share strategies on how to stay informed when policy shifts hit without warning or outside expected channels. Andy Simmons, a senior solutions director at e2open, joined the conversation to highlight how tools like the Import Cost Calculator can boost compliance agility.

License delays and sensitive data requirements push firms to rethink sourcing strategies.

The global economy runs on elements most people have never heard of. Rare earth elements (REEs) power everything from smartphones to wind turbines, yet they remain dangerously concentrated. When China introduced new export restrictions in 2025, businesses dependent on rare earth supply chains found themselves scrambling to secure critical materials. License delays and sensitive data requirements are now pushing firms to fundamentally rethink their sourcing strategies.

We’re thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 23 e2open clients recognized in the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2025. We believe this recognition highlights and reinforces the commitment of these companies to exceptional, forward-thinking supply chain management that truly delivers on their business purpose.

In today’s world, change doesn’t wait for five-year plans. It arrives overnight, sometimes in the form of sweeping tariffs that redraw the global trade map. For manufacturers, retailers, and distributors, every new trade policy carries a ripple effect that can disrupt sourcing, production, distribution, and profitability.

The recent “Liberation Day Tariffs” sent another jolt through already cautious markets. Companies scrambled, supply chains flexed, and sourcing strategies bent under pressure. With U.S.–China negotiations underway, we can hope for de-escalation but must be ready for anything.

Trade policy moves fast, and hits markets just as quickly. Beneath today’s moment of relief is a fundamental truth: tariffs aren’t the first and won’t be the last cause of volatility. They just remind us how exposed many supply chains really are.

Risk never left, and it’s not going away. The real question isn’t when the next disruption will come; it’s whether you’ll be ready when it does

Do you feel like global trade compliance is a game you just can’t seem to beat? Between keeping tabs on shifting tariffs and duties, deciphering restricted party lists and sanctions, managing trade can feel like playing chess blindfolded. Fortunately, tools like e2open’s Global Knowledge® are empowering businesses to streamline trade operations, dodge compliance risks, and stay sharp and competitive. In this blog, we’ll dive into key challenges organizations face when managing global trade content, and how a trade content tool can make it easier.

Global trade has become much more unstable in recent times. Reciprocal tariffs and derivative duties are rewriting the rulebook and presenting new challenges for global enterprises everywhere. For compliance officers, global sourcing strategists, and supply chain leaders, there’s more to it than just understanding regulations – you must know how to adapt sourcing strategies, ensure correct HTS codes, and build resilience against unfair trade practices as well. In short, you have to be nimble, flexible, and informed.

What follows is a detailed, actionable roadmap through the maze of reciprocal tariffs and derivative duties and their implications for global trade management. Along the way, you’ll find practical tips, scenarios, and steps you can take today to turn compliance challenges into opportunities.

Imagine trying to balance on one leg, make a cup of coffee with one hand, order your groceries on your phone with the other, trying to herd your loose dogs chasing squirrels back into the house, while also getting yelled at by your spouse that the dishwasher is leaking. This is the current state of global trade. Chaotic. Impossible. Overwhelming.

Secondary tariffs have introduced a layer of complexity for trade compliance professionals and importers. These additional duties not only target imports from specific countries but also penalize third-party entities trading with U.S.-sanctioned nations. To effectively manage these challenges, businesses must understand secondary Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes, their practical applications, and how to classify products accurately.

The announcement of new US tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China has sent ripples through the supply chain world, leaving many leaders scrambling to assess their exposure and develop response strategies. For supply chain leaders, the Trump tariffs are not just policy updates—they represent potential disruptions that can impact costs, shift demand, disrupt supplier networks, and alter production timelines.

The announcement of new US tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China has sent ripples through the supply chain world, leaving many leaders scrambling to assess their exposure and develop response strategies. For supply chain leaders, the Trump tariffs are not just policy updates—they represent potential disruptions that can impact costs, shift demand, disrupt supplier networks, and alter production timelines.

Global trade is undergoing a rapid evolution, influenced by a multitude of factors such as climate change, geopolitical events, conflict zones, wars, and more. Countries increasingly make trade decisions based on global politics rather than just economic benefits. Monitoring the effects of these events on international shipments can be exceedingly challenging for businesses. E2open Global Knowledge® is continually expanding and promptly adjusting to the significant rise in regulatory changes caused by such factors.

The growing threat of new tariffs, increased tariffs, and other trade barriers makes it more important than ever for supply chain leaders to stay abreast of changing trade regulations. While no one can predict the precise contour of the trade environment in the future, there are things leaders can do today to minimize their trade compliance risks, keep the movement of goods flowing, and contain costs in this new business landscape.

As the urgency to combat climate change intensifies, the European Union is taking bold steps to create a more sustainable future. One of the most significant initiatives for this is a broader commitment by the EU to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 known as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, or CBAM, which will have far-reaching implications for companies importing goods into the EU. This blog post will explain what CBAM is, its key dates, why it’s important, its implications for businesses and international trade, and how your company can stay ahead to maintain compliance.

Following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union in 2021, the UK government needed to establish its own border control system – a task critical to maintaining national security and smooth trade operations. In response to this new challenge, the UK Government published the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) in April 2023.

Switzerland’s custom landscape is undergoing a digital revolution. Whether you’re a transportation provider, seasoned exporter, frequent importer, or anywhere in between, Passar will reshape your interactions with Swiss customs. Starting in June 2023, the transition will gradually replace existing freight applications NCTS and e-dec through the end of 2026.

Organizations everywhere are facing mounting pressure to meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) regulations as many governments implement more laws to help combat environmental and social issues. For instance, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) are recent pivotal developments in this space. Moreover, upcoming EU regulations set to take effect later this year will compel many companies to ramp up their anti-deforestation efforts.

For decades, China has represented the pinnacle of global trade. As companies around the world began offshoring manufacturing to China to cut costs, the country emerged as an international export leader.
However, recent trade patterns signal a changing tide in global supply chain dynamics. In 2023, Mexico became the US’s top trader, outpacing China for the first time in 20 years.
The shift reflects an emerging trend called nearshoring, where companies bring production hubs closer to their main markets. Doing so helps cut supply chain costs, reduce logistical hurdles, and swiftly respond to changing market conditions and consumer demand. During the first three quarters of 2023, foreign companies invested 47 percent more in nearshoring efforts in Mexico, mostly focused on the auto sector.

For decades, China has represented the pinnacle of global trade. As companies around the world began offshoring manufacturing to China to cut costs, the country emerged as an international export leader.
However, recent trade patterns signal a changing tide in global supply chain dynamics. In 2023, Mexico became the US’s top trader, outpacing China for the first time in 20 years.
The shift reflects an emerging trend called nearshoring, where companies bring production hubs closer to their main markets. Doing so helps cut supply chain costs, reduce logistical hurdles, and swiftly respond to changing market conditions and consumer demand. During the first three quarters of 2023, foreign companies invested 47 percent more in nearshoring efforts in Mexico, mostly focused on the auto sector.

If you regularly spend any amount of time on social media or YouTube, you’ve probably seen a popular style of content come across your feed: A cheery influencer opens their mail and excitedly shares a rundown of the products they ordered, piece by piece.

Businesses across industries are primed for increased supply chain costs after the US announced new tariffs on China to roll out between 2024 and 2026. The tariffs will impact a range of goods, including solar panels, semiconductors, medical supplies, and steel and aluminum products. The electric vehicle (EV) industry faces the most severe hikes, with the tariff rate for EVs quadrupling to reach 100 percent and the rate for EV batteries and battery parts tripling to reach 25 percent.

Customs modernization has become a hot topic due to several compelling reasons. With the increased volume of international trade, spurred by B2B and B2C e-commerce technology, customs administrations worldwide are streamlining and upgrading their operations. Modernization activities harness technology for improved risk management, clearance, and compliance because a well-functioning customs system has far-reaching benefits. It enhances trade facilitation, reduces costs, ensures fair revenue collection, and strengthens national security. These advantages underscore the urgency of modernizing customs processes, but importers and exporters need to stay current as these updates impact many aspects of supply chains. 

In today's interconnected global marketplace, businesses constantly expand and engage in new international trade opportunities to increase revenue. However, these opportunities come with risks, especially regarding export compliance with ever-shifting trade regulations. In this comprehensive guide, explore the concept of export compliance and dive into a detailed Export Compliance Checklist that highlights six key steps to reduce risk and inefficiency in your trade operations using game-changing technology.

Earlier this year, we published a blog on customs modernization efforts with a broader scope across the EU, UK, and US. If you are involved in cross-border trade with members of the European Union (EU), you’re likely well-versed in Import Control System 2 (ICS2), the multi-year customs technology upgrade. The EU has increased its focus on heightening supply chain security and safety via the enormous innovation ICS2 will deliver when complete.

Commodity exports are back in the limelight. Three years ago, I wrote about China's restrictions on soybean exports. Now, it's about sugar – and microchips, vaccines, and more. Frankly, I'm highly concerned about the potential availability or higher costs for all the sweet treats I enjoy around the holidays. But why is my box of chocolates the victim of politics and trade?

You are not alone if you are anxious about how the recent round of EU sanctions against Russia might affect your business. Many companies face challenges navigating the complex and changing regulatory landscape, sanctions regime, complying with multiple jurisdictions and authorities, managing risks and costs, and maintaining healthy customer relationships.

The global trade environment has undergone significant changes in the past two decades, driven by rapid technological innovations, global market expansion, and a continued increase in cross-border e-commerce. In recent years, customs modernization has become an essential priority for countries worldwide, especially with the geo-political shifts fueled by trade wars in Asia and protectionist actions to enforce non-tariff restrictions on imports and exports.

Supply chain planning (SCP) is the process of anticipating market demand over time and determining the optimal use of assets and resources to make, move, and distribute supply to meet demand while minimizing costs and maximizing customer service. It answers the key questions that set the course for the entire supply chain – How much do we need to make? How many will we sell? Which products will sell? Where will each product sell? And how fast? And so on. Planning and inventory stocking levels are inextricably linked. From the demand and supply forecast, planners determine how much inventory to stock at points along the value chain and distribution centers, with some safety stock to absorb day-to-day variations. The system works relatively efficiently when forecast assumptions are known, and variability is low. When shifts in demand and disruptions to supply are missed, inventory becomes a liability in the form of stockouts or excess inventory that ties up working capital.

Companies doing business across borders face significant compliance costs and risks due to complex and ever-changing trade regulations. Global trade management (GTM) software helps companies automate international trade management processes to mitigate risks, ensure global trade compliance, and minimize the costs of international business in a volatile world economy.
Companies using GTM solutions can achieve millions of dollars in duty savings, avoid customs delays and fines, protect their corporate reputation, and gain a competitive advantage, especially when they integrate global trade with end-to-end supply chain operations.

Managing US export control programs is not for the faint of heart. New and emerging threats to US foreign policy and national security goals increase the risk of a sanctions penalty. As a result, companies must be able to demonstrate due diligence with a reliable screening process to avoid steep non-compliance penalties.

Even though the summer heat wave tells you it’s not the time of year for retail store endcaps to be filled with Halloween candy corn, changing seasons can cause people to reflect on traditions. While many traditions produce warm memories, some belong in the past.

When introducing new products, changing suppliers or components, or sourcing from new regions, procurement teams need to take into account several factors.