According to Patrick Frith of Avalara, they don’t have to be.
In the latest episode of Logistics Business Conversations, host Paul Hamblin explores the increasingly complex world of cross-border trade, tariffs, customs and compliance — and discovers where businesses are most likely to get caught out.
With tariffs changing rapidly, trade lanes shifting and governments demanding more detailed information on the goods entering their markets, the risks of getting international trade wrong are growing. But some of the biggest problems may come down to just a handful of details.
The Mistakes That Can Stop a Shipment
From incorrect HS classification and country of origin to declared value and unexpected duties, seemingly small errors can quickly lead to higher costs, delays and potential compliance problems.
Frith explains why one of the biggest hidden costs in cross-border trade is a tariff a business failed to anticipate — and why getting product classification wrong can have much more serious consequences than many companies realise.
Perhaps the biggest claim of the episode, however, is this:
Customs delays can be 100% avoidable.
But only if the right work is done before the shipment ever leaves.
Can Technology Keep Up With Global Trade?
The discussion also looks at how automation and AI are beginning to change customs compliance, from classifying products to tracking regulatory changes in real time.
With millions of tariff and regulatory updates taking place across global markets, can technology really keep businesses one step ahead?
And as geopolitics becomes more volatile, will international trade become easier over the next five years — or significantly harder?
Listen to the full episode below to find out.
