Tariff Stacking Reshapes Supply Chain Execution Strategies in 2025

## Tariff Stacking Reshapes Supply Chain Execution Strategies in 2025 The compounding pressure of multiple overlapping tariff regimes has forced a fundamental rethink of supply chain execution across the U.S. import landscape, according to new analysis published by Infios via FreightWaves. Drawing on data from millions of U.S. customs entries, Infios found that 'tariff stacking' — the simultaneous application of several distinct duty layers on a single shipment — has become one of the defining operational challenges of 2025. The phenomenon occurs when goods are subject to multiple tariff actions at once, such as Section 301 duties, Section 232 steel and aluminium measures, and more recently introduced reciprocal tariffs, creating a cumulative cost burden that can dramatically alter landed costs and sourcing decisions. ### Operational Ripple Effects According to FreightWaves, the Infios analysis highlights that shippers are no longer simply adjusting procurement strategies in response to individual tariff actions. Instead, the stacking effect is driving real-time changes to inventory positioning, carrier selection, port routing, and customs classification practices. Importers are increasingly investing in duty optimisation tools and first-sale valuation strategies to mitigate exposure. For maritime operators, the implications are significant. Shifts in sourcing geography — with volumes moving away from traditional high-tariff origins toward alternative manufacturing hubs in Southeast Asia, India, and Mexico — are altering trade lane demand patterns and vessel deployment strategies. Container carriers and port authorities alike are monitoring these shifts closely as cargo flows continue to evolve in response to the tariff environment. ### Strategic Recalibration Underway The analysis underscores a broader industry trend: supply chain resilience planning has moved from a post-pandemic priority to a permanent operational discipline. Freight forwarders, beneficial cargo owners, and third-party logistics providers are under growing pressure to deliver granular tariff intelligence as a core service offering, rather than a supplementary one. As the U.S. trade policy environment remains fluid, industry observers note that the ability to model and respond to tariff stacking scenarios in near real-time is fast becoming a competitive differentiator for logistics service providers operating in the transpacific and transatlantic trades. *Source: FreightWaves / Infios*