Navigating trade turbulence: strategies for supply chain resilience and reliable customs handling

The global trade landscape of today is being shaped by market conflict, regulatory uncertainty and widespread disruption. And while tariff policies and legislative changes primarily aim to protect domestic industries and reduce trade deficits, they can also have a significant and complex impact on international trade.

This article builds on the themes explored in our piece on unlocking the commercial significance of customs management, diving deeper into how trade volatility is reshaping supply chain strategies across Europe.

Many businesses have already recognised the impact these changes can have on their operations. Almost half¹ of business leaders rank rising tariffs and trade barriers as their top international challenge, while a further 41%² cite geopolitical instability as a major concern for operations.

It’s critical that all businesses operating with diverse supply chains address tariff and trade disruptions effectively to keep operations moving and adjust to regulatory changes swiftly to avoid noncompliance.

Challenges posed by trade disruptions

Many organisations are already responding by diversifying and expanding the supplier base, considering price increases and relocating manufacturing hubs. However, these strategies bring their own challenges. Leadership teams are now juggling a growing list of complex and competing priorities – from cost containment and resilience planning to ESG compliance and digital transformation – all under greater scrutiny from regulators and stakeholders alike.

Strategies for reducing risk exposure

As companies adapt to new tariffs, global trade disruptions and ever-evolving regulations, making major (yet, essential) changes to the supply chain is inevitable. Yet, in doing so companies can introduce new risks and complexities in customs that businesses must proactively manage. Some ways to reduce risk include:

1. Diversifying supply chain locations

Single-country dependencies for supply chain production are quickly becoming a thing of the past. With heavy exposure to politically sensitive markets, geopolitical tensions and protectionist policies, more businesses are pursuing location diversification as a means of spreading production across multiple regions.

While diversification spreads risk, it also introduces new customs jurisdictions – each with its own regulatory requirements, documentation standards and clearance timelines. Without a robust customs strategy and regional expertise, the very diversification that promises increased resilience can instead lead to administrative friction and operational delays.

2. Expanding the supplier base and embracing reshoring and nearshoring

Where once single-source procurement was prized for efficiency and cost savings, businesses are now prioritising balance by expanding the supplier network. This shift is driven by a desire to be more adaptable to disruptions and ensure the consistent availability of supplies.

Reshoring and nearshoring are also emerging as key risk mitigating drivers. Rising global freight costs, long lead times and the desire for better supply chain visibility have prompted companies to bring operations closer to home, to nearby and neighbouring countries. In fact, 73% of European companies have already invested in nearshoring or combined reshoring strategies in 2025 – up from just 42% the year prior – reflecting a sharp acceleration in regional production shifts⁵.

Benefits of supplier expansion and nearshoring:

• Reduces logistics complexity and transit time
• Enables faster response to demand changes and supply shocks
• Reduces exposure to high-risk trade corridors and customs bottlenecks

Some automotive businesses are exploring options for relocating production of cars and parts from China to places like Hungary, in hopes of localising production near core EU retail markets. This reflects a broader trend to mitigate risks from EU-China trade tensions, while also streamlining automotive delivery to European customers.

Yet even regional moves come with customs implications. Nearshoring to different countries requires alignment with additional trade agreements – and missteps in classification and documentation can result in denied shipments or unexpected duties. Precise and proactive customs planning is critical to realising the full potential of regional supplier shifts.

3. Strategic inventory management

Tariffs and trade disruptions don’t just impact sourcing decisions – they also directly affect how companies plan, store and transport inventory. Strategic inventory management is a key buffer against market volatility, particularly when importing from regularly disrupted regions. As well as this, options like bonded warehousing can allow businesses to store goods without import duties charged until they’re transported to the importing country at a later date – giving businesses back that much needed time and flexibility.

Now, businesses must gain a deep understanding of their tariff, trade and regulatory noncompliance risk exposure. They must also work with suppliers to restructure contracts with the goal of ensuring compliance, such as correct classification of products and correct duties being charged.

Benefits of strategic inventory management:

• Improved visibility of supply chain risk landscape
• Reduced exposure to hidden or unexpected inventory shortages or delays
• Improved cost efficiency by sourcing from countries with lower tariffs

Plus, beyond physical inventory, digital visibility is critical. Companies need real-time insight into where goods are and how changes in customs regulations might impact order fulfilment.

Relevant supply chain intel and customs data will continue to be gold dust currency as companies navigate the coming months. Modern customs solutions with integrated visibility tools offer a significant advantage here: transforming what was once a blind spot into a strategic advantage.

Why customs handling is critical to supply chain resilience

As businesses diversify locations, expand customer supplier bases and shift production sites, the customs function must evolve in lockstep too.

As such, customs handling should not be treated as a logistics afterthought – rather, as a business enabler. When managed properly, it helps companies avoid delays and fines, increase multi-region speed to market and turn regulatory complexity into a strategic advantage.

In the new, unpredictable era of global trade, businesses that invest in expert customs partners and integrated customs processes will be well-equipped to build future-proof supply chains.

Get in touch to find out how Maersk can support your growing customs needs.

For more on how expert customs handling can turn regulatory complexity into a competitive edge, explore our companion article: Unlock the Commercial Significance of Customs Management.

1. https://www.descartes.com/lp/descartes-supply-chain-intelligence-benchmarking-escalating-challenges-supply-chain-leaders
2. https://www.descartes.com/lp/descartes-supply-chain-intelligence-benchmarking-escalating-challenges-supply-chain-leaders
3. https://www.bain.com/insights/tariffs-are-shaking-up-investment-priorities-snap-chart/
4. https://www.loftware.com/resources/blog/2025/top-5-trends-for-2025-navigating-compliance-demands-in-the-global-supply-chain
5. Reindustrialization strategies in Europe and the US – 2025