US tariff hikes take effect on August 7th: what it means for Global Trade Operations

August 7, 2025, marks the rollout of one of the most sweeping tariff shifts in recent U.S. trade policy history. The new reciprocal tariff framework, dramatically raises duty rates across a wide range of countries and products. 

For importers, customs brokers and third-party logistics providers (3PLs), this means higher import costs, stricter compliance requirements and greater operational risk. Without a plan, the impact will ripple across sourcing, landed cost management and supply chain timelines.

Companies without a proactive plan risk margin erosion, shipment delays and costly penalties.

This guide breaks down the changes, answers common tariff compliance questions and explains how automation can protect both margins and market access. 

Why this matters now

The new rules don’t just adjust rates; they fundamentally change the risk profile of every shipment.

If your goods are on the water before August 7, you have until October 5 to get them entered at current rates. Miss that window and you could face tariffs that are 15% to 55% higher, plus additional surcharges for certain countries and product categories.

And this time, there’s no de minimis safety net. As of August 29, even low-value shipments under $800 will require full customs entry and duty payment.

What’s changing  and how it could affect you

The new framework introduces country-specific duty increases based on trade surpluses with the U.S.:

• 15% — many goods from the EU, Japan and South Korea
• 30–35% — selected imports from Mexico and Europe
• 50% — Brazilian imports, plus a new 40% surcharge on most Brazilian goods
• 39% — Swiss goods, particularly luxury watches and high-precision instruments
• 40%+ — imports from Myanmar, Laos and Syria
• 55%+ tariffs — on Chinese products (still in place pending negotiations)

Trans-shipment penalties

Routing goods through another country to disguise their origin? Expect a 40% flat tariff plus penalties  from fines to possible loss of import privileges.

Section 232 expansion 
Once limited to steel and aluminum, Section 232 tariffs now cover automobiles, auto parts and copper (up to 50%). Pharmaceuticals and microchips could be next.

Overlapping tariff rules 

If a Section 232 duty applies, a reciprocal tariff may not; but only if filed under the correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code.

The ripple effect on supply chains

The new tariff and regulatory changes are substantial, leading to higher costs, stricter deadlines and greater demands for importers. 

Importers can expect:

• Higher landed costs eating into margins
• More complex, formal entries replacing low-value filings
• Increased CBP audits targeting country-of-origin claims
• Sourcing strategies under pressure as suppliers in high-tariff countries become less competitive

How about for 3PLs and Customs Brokers?

3PLs and Customs Brokers sit at the center of transportation, storage, fulfillment and customs coordination across the international supply chain, bringing both opportunity and operational risk.

Key impacts of the new tariff changes include:

• More complex customs entries, often requiring multiple tariff provisions.
• Duty calculations for complex product lines must be reviewed manually, with extra checks for accuracy.
• Higher expectations on 3PLs for tariff strategy, routing optimization and compliance support.
• Ongoing staff training to stay current on tariff schedules, CBP enforcement and country-specific rules.Tighter port scheduling to meet the October 5 entry deadline.

6 immediate action steps for importers and 3PLs

• Map your exposure: Identify high-tariff SKUs and impacted supply lanes
• Audit your supply base: identify which products face the steepest tariff hikes and explore alternative sourcing regions.
• Tighten HTS code accuracy: filing errors could now cost more in penalties than in duties especially with transshipment under scrutiny. Ensure correct classification for both reciprocal and Section 232 duties
• Re-work lead times: if you’ve got goods in transit, plan entries well before the October 5 deadline.
• Automate compliance checks: reduce risk from manual entry errors. manual calculations won’t be sufficient when tariffs vary by country, product type and multiple overlapping provisions. 
• Train your teams: Keep compliance staff and brokers updated on tariff changes

How Infios Customs & Trade Compliance keeps you moving

Importers and logistics providers are facing a rapidly shifting and increasingly complex tariff environment further compounded by the latest changes on deck – but Infios Customs and Trade Compliance solutions can help businesses automate, streamline and safeguard operations in this uncertain environment offering, including:

• Automated tariff calculations using real-time HTS and country-specific duty data
• Table driven lists for Section 301, Section 232 and IEEPA tariffs
• Built-in compliance rules to prevent inaccurate filings 
• Audit-ready documentation management system to support U.S. Customs inquiries
• Alerts, workflows and reports tied to regulatory changes and shipment timing around upcoming deadlines.   
• Future integration paths with Infios’s OMS, TMS and WMS products to provide purpose-built features offering additional customer value and benefit.

The August 7 tariffs will impact nearly every stage of the import and logistics chain, requiring a coordinated response across sourcing, customs compliance, transportation and customer pricing.  

By centralizing and automating trade data, Infios Global Trade Solutions enables importers and logistics providers to stay ahead of regulatory changes, reduce risk exposure and improve operational efficiency, even as the trade landscape evolves.