Managing Trade Policy Uncertainty in Real Time
For 3PLs handling cross-border shipments, keeping up with trade enforcement changes has become a daily challenge rather than an occasional adjustment. Scott Maberry, a partner in Sheppard Mullin's International Trade & Supply Chain team, recently addressed how importers and exporters can build resilience against constantly shifting trade policies.
The core issue isn't just that trade rules change—it's the unpredictability of when and how they'll change. This creates operational headaches for logistics providers trying to give clients accurate guidance on compliance, duties, and documentation requirements.
Maberry's insights come at a time when 3PLs are increasingly expected to be trade compliance advisors, not just freight movers. As enforcement priorities shift and new regulations emerge, logistics providers need strategies to help clients navigate the uncertainty without grinding operations to a halt every time a new policy drops.
For fulfillment and logistics operators, this means investing in ongoing trade compliance education, building flexibility into client processes, and maintaining relationships with customs brokers and trade attorneys who can provide real-time guidance when policies change.
