Structural Shifts Define Post-Tariff Supply Chains
According to The Loadstar, companies are moving beyond reactive responses to tariffs, adopting long-term structural changes in supply chain design. The shift, observed between July 2025 and 2026, marks a transition from temporary adjustments to permanent reconfiguration. Infios, a supply chain software provider, reported that China’s share of origin in North American imports declined by 2.8 percentage points over the full period, a trend that did not reverse despite initial fluctuations.
“Once the initial shock passed, a different picture emerged. Companies stopped reacting and started rebuilding. The changes that came out of this wave are the ones with real long-term significance,” said Infios.
South-East Asia Replaces China in Import Volumes
North America recorded a 3.8% decline in imports during Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025, according to Nigel Pusey, CEO of Container Trades Statistics (CTS). However, this loss was nearly fully offset by a rise in shipments from South-East Asia. Pusey noted that South-East Asia has become a stable alternative, with import volumes nearly compensating for the drop in China-origin goods.
“I think this has been cemented-in for the short to medium term. Not much is going to change because they’ve got a solid supply, it’s not being affected by tariffs. Why keep changing just because the tariff and a geopolitical trade discussion changes? You’ve got a solution, and if it works, don’t break it,” Pusey said.
Bonded Warehousing Becomes Mainstream Strategy
Infios reported a significant rise in the use of bonded warehouses, which allow companies to defer duty payments and adjust withdrawal timing. The share of bonded warehouse entries increased from approximately 10% of observed entries in 2024 to 16% immediately after tariffs were implemented. This growth accelerated in the second half of the period, indicating a strategic shift rather than a short-term reaction.
“Bonded warehouses went from a niche tool used by a handful of industries to a mainstream strategy almost overnight,” the report stated. The practice serves as a “critical pressure release valve” against policy volatility and supports selective inventory withdrawal.
Essential Capabilities for Tariff-Optimised Supply Chains
Infios identified five core capabilities essential for success in a tariff-optimised world:
- tariff modelling and scenario planning across different shipping lanes
- intelligent classification and origin management
- ability to pivot between ocean, truck, and air freight based on tariff exposure, lead time, and risk
- warehouse entry and withdrawal optimisation
- automated compliance orchestration
These capabilities are not optional, the report stressed. “These aren’t nice-to-haves; they’re the foundation of competitive supply chain execution for the next decade,” Infios emphasized.
Source: The Loadstar
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
