Import Challenges: We Explain Trade Barriers and More

Import challenges are a fact of life that can frustrate even the most experienced businesses. From calculating tariffs to ensuring compliance with trade regulations, each step brings its own set of issues. Knowing where things can go wrong allows businesses to have contingency plans in place. 

Key takeaways:

• Importers face a variety of challenges such as customs duties, customs bond costs, and demurrage charges.
• Importers have to contend with non-tariff trade barriers like import quotas, customs delays, and regulatory requirements.
• There are various risks associated with importing, such as damaged products, being undersold by competitors, and uncertain conditions in foreign nations.  
• Imported products that don’t meet the regulations of U.S. government agencies will be subject to seizure, fines, and other penalties.

Don’t let import challenges overwhelm you. In this guide, we’ll review common import business risks and challenges, and how to beat them.

What Are Common U.S. Import Challenges

Every importer starts out with a vision of bringing goods into the U.S. to grow their business and meet consumer demands. The way forward doesn’t exactly run smooth, though.

Uncertain economic conditions, complex regulations, and shipping difficulties are just a few examples of importing problems. In importing and exporting, these challenges are referred to as trade barriers. 

Trade barriers come in many forms, and importers must keep a vigilant eye on them to maintain import compliance. If overlooked, they can result in fines and disruptions to your business.

Although import values have shown steady growth, as indicated, that does not mean challenges have gotten any easier to deal with. 

The value of imports grew between 2020 and 2023, with imports falling slightly in 2024. Recent efforts to increase U.S.-based manufacturing could be a sign that these values would drop further. 

 A closer look at the challenges most likely to impact trade will be discussed in the next sections. 

Tariffs, Duties, and and Other Cost-Based Trade Barriers

Duties are taxes on imported goods and services. Duty rates, usually calculated as a percentage of value, vary by product and country of origin, affecting your bottom line. Most duties are determined by a product’s Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code, and can stay consistent for years. 

Tariffs, although the term is sometimes used interchangeably with duties, are a more direct tax.  These rates can frequently change due to new trade agreements, executive policies, or to combat foreign trade practices, making it harder to predict costs long term.

Related: A Guide to US Import Taxes

The financial impact of duties and tariffs is direct: they add to the cost of goods, reducing profit margins. For example, a sudden tariff hike on coffee from a popular source might increase the cost of a shipment by thousands of dollars. This cost either cuts into the importer's profit or is passed on to consumers, making the product less competitive.

Importers currently face a series of fees impacting individual commodities and sources. Some are put in place intentionally to discourage high volumes of certain products. Others are simply there as standard fees.   

Aside from standard rates of duty based on HTS codes, here are other fees and tariffs to watch out for: :

• Bond Costs: Importers must have a bond in place to guarantee payment of duties and taxes.
• Demurrage Charges: Fees for cargo sitting past the allowed time at the port.
• Detention Fees: When containers are held for inspection and exceed the free time.
• Examination Fees: Costs for customs to inspect cargo, which can be random or targeted.
• Reciprocal Tariffs: These are flat rates, typically set to 10% ad valorem being imposed on most US trade partners.
• Anti-dumping and/or Countervailing Duty (AD/CVD): Imposed specifically to correct trade imbalances created by excessive imports of a product or when production in a foreign company is aided by government subsidies.
• Section 301 or 232 Tariffs: Tariffs specific to designated HTS codes and often applying to specific countries. They are usually determined through an investigative process and can remain stable for years. 
• Executive Orders: Via an EO, the president can directly raise or apply tariffs without an investigative review beforehand. 

A recent example of an EO resulting in unexpected fees were the 25% ad valorem duties applied to goods out of Canada and Mexico. These affect imports that don’t meet the FTA origin standards, allowing for free or reduced duties when entering the US. 

Related: How to Complete a USMCA Certificate of Origin

All these fees add up to raise the cost of doing business. They aren’t stopping you from importing, but might require you to re-examine your trade strategies. 

Overcoming Cost Barriers

To lessen the impact of tariffs and other costs, importers can:

• Seek Alternatives: Look for goods with lower tariff rates, or consider sourcing from different countries.
• Apply for Exemptions: Some goods may qualify for tariff exemptions. It's worth checking the regulations.
• Use Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): FTAs, like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), can offer lower or no tariffs on certain goods from participating countries.
• Improve Supply Chain Efficiency: Streamlining logistics can offset costs associated with port fees by ensuring that goods are moved out in a timely manner. 

Doing your research before committing to a purchase is essential to avoiding certain high tariff rates. Beware of certain online suppliers who can make it easier to buy a wide variety of products, but won’t warn you about attached fees or things like trade mark laws.  

This is especially true when importing from places like China, whose goods are subject to Section 301 tariffs. 

Related: A Guide to China's Section 301 Tariffs (2025 Update)

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Are You Confused About Tariffs?

Navigating tariffs can be a real challenge when you're an importer. Our Licensed Customs Brokers will show you which ones apply to your goods. 

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Non-Tariff Trade Barriers

Non-tariff trade barriers are restrictions that countries use to control and regulate goods and services across their borders. They can take many forms and create challenges for importers by limiting what goods that can be brought into a country or requiring extra steps before entry that could result in delays if not handled correctly. 

Unlike tariffs, these barriers are often regulatory or procedural in nature. While inconvenient for importers, they can serve to protect consumers, the environment, and local economies.

Such barriers aren’t limited to what the US imposes. Countries can limit exports of certain products, as an example.

Here are some examples of non-tariff trade barriers that U.S. importers may encounter:

• Import Quotas/Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs): Limits on the quantity of goods that can be imported. Sometimes enforced through a TRQ which allows for lowered duties up to a specific quantity. This is done to encourage domestic economic growth.
• Customs Processes: Heightened security during certain times of the year or during peak seasons can slow processing times at ports of entry. 
• Government Regulations: Partner Government Agencies (PGA) have rules for specific product categories you’ll have to follow when importing. 
• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures: These are health and safety standards, which are meant to minimize or eliminate contamination of certain goods.
• Distribution Restrictions: Challenges in getting products to market due to local laws or lack of infrastructure.
• Import Permits/Certificates: These can take the form of special declarations, such as timber permits or FDA facility approval certificates, that are attached to specified products.

These barriers require importers to be well-versed in the regulations set forth by U.S. government agencies, particularly the ones overseeing the products being entered.  

If you are unsure of which agencies may regulate your products, consulting with a licensed broker can provide you with the needed contacts. 

Since so many of these non-tariff barriers involve product regulation, let’s review the possible consequences. 

What Happens If Your Goods Do Not Meet U.S. Standards?

When importing goods into the United States, you’re expected to meet all legal requirements. The various regulatory agencies have standards in place to ensure safety, compliance, and fair trade. If your goods fall short of these standards, the repercussions can be severe. 

Here's a snapshot of potential penalties.

• Seizure of Goods: If your items don't meet the necessary standards, CBP has the authority to seize them. This means you could lose your entire shipment and, by extension, any profit.
• Fines: Importers can face substantial fines if their goods are non-compliant. These fines can vary depending on the nature and severity of the violation, but can easily reach thousands of dollars.
• Denial of Entry: Non-compliant goods are often denied entry into the U.S. This not only delays your current shipment, but can also lead to increased scrutiny on future shipments.
• Legal Action: If the non-compliance is found to be intentional, or if the imported goods pose a serious risk to public health or safety, importers can face legal action. This could range from civil lawsuits to criminal prosecution.
• Forced Recalls: If non-compliant goods have already been sold or distributed, the government can mandate a recall. This is not only costly, but can also damage your business’s reputation and erode trust with your customers.
• Loss of Importing Privileges: Repeated violations or serious non-compliance issues can lead to being banned from importing, effectively halting your ability to do business.
• Cost of Compliance: Beyond penalties, there's also the cost of bringing your goods into compliance, which may include additional testing, modifications, or complete remanufacturing.

Understanding and adhering to all U.S. standards and regulations will save you from most of these issues. 

Additional Import Risks and Challenges of International Trade

Beyond specific trade barriers, whether tariff-based or otherwise, working within the international trade industry takes the challenges all businesses typically encounter and compounds them. 

Some of these challenges are:

• Logistics and Shipping Complexities: Coordinating the movement of goods over long, international distances.
• Payment Risks: Ensuring that payments are received on time and in full can be more challenging when dealing with the global economy.
• Supply Chain Reliability: Maintaining a reliable supply chain over international borders is complex. Risks such as political uncertainty, natural disasters, or labor disputes in another country impact the availability of goods.
• Currency Exchange Fluctuations: The exchange rate between different currencies affects the cost of transactions and can lead to financial losses if not managed properly.
• Cultural and Language Differences: Misunderstandings arising from language barriers and cultural differences can lead to miscommunications. These can result in transaction errors and strained business relationships.

These risks affect all businesses at different levels. However, as with trade barriers, doing your research ahead of time and working with the right partners can save you money and peace of mind. 

How USA Customs Clearance Helps You With Importing Challenges

While importing goods to the USA can be challenging, it’s also a great opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking profitable opportunities. With an complete customs brokerage services on your side, these opportunities are easier to realize.

At USA Customs Clearance, we offer a number of services to assist importers, including:

• Customs consulting sessions: Discuss the regulations you’ll have to follow when importing your products with one of our Licensed Customs Brokers.
• Brokerage services: Receive import assistance on a variety of topics, such as tariff classification, Section 301 support, and ISF penalties. 
• Bundles for new importers: If you’re new to importer, our bundles can get you set up with the basics you’ll need to know. 
• And more

Don’t let import challenges affect your business. Give us a call at (866) 989-3538, or contact our team of customs experts online. With over a century of combined experience, our brokers can help you overcome import obstacles while you focus on your business.

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Are You Facing Multiple Import Challenges?

Meet with one of our Licensed Customs Brokers for a 45-minute consulting session. They'll help you overcome any challenge by showing you the correct steps to follow. 

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