Critical Hour: American Businesses Have Two Weeks Before Tariffs Increase.

Under Pressure from New Tariffs: US Companies Prepare for Challenges with Customs Documentation

American companies are feeling increasing pressure as they try to export goods before President Donald Trump's tariffs take effect, while simultaneously facing complicated documentation requirements at the border.

Two important deadlines are looming for businesses: the end of the 90-day pause on Trump's 'reciprocal tariffs' implementation in mid-July and another in mid-August. If neither is extended, the cost of tariffs could suddenly rise, Bloomberg reports.

'Everyone agrees that the next two to four weeks are critical,' said Scott Dudley, head of ocean freight services in North America for Rhenus Logistics. 'The wait-and-see approach was a good idea for a few weeks, but now importers need to act.'

The need to comply with rapidly changing requirements for electronic documentation is becoming yet another challenge. Businesses must accurately classify goods, determine the country of origin, and pay applicable taxes. Failure to meet these requirements can result in increased fines.

Increased Demand for Shipping Goods from China to the US

There is a growing demand for transporting goods from China to the United States. The Port of Long Beach, the second-busiest container port in the US, expects an uptick in imports by the middle of next month.

One of those placing new orders is Stacey Finnerty, manager of the Tumbl Trak gymnastics center in Michigan. She is facing the challenge of planning under conditions of shifting policy and sourcing equipment from China.

'This is one of those issues where we still need clarity from the administration,' says Jonathan Gold, vice president for supply chains and customs policy at the National Retail Federation.

Thus, new tariff requirements and documentation issues are creating significant difficulties for American companies exporting goods, forcing them to quickly adapt to changes in trade policy.