As President Trump rolls out a new wave of import tariffs on more than 20 countries — including Mexico and the European Union — American companies are increasingly looking for ways to keep expenses under control. One rising trend: utilizing federally regulated customs warehouses to delay or avoid paying import duties.


How do customs warehouses work?

Customs warehouses operate under U.S. Customs and Border Protection and allow imported goods to be stored without paying duties until the goods officially enter the U.S. market. “Think of it like an airport zone where you've picked up your luggage but haven't yet passed through the ‘declare/nothing to declare’ lines,” explained international trade attorney Tim Hruby in a Fox Business interview.

Goods can be unloaded from ships or planes and stored indefinitely — up to five years — until the importer decides to clear them. While companies still pay for storage, no tariffs are charged until the goods are released for domestic sale.

A growing need for flexibility and cost control

More than 1,700 customs warehouse facilities operate across the U.S., often near major ports and airports. They give companies the ability to pause imports while watching for policy shifts. If tariffs increase, goods can remain stored. If duties are reduced or exemptions are granted, the importer can immediately clear the items.

For example, a U.S. glass importer shipping from Germany might hold their cargo near a port until a tariff rollback or waiver takes effect. This method lets firms better manage liquidity, optimize supply chains, and quickly respond to market shifts.


What are the risks of customs warehousing?

According to Deborah Elms, head of trade policy at the Hinrich Foundation in Singapore, the strategy carries some risk. If tariffs rise, companies waiting to clear goods might end up paying even more in duties.

Elms also noted that customs warehousing isn't cheap: “They’re more expensive because these are controlled environments with tight oversight,” she said. Additionally, some facilities are small and cannot accommodate large volumes of goods.


Trump's tariffs are fueling demand for warehouse storage

The Trump administration has recently proposed or implemented:

🔹 30% tariffs on goods from Mexico and 27 EU countries

🔹 50% duties on copper and Brazilian imports

🔹 35% tariffs on Canadian imports

🔹 Additional duties affecting over 20 other nations

The new 30% tariffs take effect on August 1, 2025.

According to the U.S. Treasury, these duties have already generated over $100 billion in revenue this year. In June alone, collections exceeded $27 billion, marking the highest monthly figure in 2025 — a staggering 301% increase compared to June 2024.

While the White House celebrates the revenue boost, higher import costs are squeezing businesses and could ultimately result in higher prices for American consumers.

#TradeWars , #Tariffs , #TRUMP , #TradingCommunity , #Geopolitics

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