New tariffs are once again shaking up global commerce. In 2025, the U.S. imposed an additional 20% tariff on Chinese imports and increased duties on goods from Mexico, Canada, and the EU, all of which are forcing businesses to reassess their long-held supply chain strategies.
For ecommerce companies, these changes aren’t just background noise. They directly affect what you source, how you price, and how fast you can deliver. Tariffs have grown from a regulatory footnote to a front-and-center challenge with real implications for your bottom line.
So, how do you stay agile when the rules keep changing? It starts with rethinking the foundation of your supply chain while making sure your fulfillment strategy is built to flex.
Tariffs don’t just affect what you pay at the port — they ripple through every stage of your ecommerce supply chain.
Rising import duties immediately inflate the cost of raw materials and finished goods. Add higher shipping and logistics expenses, and you’re suddenly managing slimmer margins before products even reach your warehouse.
The impact of tariffs on supply chains also extends to upstream reliability. Many ecommerce brands face supplier instability, especially when they rely heavily on partners in high-tariff regions like China or Mexico. Bottlenecks emerge, lead times stretch, and contingency planning becomes essential.
On the downstream side, pricing pressure from customers makes it difficult to simply pass on the extra costs. Brands must balance competitiveness and profitability, all while maintaining fulfillment speed and product availability.
Industries like electronics and apparel feel these effects acutely. A 20% tariff on Chinese imports can raise the price of a smartphone component or a hoodie, triggering sourcing changes and even product redesigns. In consumer packaged goods, the pressure is pushing brands toward nearshoring and bulk inventory storage just to stay ahead of disruptions.
This is why supply chain resilience has become a strategic priority in ecommerce. It’s less about reacting to tariff changes and more about designing a fulfillment network that adapts in real time, keeps costs under control, and delivers for customers no matter what.
Here are four strategies ecommerce businesses can use to mitigate the impact of tariffs on supply chains:
The “China plus one” strategy — sourcing from China and at least one additional country — is gaining momentum. Why? Because relying on a single region leaves you vulnerable to sudden tariff hikes or geopolitical tensions.
Exploring regional suppliers in countries like Mexico, Vietnam, or India can reduce exposure to trade disruptions and improve lead times. While diversification takes time and investment, it pays off in long-term flexibility and cost control.
Where you store and ship from matters more than ever. By shifting inventory closer to your customer base — or into lower-risk regions — you can minimize the impact of tariffs on supply chains.
Nearshoring and micro-fulfillment models can help ecommerce brands avoid the brunt of international shipping fees and duties. This is especially true for fast-moving or high-margin products.
Tariff volatility demands better forecasting. With real-time inventory tools and scenario modeling, you can track how potential trade shifts affect stock levels, cash flow, and delivery timelines.
Materialogic’s clients benefit from Infoplus, our warehouse management system that integrates forecasting, inventory tracking, and order data. That means faster pivots and fewer surprises.
A strategic 3PL partner should do more than fulfill orders. They should help you shift inventory across regions, reroute shipments, and negotiate smarter carrier contracts when costs spike.
If you’re not getting that level of support from your current provider, you might be asking the wrong questions.
Start Here: 5 Critical Questions Your 3PL Should Be Asking You
Not all supply chain problems start with sourcing. Sometimes, the real breakdown is in your fulfillment model. If any of these sound familiar, it might be time for a change:
If your fulfillment operations are unable to absorb the impact of tariffs on supply chains, you don’t need to settle. You need a partner who can scale with you.
Here's how to choose the right 3PL.
Tariffs aren’t a one-time hurdle; they’re a signal that global supply chain volatility is here to stay. From rising duties to shifting trade alliances, uncertainty is the new normal.
That’s why strategic supply chain management in ecommerce isn’t just operational — it’s a competitive advantage. The right distribution center strategy and fulfillment partner can help you withstand the impact of tariffs on supply chains and protect your customer experience.
Whether you're evaluating your current 3PL or considering one for the first time, now’s the time to rethink the backend so your ecommerce business can grow from the front.
For more on how to manage supply chain disruptions, get in touch with us today.