Dan Patrick De Los Santos has seen a significant shift in his daily work routines due to the impact of recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Prior to the tariffs, about 80% of the shipments he handled were standard procedures. Now, his focus has shifted to damage control as he navigates the complexities of the changing trade landscape.
De Los Santos is employed at Inland Customs Brokers Ltd. in Guelph, Ontario, where he assists in clearing goods through customs. His responsibilities include informing businesses about potential duty charges, health and safety regulations, and submitting necessary documentation to the government. The unpredictable tariff environment has led to extended work hours for De Los Santos, with client calls coming in even outside regular business hours.
Following the implementation of Trump’s tariffs, Inland Customs has been aiding clients in adapting to new market strategies and understanding the implications of the evolving tariff policies. The uncertainty surrounding tariffs has created challenges for customs brokers like De Los Santos, who now find themselves in the role of counselors, providing support to distraught clients grappling with increased costs and market shifts.
Dave Coulson, the Chief Operations Officer at Border Buddy, shared similar experiences of clients seeking guidance on tariff-related issues. The swift implementation of tariffs left little time for preparation, forcing customs brokers to engage in constant communication and collaboration to interpret and respond to the changing regulations effectively.
Customs brokers like Elvis Cavalic at Zipments have been facing challenges in updating tools to accommodate the rapid tariff changes. The inability to keep up with the fluctuating numbers has resulted in delays and manual data entry, adding to the complexity of their work.
De Los Santos observed a shift in sourcing patterns among Canadian retailers, with many turning to alternative suppliers outside the U.S. market to avoid tariff impacts. The unintended consequence of tariffs has been a shift in production sources from the U.S. to countries like China and Vietnam, contrary to the intended goal of boosting domestic manufacturing.
The uncertainty surrounding tariffs has left businesses in limbo, with some opting to delay unloading goods in anticipation of tariff reductions. However, the prolonged uncertainty is creating challenges for companies relying on cross-border trade, leading to a volatile and unpredictable business environment.