Be ready to stay on top of tariffs and compliance

Florencia Serra North American, Customer Communications Manager

15 5 2025

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Get the latest regulatory updates and make the right supply chain decisions to go all the way.

In an era where customs regulations are evolving faster than ever, the stakes for businesses around the world have never been higher. That’s exactly why we brought together a powerhouse panel of trade experts in our latest webinar, Beyond the tariffs: Navigating supply chain strategies in a changing trade landscape. Leaders from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Altana AI, the U.S. Fashion Industry Association, and Maersk shared the virtual stage to break down complex regulatory shifts, explore real-world compliance challenges, and reveal strategies for building more resilient, transparent, and responsive supply chains. From the rising importance of trade intelligence to navigating forced labor enforcement and illegal transshipment concerns, the conversation offered a clear message: compliance is no longer just a responsibility, it’s a competitive advantage.

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Key highlights from the session:

Reinforce trade compliance with a back-to-basics approach
In a time of regulatory flux, panelists underscored the importance of getting the fundamentals right. Understanding how your goods are classified, valued, and assigned a country of origin is more critical than ever. Customs enforcement agencies are looking for clear documentation and logical, repeatable processes that demonstrate reasonable care—a foundational principle of the Customs Modernization Act.
Build resilience into your tariff strategy
With evolving tariffs and shifting trade agreements, companies are rethinking how and where they source. The panel emphasized the need to prioritize resilience over efficiency, particularly when facing sudden changes to tariff rates or trade policy. Long-term supplier relationships and flexible sourcing plans can help businesses adapt quickly to new conditions.
Leverage trade intelligence across the business
Forward-looking companies are embedding trade compliance knowledge into procurement, logistics, legal, and finance workflows—not just siloed in compliance teams. Speakers highlighted that using integrated tools and data platforms can turn customs data into enterprise-wide decision support, enabling better responses to questions around tariff exposure and regulatory risk.
Use official customs resources to stay informed
The panel encouraged participants to take full advantage of the many free tools provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection—such as the ACE Portal, CSMS updates, and the Customs Rulings Online Search System. These resources offer timely policy guidance, import data visibility, and classification support, helping businesses stay compliant amid ongoing changes.

How to prepare your supply chain for what’s next

You don’t need to predict every regulatory change, but you do need to build systems that help you respond when they happen. Start by reviewing how your goods are classified, valued, and sourced—then document that logic. Customs looks for consistency and clarity, especially during audits or enforcement reviews. Invest in internal communication across sourcing, logistics, legal, and finance teams so that decisions are aligned and based on current compliance data. Supply chain transparency isn’t just about knowing your tier-one suppliers, it includes understanding manufacturing processes, materials, and labor conditions across all tiers. Whether you’re managing tariff exposure, forced labor risk, or transshipment concerns, your best advantage is early action backed by accurate data and internal accountability.

Laurie Dempsey

Acting Deputy Executive Director,
Office of Trade Relations at U.S. CBP

Laurie Dempsey is the Acting Deputy Executive Director in the Office of Trade Relations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. With more than 30 years of experience across CBP’s trade functions, she has led national programs in regulatory audit, e-commerce enforcement, and intellectual property rights. Her career reflects deep expertise in customs operations, policy development, and stakeholder engagement across the trade landscape.

Julia K. Hughes

President,
United States Fashion Industry Association

Julia Hughes is the President of the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), representing American brands, retailers, importers, and wholesalers engaged in global trade. She is a recognized expert on textile and apparel trade policy and regularly engages with U.S. and international policymakers to advocate for the industry. Julia frequently speaks at global trade forums and has testified before Congress on issues impacting the fashion and consumer goods sectors.

Amy Morgan

VP,
Trade Compliance, Altana

Amy Morgan is Vice President of Trade Compliance at Altana, where she leads global trade and compliance solutions for both enterprise and government clients, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the UK Department for Business and Trade. A licensed U.S. Customs Broker with over 20 years of experience, she has worked across the private and public sectors to develop technology-driven approaches to supply chain risk, including forced labor and illegal transshipment. Prior to Altana, she held senior roles at Avalara, Amazon, Costco, Nordstrom, and Microsoft.

Janet L. Labuda

Head of Customs and Trade Issues,
Maersk Customs Services

Janet Labuda is Head of Customs and Trade Issues at Maersk Customs Services, where she advises clients on compliance strategies with a focus on forced labor risk and supply chain visibility. She brings over 30 years of experience from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, where she led national textile policy, trade enforcement programs, and participated in international trade agreement negotiations. Janet continues to work at the intersection of regulation and technology, helping businesses navigate complex global trade requirements.

Mark Zeitlin

Regional Head of Customs,
Maersk Customs Services

Mark Zeitlin is Head of Customs Brokerage North America at Maersk, where he leads brokerage operations, compliance, and consulting across the region. With over 40 years of experience in the customs brokerage industry, Mark has driven modernization through a technology-led approach, including the development of Maersk’s Customs Navigator platform. He is a Licensed Customs Broker and Certified Customs Specialist with deep expertise in regulatory strategy and engagement with U.S. Customs and partner government agencies.