How to Navigate Supply Chain Uncertainty

Supply chain uncertainty happens when unexpected events disrupt the flow of goods, from raw materials to finished products. Just one delay can raise costs, halt production or cause lost sales. Uncertainty is higher than ever for many businesses due to changing tariffs, geopolitical tensions, new regulations and other ongoing risks like extreme weather.

A 10% baseline tariff now applies to nearly all imports, with higher reciprocal rates in many countries. The new ESG regulations, forced labor bans and export controls increase the amount of paperwork and the number of audits businesses must complete. Together, these changes place even more pressure on already strained operations.

Many companies are searching for better ways to make sense of fast-changing conditions. The good news is that this shift is creating new opportunities to strengthen resilience and stay ahead of future disruptions.

Top Risks Facing Supply Chains

Global supply chains face steady pressure from diverse influences. These factors affect timelines, pricing and supplier reliability, which makes early detection of disruptions and stronger planning important for any company moving goods across borders.

Tariffs and Trade Changes

Tariffs are near historical highs, with a baseline of 10% applied to most imports — additional country-specific and Section 301 duties are pushing many goods toward effective rates in the 20% range. These shifts raise landed costs with little warning because tariff decisions often take effect immediately.

Your company may only feel the impact once the higher duty charges appear on your customs entries, which forces you to adjust pricing after the fact.

Geopolitical Issues

Tension in several regions continues to disrupt major shipping corridors. When vessels avoid high-risk zones, transit times increase and freight may shift to longer alternative routes.

These changes also strain the capacity of safer lanes, which raises transport costs and creates unreliable schedules due to more uncertainty — sourcing decisions and delivery plans can change with little notice.

Regulatory Compliance

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) enforcement remains strict, and officials will hold shipments if suppliers can’t prove that the raw materials meet required labor standards.

New carbon rules, such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), require verified emissions data before goods can clear customs. Any missing or incomplete documentation slows inspections and increases the likelihood of delays at the border.

Shortages and Disruptions

Export controls on specific metals, minerals and semiconductor inputs limit how much manufacturers can access. This pushes lead times out as far as several production cycles and increases the risk of stalled or incomplete orders.

Economic Pressures

Freight rates remain higher than they were before 2024, and carriers must adjust the amount of space they offer to maintain stable prices. Currency fluctuations and new insurance regulations can lead to significant shifts in shipment costs, making budget planning more challenging.

Higher interest rates introduce additional pressure because inventory becomes more expensive to hold when it stays in transit for longer than expected.

8 Strategies to Build a Resilient Supply Chain

For many teams, the question of how to navigate supply chain uncertainty comes down to practical moves that keep the total costs predictable, transit times stable and supply flowing when conditions change. This involves making strategic decisions about manufacturing locations, such as whether to bring production closer (onshoring), keep it overseas for cost or capacity benefits (offshoring), or blend both approaches for optimal resilience.

Explore key strategies for building a resilient supply chain below:

1. Diversify your suppliers: Look at expanding your sourcing across regions like Mexico, Vietnam, India, Thailand and Eastern Europe. Spreading production across several locations reduces the chance that one country’s shutdown, tariffs or transport delays will disrupt your entire supply chain.
2. Increase visibility and leverage technology: Utilize real-time tracking and AI tools to identify slowdowns before they occur and to monitor their progress at every stage. Combine container numbers, airway bill updates and status alerts into a single dashboard, allowing your team to identify delays and respond promptly before they escalate.
3. Stock buffer inventory: Hold 30 to 90 days of extra supply for products with long lead times that are susceptible to tariff changes. Pair this with demand forecasting to ensure you carry enough buffer without tying up too much cash.
4. Map your supply chain: Document tier one through tier three suppliers to uncover exposure you can’t see in your regular purchase orders. This helps you identify where goods may pass through regions with higher tariffs, concerns about forced labor or unstable ports.
5. Use AI and predictive tools: Utilize predictive analytics to identify potential canal closures, port strikes or tariff updates. These tools recommend alternative routes or suppliers early enough for you to adjust before a disruption occurs.
6. Build strong partnerships: Work with logistics providers that manage air, ocean, trucking, customs support and compliance in one connected service. A single coordinated network supports clear routing decisions, reduces errors and helps your team respond faster when the market swings.
7. Focus on sustainability: Choose to work with routes and carriers that comply with emissions regulations in regions such as the European Union. Early adoption reduces the risk of compliance fines and helps avoid customs delays tied to carbon reporting checks.
8. Create backup plans: Approve alternative ports, airlines, carriers and trade lanes ahead of time. Test these options a few times a year so your team can shift shipments within days when a disruption occurs.

How to Measure Your Success

Strong performance needs reliable indicators that reflect the health of your supply chains. The metrics below show whether your efforts are improving resilience and reducing disruption:

• On-time delivery rate tracks how consistently shipments reach customers as scheduled.
• Total supply chain cost shows how tariffs, transport fees and storage charges influence your budget.
• Inventory turnover measures how quickly stock moves without running out.
• Disruption count and recovery time reveal how well your systems respond to delays.
• Supplier performance scores highlight which partners support smooth operations and which create risk.

Businesses can review these metrics monthly to help identify issues early.

Navigate Supply Chain Uncertainty With the Right Partner

Navigating supply chain uncertainty is easier with a logistics partner that supports every stage of global movement.

EMO Trans provides tailored air, ocean and inland solutions that keep your cargo moving and reduce the impact of market shifts. Our teams can help you plan routes, manage compliance and improve visibility so your operations stay reliable when conditions change.

If you want stronger shipment performance with fewer disruptions, contact us today and request a quote. An EMO Trans team member will review your routes, timing needs and cargo requirements and help you plan your next move with confidence.