The global trade landscape is shifting—and it’s not just supply chain managers feeling the impact.

Recent U.S. tariff changes are adding new layers of complexity to international shipping, and for IT teams responsible for deploying endpoint devices around the world, those complexities are creating real bottlenecks.

Customs Is Slowing Down, and Devices Are Getting Stuck

It’s not just about increased costs. Tariffs are tightening the screws on customs clearance in ways that affect speed, accuracy, and predictability.

• More Documentation: International shipments now require expanded paperwork, from certificates of origin to highly specific product classifications. A single missing detail can delay a shipment by days—or more.
• Longer Processing Times: Customs authorities are taking a closer look. More inspections and stricter compliance checks are dragging out processing timelines.

For distributed teams, this creates serious friction. Devices meant for onboarding sit in limbo. Offboarding gets delayed. Hardware availability becomes unpredictable—right when speed and visibility matter most.

What IT Teams Can Do About It

In this new environment, proactive planning and better logistics infrastructure are key. That means:

• Partnering with logistics providers who understand the evolving global trade landscape
• Ensuring shipments include complete and compliant documentation
• Tracking assets in real time to anticipate and address customs delays early

At Remota, we’re helping IT teams navigate these customs bottlenecks with smart, globally aware logistics workflows. Our team handles the complexity—so your team can stay focused on scaling, securing, and supporting a distributed workforce.

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