Beyond Duty Rates: The Real Power of Tariff Engineering

Tariff engineering goes beyond duty rates. See how sourcing, manufacturing, and assembly decisions can impact total landed cost. Tariff engineering isn't simply about finding a lower tariff or duty rate. In this Simply Trade clip, Hal Berman explains why companies should look at the complete financial equation—including manufacturing, sourcing, post-importation assembly, duties, and other costs—to determine whether a change actually produces a positive return on investment. The discussion highlights how businesses can approach tariff engineering and duty optimization by evaluating changes throughout the product and supply chain. Could a different sourcing strategy reduce costs? Could importing a product as separate components and completing final assembly after importation change the economics? Could a special trade program or lower base duty rate provide an opportunity? The objective is ultimately bigger than reducing customs duty: it's about finding legitimate strategies that reduce total landed duty-paid cost and make financial sense for the business. [TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS] 00:00 - Tariff Engineering Beyond the Duty Rate 00:08 - Evaluating the Full ROI Equation 00:17 - Manufacturing, Sourcing & Final Assembly 00:31 - Reducing Total Landed Duty-Paid Cost 00:40 - Special Programs & Lower Duty Rates 00:49 - Importing Components for Final Assembly 00:58 - What Falls Under Tariff Engineering RESOURCES & TRADE COMPLIANCE COURSES: • Global Training Center – International Trade Compliance Training The supplied transcript does not include the referenced “Topic Mapping Rules” or specific dynamically mapped course URLs, so I have not invented course mappings. CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE: Trade compliance is changing quickly. Subscribe to Simply Trade for practical conversations covering customs compliance, tariffs, classification, supply chain strategy, and international trade. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: • Simply Trade on Apple Podcasts • Simply Trade on Spotify • Simply Trade on YouTube 💬 Connect: • Simply Trade on LinkedIn • Global Training Center on LinkedIn • Trade Geeks Community #TariffEngineering #TradeCompliance #DutyOptimization #CustomsCompliance #GlobalTrade