How My Small Business Adapted to the Import Tariff Changes
Import Tariffs Update (2026):
In early 2025, sudden import tariff changes in the US created confusion throughout the small business community. Suppliers didn’t know what costs would look like, customers didn’t know what would happen to their orders, and many small business owners were left trying to make decisions with incomplete information.
Since then, many businesses have adapted by changing suppliers, raising prices, reducing product lines, or absorbing higher costs. While some supply chains have recovered, the economic effects continue to shape how many small businesses operate today.
In my own business, I spent much of the following year with most of my print-on-demand products completely offline. Eventually, I selected suppliers based not only on product quality, but also on how they handled customs and import fees. I now work with production partners that allow duties to be paid upfront, helping prevent unexpected charges for customers and reducing shipping complications. (For more information on that, see the Addendum at the end.)
I also raised some prices to reflect increased costs and absorbed others where I could. My business survived, but the experience permanently changed how I choose suppliers and price products.
This article is a snapshot of my experience during that period.
How Import Tariffs Disrupted Small Business Overnight
Tariff Trainwreck: Small Businesses Are the Test Subjects in a Failed Experiment
If US import tariffs were funding small businesses to create manufacturing here, I’d support them. But instead, they just shut down small businesses and block access to the products people rely on. This policy hurts nearly ALL Americans.
And is it any surprise that no one considered whether U.S. Customs had the manpower, equipment, or space to handle it?
I mentioned this exact concern to someone, and they told me it was a lie—that this wasn’t happening, that I was just listening to “the wrong media,” that I was brainwashed. Had I never heard of deepfakes?! 🙄
Welp. Here we are. Exactly like I said. And what happened? Businesses shut down, orders stalled, packages lost into a deep void, and small entrepreneurs took the hit. Who is supposed to refund customers for products WE paid for? But sure. I must be the one who’s misinformed.
Although the policy has been paused after it became immediately clear that it was an absolute trainwreck (and hopefully all those packages will make it to their rightful homes eventually), the fact remains: Actions have consequences.
As a small business owner who RELIES on trade, I would like to point out that the American public should not be guinea pigs for reckless economic experiments. We are real people with real livelihoods. We are already facing rising costs in every aspect of life—medical care, food and toiletries, transportation, rent, electricity. This isn’t just a policy tweak. It impacts lives.
Economists warned that this would have a negative impact on the American economy. And yet, here we are, caught in the fallout of “Let’s just try it and see what happens.”
Godspeed to all the small packages still in limbo, and may small business not become collateral damage.
Addendum – How I Choose International Suppliers Now:
Why the Shipping Method Matters More Than You Think
In my case, the solution was not finding a different product. It was finding suppliers who shipped through commercial couriers rather than the traditional international mail system.
What I learned is that some courier networks are able to calculate and collect import tariffs before the package reaches customs. That allows the fees to be paid upfront as part of the order rather than surprising the customer with a large bill after the package arrives in the United States. Some shipments entering through the postal system have been subject to substantial additional fees exceeding the value of the items being ordered.
As a result, I now only work with production partners that allow duties and import costs to be handled during checkout. That gives me predictable costs, helps prevent unexpected charges for my customers, and reduces the risk of packages getting stuck in customs.
What to Ask Before Ordering from an International Supplier
If you are a small business owner ordering supplies from overseas, or using a print-on-demand supplier located in another country, it is worth asking how duties are handled before placing an order. The shipping company and customs process can make a significant difference in the final cost.
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For a MUCH SNARKIER take on the whole US Import Tariff Debacle, check out:
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