August 28, 2025
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The U.S.–Mexico trade relationship is in a volatile phase. Tariffs and customs rules are no longer one-off events that hit headlines once a decade — they’re shifting with a frequency that makes long-term planning difficult. The last wave of tariff measures in August showed just how quickly duties can change, hitting shippers mid-cycle and erasing margins overnight.
Right now, shippers are in a relative window of calm. A 90-day pause has delayed new tariff actions, giving companies space to breathe. But this pause is temporary. With the USMCA 2026 review on the horizon, tariff and compliance changes are expected to accelerate again in the coming months.
That’s why Nuvocargo hosted The New Border Reality, bringing together two perspectives on how to navigate what’s next:
Their message to shippers: this pause is a window of opportunity. Now is the time to strengthen documentation processes, enforce accountability, and adopt technology that can prevent the next disruption from catching you off guard.
Jay explained how many shippers are blindsided. Orders are placed months in advance, but tariffs can change between the time a product is manufactured and the moment it crosses into the U.S. What was duty-free in the spring may carry a 20% or 30% tariff by summer.
This volatility isn’t limited to one sector. Steel, aluminum, copper, and even fresh produce like tomatoes are all under new scrutiny. Worse, the lack of a valid origin certificate can trigger duties even when goods qualify for preferential treatment.
Beyond tariffs, the day-to-day complexity of cross-border shipping is reaching new levels. A single shipment might now require multiple HTS codes, each one a potential source of error. Brokers are filing more complex entries, importers are being asked for data they’ve never needed before, and the risk of inspection increases with every misstep.
Every additional delay at the border doesn’t just slow freight. It means missed delivery windows, strained customer relationships, and cascading costs across the supply chain.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: most border delays aren’t caused by trucks or infrastructure. They’re caused by people and paperwork. Missing fields, mismatched invoices, or misaligned expectations between brokers and carriers are what stall freight.
Jay’s advice to shippers:
Operational discipline helps, but as tariffs and rules multiply, even the best processes can’t keep up alone.
This is where Benji introduced Border Assistant Agent, Nuvocargo’s AI-powered customs visibility tool. Instead of relying on endless email threads and manual checks, Border Assistant automates the flow.
It ingests invoices, packing lists, and DODAs automatically. It classifies each document, extracts the right data, flags anomalies instantly, and presents everything in a dashboard that makes bottlenecks impossible to ignore.
The results are measurable. One shipper reduced filing errors by 60%, cutting down on inspections, rework, and idle trucks at the border.
And setup couldn’t be simpler. Unlike legacy systems that take months to implement, Border Assistant requires no integrations, no training, and no upfront cost. “All it takes is copying one email address into your workflow,” Benji explained. “Within weeks, you see visibility and savings.”
Right now, shippers are in a rare window of relative calm. The last major tariff headlines were back in August, and a 90-day pause on new measures has created breathing room. But this calm is temporary.
In the coming months, the reprieve will expire, and the run-up to the USMCA 2026 review will bring renewed scrutiny on rules of origin and duty treatment. Companies that act now, tightening documentation, enforcing accountability, and adopting tools like Border Assistant Agent, will be ready for the next wave of volatility.
As Jay and Benji both emphasized: don’t wait for tariffs to become “hot news” again. The smartest shippers are using this moment to prepare.
This recap only scratches the surface. In the full session, Jay and Benji go deeper into:
👉 Register here to watch the webinar on demand and get access to the full kit
Why do tariffs change after I place a purchase order?
Because trade policies can shift between production and delivery. A shipment that was duty-free when ordered may face 20–30% tariffs by the time it reaches the border.
What happens if my shipment doesn’t have an origin certificate?
It may be charged extra duties, even if the goods would normally qualify for preferential treatment. Origin documentation is now critical for customs compliance.
How can I reduce border delays caused by documentation?
Share invoices, packing lists, and bills of material early; align brokers and carriers with SOPs; and use tools like Border Assistant to flag mismatches and missing data before crossing.
Can AI really reduce customs errors?
Yes. Border Assistant has helped shippers cut filing errors by up to 60%. AI analyzes documents, verifies consistency, and alerts teams to anomalies — preventing costly inspections.
Is customs automation hard to implement?
Not with Border Assistant. There are no integrations, no upfront costs, and no change management. Shippers simply copy an email address into their communication threads and start receiving visibility.
