Borderlands Mexico: Flexport cautions importers that tariff concerns will remain prominent in 2026

Borderlands Mexico: Weekly Cross-Border Trade Update

Borderlands Mexico delivers a weekly summary of key events shaping U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. In this edition: Flexport cautions importers about ongoing tariff uncertainty into 2026, Echo Global Logistics debuts EchoXBorder, and LS Cable & System USA unveils a new logistics hub near Port Houston.

Flexport: Tariff Uncertainty Expected to Persist Through 2026

Flexport, a global logistics company, anticipates that unpredictability in trade policy will continue into 2026. The company advises importers not to assume that high-profile tariff announcements will always translate into actual increased costs.

During a recent “Tariff Trends 2026” webinar, Flexport leaders noted that the Trump administration has often introduced bold tariff proposals, only to later implement delays, exemptions, or carve-outs that lessen their real-world impact on supply chains and consumer prices.

Marcus Eeman, Flexport’s customs director, remarked, “Tariffs are likely to remain, but their implementation may be more measured than the administration’s rhetoric suggests.”

Flexport pointed to several 2025 cases where planned tariff hikes were postponed or reduced, such as delayed Section 232 tariffs on furniture, broadened exemptions under reciprocal tariffs, and significant cuts to anti-dumping duties on Italian pasta.

Eeman emphasized that recent trade policy decisions are increasingly influenced by concerns over essential goods like food, energy, housing, and healthcare—areas he described as politically sensitive for the administration.

He explained, “No one wants to see staple foods suddenly become more expensive for American families. For example, Section 301 tariffs on Chinese semiconductors were set to rise above 50%, but the administration postponed those tariffs for 18 months.”

This cautious approach is also evident in North American trade. Flexport reports that, as of late summer, about 85% of U.S. imports from Mexico and Canada entered duty-free under USMCA, though customs audits on these claims have become more rigorous.

A major concern for 2026 is the Supreme Court’s pending decision on tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Last Friday, the Supreme Court delayed its ruling on whether former President Trump exceeded his authority by using IEEPA to impose broad tariffs on over 90 trading partners worldwide.

Jenn Park, Flexport’s trade advisory director, outlined possible outcomes ranging from full approval of the tariffs to retroactive refunds for importers.

Park advised, “If retroactive relief is granted, importers must be ready before the decision is issued.”

Flexport recommends that businesses identify entries affected by IEEPA, track liquidation deadlines, and verify the accuracy of their entry data, warning that missed deadlines could forfeit refund opportunities permanently.

Even if some tariffs are overturned, Flexport notes that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is ramping up enforcement. CBP has expanded its auditing team and is scrutinizing valuation, tariff stacking, and USMCA claims more closely.

Eeman also warned against using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) terms to avoid tariffs, stating, “DDP only results in savings if something improper is occurring,” and highlighting that undervaluation and misclassification are now top enforcement priorities.

Both Eeman and Park expect tariffs to remain a key trade instrument in 2026, even if IEEPA powers are restricted, as other authorities like Sections 232 and 301 will still be available.

Their advice for importers: brace for ongoing volatility, stricter compliance checks, and fewer loopholes.

Eeman concluded, “Tariffs are here to stay. Importers should also anticipate increased CBP enforcement, as more auditors have been hired at every port of entry.”

Echo Global Logistics Introduces EchoXBorder

Echo Global Logistics has rolled out EchoXBorder, a new customs brokerage service tailored for freight moving between the U.S. and Mexico.

This launch builds on Echo’s decade-long cross-border experience and recent expansion in Mexico, with new offices in Mexico City and Monterrey. EchoXBorder integrates customs brokerage with Echo’s freight network, providing clearance at major land, air, and sea ports in both countries.

The platform is designed to minimize delays and enhance shipment visibility for shippers navigating increasingly complex trade and compliance rules. Services include border consolidation and deconsolidation, inventory management, and comprehensive customs and freight oversight, all supported by bilingual compliance experts and real-time tracking.

Echo Global Logistics, headquartered in Chicago, operates cross-border facilities in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, as well as a key location in Laredo, Texas.

LS Cable & System USA Opens New Logistics Center Near Houston

LS Cable & System USA has inaugurated a logistics hub in La Porte, Texas, near Houston, expanding its U.S. distribution network to meet growing demand for high-capacity electrical infrastructure.

Located within the Port Crossing Commerce Center near Port Houston, the new facility is intended to boost distribution capabilities and reduce lead times for LS Cable’s expanding bus duct business, which serves data centers, industrial sites, and large commercial projects.

Company leaders stated that the site’s proximity to major transportation routes and port facilities will enhance inventory management and customer service, especially as demand surges due to the growth of data centers driven by artificial intelligence and cloud computing.