The End of “Set and Forget” for US Import Compliance

For businesses importing goods into the United States, compliance has traditionally been something to prepare for before a shipment leaves the warehouse.

But as US trade measures continue to change, businesses may need to think beyond a one-time customs check.

A recent change illustrates why.

On 18 September 2026, President Donald Trump signed legislation giving the US administration new authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from certain countries connected to Russian oil and gas purchases or sanctions evasion. The legislation requires tariffs to be imposed within 30 days in specified circumstances, although the countries and products that could ultimately be affected depend on how the law is implemented.

The development adds another layer of uncertainty for businesses involved in international trade.

Trade requirements can change after a product is already on the market

A business may have completed its initial compliance checks, classified its products and calculated its expected duties.

But that does not necessarily mean those calculations will remain unchanged.

Recent US trade developments have included changes to tariff rates, product exclusions and country-specific measures. CBP has also issued guidance on changes affecting Section 301 product exclusions and HTSUS classifications.

For importers, this means a product's compliance profile can change even when the product itself hasn't.

What should businesses be monitoring?

For global sellers, ongoing compliance may involve keeping track of several areas at once:

• Tariff rates and additional duties
• HTSUS classifications
• Country-of-origin requirements
• Tariff exclusions and amendments
• Importer of Record information
• Customs documentation
• Certificates and permits
• Product-specific regulations
• Intellectual property considerations

The challenge becomes particularly significant for businesses managing large product catalogues.

A change affecting one product category may require businesses to identify affected SKUs, review their classifications and determine whether their existing duty calculations or import processes need to be updated.

Why monitoring matters for ecommerce businesses

For an ecommerce business, changes in import requirements can have implications beyond customs clearance.

Changes to duties can affect landed costs and product margins. New requirements can affect whether products can be imported or sold. And incorrect or outdated information can create additional administrative work when shipments are being processed.

Recent tariff developments involving the US and China also demonstrate how quickly trade policy can evolve. Reuters reported this month that US and Chinese officials were discussing potential tariff reductions as part of broader trade negotiations, with an existing tariff truce also approaching its November expiration.

For businesses operating internationally, the practical challenge is keeping up with changes while continuing to manage day-to-day operations.

From one-time checks to continuous compliance

The changing trade environment is making a “set and forget” approach to import compliance increasingly difficult to maintain.

Instead, businesses can benefit from treating compliance as an ongoing process:

Assess → Monitor → Identify changes → Review affected products → Update → Repeat

This approach can help businesses identify changes that may require further review rather than relying on information collected when a product first entered the market.

How Gloco can help

Keeping track of regulatory changes across a large product catalogue can be difficult to manage manually.

Gloco is designed to help global sellers manage compliance through AI-assisted analysis and ongoing monitoring.

The platform can analyse product information for IP, licensing and tariff considerations, while supporting customs duty calculations and documentation.

Gloco also offers ongoing monitoring and weekly alerts for risk items and compliance deadlines, helping businesses stay informed as requirements change.

For global sellers, compliance is no longer simply about checking the rules before the first shipment.

As trade rules continue to evolve, keeping compliance information current can be just as important as getting it right in the first place.