US Air Forwarders Face Volume Drops, Rising Complexity From Tariffs

US freight forwarders are experiencing a pronounced contraction in air cargo volumes while simultaneously managing heightened operational complexity driven by tariff policy uncertainty. The dual challenge of reduced demand coupled with increased routing and compliance requirements is forcing forwarders to recalibrate their capacity planning and client management strategies. This trend reflects broader shifts in how tariff regimes are reshaping import/export flows and forcing supply chain professionals to adopt more dynamic pricing and routing strategies.

The volume decline suggests that shippers are either deferring imports, shifting to alternative transportation modes, or consolidating shipments differently in response to cost pressures created by tariffs. Simultaneously, the rise in complexity indicates that tariff classifications, rules of origin verification, and regulatory documentation requirements are consuming more resources per shipment, effectively reducing operational efficiency even on the shipments that do move. For supply chain leaders, this represents a critical juncture where cost optimization alone is insufficient, companies must invest in tariff intelligence, compliance automation, and multi-modal logistics flexibility to remain competitive.

The trend also signals potential supply chain restructuring as companies reconsider sourcing locations and transportation networks to mitigate tariff exposure.