The 2025 Forwarder/Broker Benchmark Study from Descartes indicates that volatility of US tariff policies is a major concern for forwarders and brokers, and they are actively pursuing solutions to mitigate tariff impacts for their customers.

“Forwarders and customs brokers aren’t sitting idle in the face of tariff uncertainty,” observes Glenn Palanacki, VP of Industry Solutions, Broker and Forwarder for Descartes Systems Group. “The most forward-thinking companies now view tariffs as dynamic cost variables, not fixed burdens. They’re strengthening compliance and product classification processes to minimize cost surprises and using data-driven tools to predict and act on changes faster.”

The survey found that forwarders and brokers regard regulatory compliance systems as a primary driver of IT value (31%) in 2025. In addition, forwarders and brokers see technology as the key to regulatory compliance — 62% of survey respondents and 89% of large companies consider technology “fundamental” or “highly important” to regulatory compliance.

Palanacki concludes, “By adopting a proactive approach, forwarders and brokers are turning tariff volatility into a competitive advantage helping their customers navigate uncertainty with greater stability, transparency, and control across global trade flows.”