4 Ways a Bonded Warehouse Helps Shippers Manage Tariff Risks

As tariff regulations shift and global trade faces fresh waves of uncertainty, shippers are under pressure to stay flexible without driving up costs. With duties in flux and congestion building at ports, doing nothing can be just as risky as moving too soon.

Now more than ever, importers need the ability to pause, reassess and protect their bottom line—and that starts with the right warehousing strategy.

Why Shippers Need Bonded Warehouse Access Now

A bonded warehouse allows importers to store goods without immediately paying duties, giving businesses more control over when and how they clear customs. In the current environment, that flexibility is a competitive advantage.

Here’s what shippers should be doing:

1. Defer Duties Without Disrupting Operations

Delaying customs clearance helps businesses avoid premature payments, especially when tariffs are uncertain. Bonded storage makes this possible without stopping the flow of goods.

2. Avoid Port Congestion and Excess Fees

Ports are crowded. Holding freight there too long racks up demurrage and detention fees. Moving cargo into inland bonded warehouses keeps goods accessible without costly delays.

3. Preserve Cash Flow and Working Capital

Delaying duty payments frees up cash for other areas of the business. Especially in volatile markets, capital flexibility matters.

4. Manage Compliance Proactively

Tariff changes often come with new regulatory requirements. A secure, compliant bonded warehouse helps mitigate the risk of costly compliance errors.

The Role of FTZ Warehouse Solutions in Strategic Supply Chain Planning

For importers needing even greater flexibility, FTZ warehouse options go a step further—offering long-term storage, value-added services and the ability to re-export without ever paying U.S. duties.

These facilities are ideal for:

• Hi-Tech: Holding high-value electronics until the market stabilizes
• Retail & Fashion: Delaying seasonal inventory until ready for release
• Automotive: Managing just-in-time parts for production schedules
• Pharma: Storing sensitive products while awaiting regulatory clearance
• Manufacturing: Supporting multi-origin supply chains with duty deferral

 
NTG Delivers the Bonded and Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Warehouse Support Shippers Need

At NTG, we’ve built a national network of bonded warehouse and FTZ warehouse solutions designed for moments like this. Whether you need temporary storage, long-term flexibility or full-service support, we’ve got you covered.

What we provide:

• Duty-deferred storage in bonded and FTZ warehouses across major port and inland hubs
• Drayage and transload services to keep freight moving efficiently
• Secure, compliant storage for high-value or regulated inventory
• Value-added services like kitting, labeling and quality checks

 
Where we operate: 

Stay Agile, Stay Compliant—with NTG

Tariff uncertainty won’t wait—and neither should your strategy. As more importers look to delay customs clearance, avoid demurrage and protect working capital, demand for bonded and FTZ warehouse space is surging across the country.

Shippers who secure capacity now will be better positioned to:

• Respond quickly to regulatory changes
• Avoid costly storage delays at port
• Preserve capital while staying compliant
• Keep goods accessible and market-ready

NTG is ready to help you act fast and stay flexible. Our nationwide network of bonded and FTZ warehousing solutions is built for this moment—backed by secure facilities, value-added services and logistics expertise.

Contact NTG today to secure space and start building your bonded or FTZ warehouse strategy.

Michael McLary

Executive Vice President, SMB Brokerage

Michael leads the SMB and LTL Brokerage team at NTG, where he brings three decades of experience driving growth across complex, fast-moving businesses. With a track record of scaling businesses and leading transformation efforts at companies like Amazon, UPS and Ascend, Michael focuses on building durable customer relationships, developing talent and driving operational efficiency through smart process design and the strategic use of technology.