97% of Small Shippers Now Acting on Tariff Risk, Ditching Passive Approach

Key Details Small and midsize businesses have shifted dramatically from waiting out tariff uncertainty to actively restructuring their supply chains. A new Netstock survey shows 97% of SMBs are now deploying at least one mitigation strategy, up sharply from a cautious "wait-and-see" stance last year. Supply Chain Moves About 35% of SMBs changed suppliers in the past year, while nearly half now source from multiple regions. China remains the primary sourcing region for 74% of companies, but businesses are increasingly diversifying into Europe, Southeast Asia, and Mexico to reduce tariff exposure. Why It Matters The shift is fragmenting traditional freight flows and creating hybrid sourcing models where companies maintain legacy suppliers while adding secondary sources. This reshuffling could alter shipping lanes and create new routing opportunities for carriers working with evolving shipper networks. Planning Horizons Expand Nearly three-quarters of SMBs have extended their inventory planning horizons to anticipate cost swings and longer lead times. The move reflects growing reliance on data tools to navigate what executives call "structured volatility" - but introduces new inventory management risks. For Drivers These changes mean carriers should expect more complex pickup and delivery patterns as shippers diversify their sourcing and adjust stock levels across multiple suppliers and regions.