How tariffs, automation, and supply chain planning are shaping a year of stabilization
After a turbulent 2025 marked by fluctuating freight volumes, shifting global priorities, and ongoing cost pressures, there is growing hope that 2026 will bring a more measured pace. While challenges remain, the logistics and customs landscape may begin to move toward greater stability after a year of disruption.
At Willson International, we view 2026 as an opportunity for strategic recalibration rather than constant crisis response. Importers, exporters, and supply chain leaders are preparing for a new phase—one where preparation, technology, and informed decision-making will help separate those who thrive from those who merely adapt.
Below are the key themes shaping 2026 trade and logistics:
1. Tariff Resilience
Tariffs continue to evolve across U.S. and Canadian trade policy, extending their influence globally. But unlike recent years, where uncertainty dictated supply chain choices, 2026 presents the opportunity for businesses to build tariff-resilient strategies instead of reactive ones.
For importers, the goal is no longer just understanding tariff obligations, it’s about optimizing around them, leveraging trade programs, origin diversification, and proactive customs planning. With our long history in both customs brokerage and logistics, Willson International is uniquely positioned to guide clients through these shifts and help them identify opportunities hidden within the complexity.
2. A Return to Stability
While tariffs may normalize in the 10–15% range, the true story is the emerging consistency that allows companies to plan with confidence again. Stability enables organizations to:
- Realign their freight forwarding strategies
- Rebuild global partnerships
- Forecast with far more reliability
- Optimize routing and inventory management
In 2026, stability won’t mean stagnation, it will mean clarity, and clarity leads to better movement of goods worldwide.
3. Preparation for the Next Wave
2025 brought slower-than-expected activity, including an unusually soft peak season. But cycles always turn. In 2026, we anticipate:
- Higher global shipping volumes
- Renewed import momentum
- Opportunities linked to recent de minimis changes
- A more competitive landscape for capacity and routing
Smart importers are using the early months of 2026 to prepare, evaluating classifications, reviewing trade compliance, and strengthening their logistics playbook before volume accelerates.
4. Automation & Visibility Take Center Stage
Automation is no longer a future goal, it’s the defining characteristic of modern logistics providers. The focus for 2026 trade and logistics is integration and real-time visibility, supported by platforms and partners who enable:
- End-to-end shipment transparency
- Automated customs workflows
- Faster, cleaner data exchange
- Predictive exceptions management
Companies are seeking tech-forward partners who do more than move freight, they help manage the information behind it.
5. Decisive Supply Chain Planning
After a year of hesitation and slow movement, 2026 is shaping up to be a year in which companies make clear, strategic supply chain decisions. With economic activity picking up and trade flows expected to rise, organizations are shifting from “wait and see” to:
- Committing to new trade lanes
- Re-evaluating North American distribution footprints
- Locking in long-term logistics partnerships
- Creating more disciplined timelines and forecasts
Decision-making is back, and better informed than ever.
6. Pricing: Smart Logistics Saves Money
The financial strain of 2025 has reshaped how importers evaluate their logistics spend. The focus for 2026 trade and logistics is not just price, it’s value, consistency, and risk reduction.
Working with an experienced 3PL and customs broker means access to:
- Strategic routing
- Capacity stability
- Cost-saving compliance insights
- Smarter global planning
The companies that win this year will be the ones who view logistics not as a cost center, but as a strategic advantage.
Looking Ahead
The global supply chain is entering a new phase, one where stability, preparedness, and innovation will define success. At Willson International, our role is to help clients navigate this landscape with confidence, backed by decades of experience in customs brokerage, freight forwarding, and strategic trade planning.
2026 isn’t a year to brace for impact. It’s a year to build for the future.
If you’d like help preparing your logistics and customs strategy for the year ahead, our team is here to support you.