With U.S. tariffs now in effect, many ecommerce brands are beginning to feel the strain across their supply chains. Increased costs, delayed shipments, and limited inventory are quickly becoming the norm for businesses sourcing merchandise from overseas.

These tariffs appear here to stay—and retailers may be just weeks away from running out of stock. According to the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, businesses could have as little as 7 weeks of inventory left due to the sharp decline in incoming cargo.

Now more than ever, strategically planning your next move is essential to fuel growth and stay resilient through ongoing supply chain uncertainty.

What Tariffs Mean for Inventory Planning

For ecommerce brands, tariffs are more than a mere trade discussion, they are a key factor significantly impacting all aspects of growth. In a recent study run by Clearco, nearly 80% of US ecommerce leaders stated that tariffs are a moderate to major concern for their business. Brands that rely on cross–border supply chains are seeing first hand how these imposed tariffs are causing a ripple effect across their organization.

From supply chain disruptions, to increased costs of goods, and further strains on cash flows, the financial and inventory management effects are strong.  As ecommerce brands gear up for seasonal campaigns, many will face uncertainty revolving around pricing and timing of shipments coming from countries outside of the U.S. These delays hold the possibility of stalling production, impacting inventory stocking, and leading to paused marketing campaigns and efforts.  

The Certainty of Uncertainty

Why Proactive Supply Chain Planning Is Your Best Defense

To maintain momentum and fuel growth, brands must adopt a proactive rather than reactive mindset to best prepare and position themselves for supply chain uncertainty. This means placing adequate inventory orders, reevaluating sourcing strategies, strengthening supplier relationships, and more to stay agile in today’s ever shifting global trade landscape.

Secure Funding for Larger Orders Before Costs Rise

Since the imposed tariffs, brands who rely on cross-border supply chains for their merchandising can expect to see rising prices for their regularly sourced goods. For many growing brands, this can lead to tighter cash flow in order to maintain their operations with each imported shipment, creating financial strain that can threaten their momentum. 

In light of this, leveraging flexible funding solutions can provide a critical buffer, giving brands a way to manage the unpredictable rising costs and continue to scale with confidence. Working capital partners like Clearco give ecommerce brands access to fast funding to place larger or earlier orders at once to avoid getting priced out by tariffs or caught in the vicious cycle of longer lead times. 

To mitigate the impact of future pricing changes and longer lead times, brands may also consider locking in longer-term pricing contracts or even purchasing a surplus inventory of essential items to ensure cost stability and assure inventory is stocked for the future

Rethink Sourcing: Explore Local and Nearshore Alternatives

Overseas Sourcing Is No Longer the Cheapest Route

With increased logistic challenges and shipment uncertainty, brands with global manufacturing partners may start to experience longer fulfillment times. The flow of imported cargo to the port of LA is expected to drop 35%, leaving brands with lower inventory and in need of sourcing alternative suppliers. 

Since tariff implementations, sourcing from overseas is no longer the cost saver it once was, and brands may now benefit from switching to local suppliers and manufacturers. By partnering with U.S. suppliers and bringing production closer to home with nearshoring, brands can save on production through lower transportation costs, better quality control, shorter lead times, and more stability. 

Partners like Cavela, an AI-driven product-sourcing platform, are connecting ecommerce brands with top-tier manufacturers worldwide, empowering brands to source smarter. With access to a broad network of over 200,000+ manufacturers, Cavela bridges the gap between merchants and local suppliers, all while aiding in quality assurance checks and negotiations, saving brands up to 37% lower production costs on average. 

It’s never too early to start exploring your options to maintain business momentum, and evaluating alternative nearshore manufacturers is a smart move, even if current suppliers remain reliable.

Stay Informed with Trusted Industry Resources

As the international trade war continues, keeping up with evolving trade policies can be a challenge. For ecommerce brands, understanding how these shifts directly impact their operations is essential. Staying informed through global updates and trusted industry resources is key to navigating this uncertainty and stabilizing your business's growth. 

To help brands stay ahead, industry leaders like Clearco are taking the lead in delivering actionable insights and key learnings. 

In partnership with Cavela, Clearco hosted a live webinar on May 8, 2025, titled Let’s Talk Tariffs | Webinar for DTC Ecommerce. This session featured real-world examples of how ecommerce brands are adapting to the rising tariff costs and shifting supply dynamics.

By staying informed with reliable resources, brands are empowered to make proactive decisions, and stay agile in the competitive landscape.

Stay Funded, Stay Focused, Stay in Business

There’s no denying it, the data has spoken: shipping and logistics activity is drastically declining, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming month as a result of recent tariffs. As a key indicator of global supply chain health, this drop signals a significant shift. Southern California ports in particular have seen an increase in empty containerships, with China-to-U.S. imports falling by 60% since early April, depicting the real and immediate impact of changing trade dynamics. 

As brands brace for the ripple effects of newly imposed tariffs, such as supply chain disruptions and rising costs, it’s critical to act now and strategically plan for the future. Forward-thinking ecommerce brands should begin to plan, fund, and pivot their approaches by reassessing their sourcing strategies, leveraging flexible funding, and exploring alternative or local manufacturing options to stay consistent. 

Whether you're looking to place a larger inventory order, explore new suppliers, or bridge a cash flow gap during uncertain times, Clearco’s funding solutions can provide the support your brand needs to grow confidently amid economic fluctuations.