Not Our Scheduled Newsletter—But This Could Save Your Margins

Hey there,

This isn’t our usual newsletter.
I had to pause everything we had lined up to send this one right away.

Because the weekly changes and escalating announcements around tariffs on Chinese imports are more than a ripple—they’re a full-on wave that could crash right into your COGS and margins.

We’ve already received a flurry of calls from clients in panic.
And I get it. Even if just 10% of your goods are China-sourced, this tariff can completely blow up your profitability.

So I put together a 10-Step Emergency Response Plan we’re using with clients at Move Supply Chain. It’s fast. It’s tactical. And it’ll help you act before this becomes a bigger problem than it already is.

🔟 Steps to Navigate the 104% (or whatever % it lands on next) China Tariff

Without Losing Your Mind or Your Margins

1. Prioritize your SKUs.
Not everything needs the same treatment. Group your China-sourced products into:

• High-margin, must-keep
  

• Replaceable with some effort
  

• Replaceable ASAP

This will help you decide what needs alternative sourcing or tighter project monitoring first.

2. Renegotiate with your Chinese suppliers—today.
Before looking elsewhere, talk to your current vendors. Ask for:

• Lower pricing
  

• Shared tariff burden
  

• Extended payment terms

Most brands don’t ask. You should. Your supplier might surprise you.

3. Cut costs in freight and fulfillment.

• Rebid shipping contracts. 

• Consolidate containers.

• Review carton packaging, stacking heights, and even bin sizes in your 3PL. 

Small tweaks can save big. These savings can help offset the tariff hit.

4. Get crystal clear on landed cost.
Break down your true cost per unit:

Product + Shipping + Tariff + 3PL + Packaging
This is your actual margin target—and your lever for savings.

5. Explore near-China options—but move smart.
Vietnam, India, and Bangladesh all offer potential—but don’t jump in blind.
Run samples, small batch trials, and supplier checks first. 

🟡 Pro Tip: Start steps 1–4 at the same time as you explore alternatives. These parallel actions are what drive results faster.

6. Look into tariff engineering (yes, that’s a thing).
Sometimes, minor changes in product or packaging can change your HS code and reduce duties.

Check with your customs broker or trade consultant now.

7. Use parallel sourcing—not a full switch.
Keep China production running while testing new vendors.
Avoid a supply gap. Phase it out properly.

8. Recalculate margins and rethink pricing.
📝 Ask yourself:

• Can you raise prices slightly?
  

• Can you offer bundles or subscriptions?
  

• Can you adjust promos to protect AOV?

Rebuild margin with intention—not panic.

9. Align your internal team, fast.
Get everyone on the same page—Supply chain ops, finance, CX, and marketing.
If there’s a pricing shift, your messaging needs to be tight and clear.

10. Call in backup.
If you're short on bandwidth, bring in support.

We created a $1,500, 4-week Sourcing Optimization Trial for brands who need immediate help.

✅ Includes:

• 3 pre-vetted vendor alternatives
  

• A sourcing audit
  

• Practical savings recommendations

No long-term lock-in. Just fast support.
👉 Book here to get started, or reply with “TARIFF” and I’ll send you the full details.

This is not the time to wait and see.
Even brands with strong vendor relationships are already feeling the pressure.

If you want to get ahead of this before your next PO cycle, act now.

This was an emergency send—and I hope it reaches the right people fast.

Stay sharp,
— Lara
CEO & Supply Chain Partner
Move Supply Chain

🚛 Get expert supply chain support | 💼 Tap into a global talent pool | 🎙️ Tune in to my podcast

P.S. We’ll be releasing a full workshop + templates soon. But this email? This is the prep work you need right now. Just reply if you want in.