Addressing Tariff Evasion Enforcement and Manufacturing Downturn in 2025

Kelsea Ansfield
3 minutes ago
2 min read

The global trade landscape is undergoing significant shifts, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intensifying its crackdown on tariff evasion. Coupled with ongoing contraction in the U.S. manufacturing sector, businesses face a complex environment that demands strategic adaptation. At Gain Consulting, we are committed to helping companies navigate these challenges through robust compliance strategies and supply chain optimization.

CBP’s Aggressive Stance on Tariff Evasion

Recent months have seen CBP escalate its efforts to combat tariff evasion, particularly targeting shell companies and transshipment schemes that disguise Chinese exports routed through third countries. As reported by Oxford Analytica in the Dow Jones Risk Journal, this shift toward aggressive trade enforcement integrates civil and criminal tools, with the added threat of tariffs on companies and countries facilitating evasion.

CBP is moving beyond traditional methods like desk audits and container checks at U.S. ports.

The agency is now prioritizing:

Overseas investigations to uncover opaque supply chain intermediaries.
Rigorous scrutiny of import documentation to detect discrepancies.
Increased collaboration with foreign governments to tackle evasion at its source.
Expansion of enforcement across additional sectors.

While these measures aim to close loopholes in global supply chains, challenges persist. The willingness of foreign governments to address domestic evasion remains uncertain, and it’s unclear whether U.S. bureaucracy can keep pace with evolving evasion techniques. For businesses, this underscores the need for transparent supply chains and proactive compliance measures to mitigate risks of penalties and disruptions.

Manufacturing Sector Struggles Persist

Adding to the complexity, the U.S. manufacturing sector contracted for the sixth consecutive month in August 2025, according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing PMI Report. Jeff Berman, writing for Logistics Management on September 2, 2025, notes that 89% of panelist comments reflect negative sentiment regarding tariffs. Despite some industries seeing a flow of orders due to low customer inventories, optimism for sustained recovery is limited. Berman suggests a potential uptick in production next month but cautions that “there is nothing I see that indicates it is going to sustain.”

This prolonged contraction, combined with tariff-related concerns, highlights the need for manufacturers to optimize operations, manage inventory levels effectively, and prepare for ongoing economic uncertainty.

How Gain Consulting Can Help

At Gain Consulting, we understand the dual pressures of heightened trade enforcement and manufacturing challenges. Our team offers tailored solutions to help businesses:

Strengthen supply chain transparency to comply with CBP’s rigorous documentation and investigation standards.
Mitigate tariff risks by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in global supply chains.
Optimize operations to navigate manufacturing contraction and inventory challenges.
Stay ahead of regulatory changes through proactive compliance strategies and real-time insights.

As CBP ramps up enforcement and economic pressures persist, partnering with Gain Consulting ensures your business is equipped to thrive in this dynamic environment.

For more insights on manufacturing trends, refer to the Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing PMI Report.