#354 - Tariffs, Duty Drawbacks, and Building a Bulletproof Supply Chain Strategy feat. Justin Sherlock | DTC POD: How The Best Brands Are Built | Podwise
This episode explores the impact of escalating tariffs and duties on Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands, particularly those sourcing from China. Against the backdrop of recent tariff increases announced by Donald Trump, the discussion features Justin Sherlock, co-founder and CEO of Caspian, an AI-powered duty drawback platform. More significantly, the conversation delves into the complexities of customs brokerage, tariffs, and duty drawbacks, clarifying these terms and their implications for businesses importing and exporting goods. For instance, the impact of Trump's tariffs on China and the shift of manufacturing to Mexico and Southeast Asia are analyzed. As the discussion pivoted to duty drawbacks—tariff refunds for businesses selling internationally from US stock—Sherlock explained how Caspian helps brands access these refunds, often overlooked by smaller companies. In contrast to the challenges faced by brands with limited resources, Caspian's AI-driven platform streamlines the process, making duty drawback accessible to a wider range of businesses. What this means for DTC brands is a potential opportunity to offset rising costs and enhance competitiveness in international markets by leveraging duty drawback strategies.
