Introduction: Effective trade management requires flexibility
Global trade management regulations are a constantly moving target. Supply chains span international boundaries, and every decision on classification or tariff optimization includes potential compliance risk. The challenges of navigating this complex environment are further compounded by an intricate array of sanctions regimes, customs regulations, and trade agreements, all of which make manual compliance extremely difficult. Getting Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes right, for example, is only half the battle—the other half is ensuring you’re not overpaying on duties, missing opportunities for tariff relief, or exposing your organization to unnecessary sanctions.
Recent tariff decisions by the Trump administration have raised the effective average tariff rate from 2.5% in 2024 to 13.8% in 2025, the highest average level since 1939. China and many other nations have wasted little time in preparing responses of their own, not only in higher tariffs rates but also more complex regulations governing those rates.
In a trade environment as complex and fast-changing as the current one, the ability to quickly and flexibly adapt to changes is key to commercial success. Failure to effectively and accurately adapt to these changes can result in not only financial penalties, but delivery delays, reputational damage and potentially increased scrutiny from regulatory authorities. Avathon’s Autonomy Platform for Global Trade Management transforms these challenges into competitive advantages: accurate classifications, built-in audit trails, and proactive duty optimization—all delivered at scale.
Avathon Autonomy Platform—Ensuring compliance in a rapidly-changing world
The key differentiator with Avathon’s Autonomy Platform is the ability to fully span the supply chain lifecycle—from classification and tariff optimization to supplier collaboration and sourcing execution. The Autonomy Platform fuses diverse data sources, orchestrates workflows, and adapts dynamically to changes—turning supply chains into resilient processes. Global trade management is key to effective supply chain operations and Avathon’s approach solves the toughest challenges in global trade, e.g., classification, country-of-origin identification, and tariff optimization, all in a fraction of the time, and with far greater accuracy, than manual rules-based processes.
Avathon’s Autonomy Platform for Global Trade Management includes numerous features that ensure the accuracy and timeliness of your trade compliance program.
- Automate with accuracy
Manual classification slows global trade processes and frequently leads to errors. Avathon’s AI-powered platform analyzes item descriptions, technical specifications, and even BOM details to assign Harmonized Trade Schedule (HTS) codes with precision. By combining data-driven reasoning with industry rulings and precedents, the system provides classifications you can trust at scale, freeing your teams from repetitive work and reducing costly mistakes.
- Save on duty costs
Compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties; it’s also about optimizing costs. The Avathon Platform continuously checks for tariff engineering opportunities, alternative headings, and special program eligibility such as free trade agreements. By identifying these opportunities before goods are shipped, the platform enables you to minimize delivered costs while still ensuring full compliance with regulations.
- Determine country of origin
Accurately determining country of origin is one of the most challenging aspects of global trade—particularly with multi-tier supply chains and frequent supplier changes. Avathon’s platform automates origin determination by analyzing BOM structures, component sourcing, and manufacturing steps against jurisdictional rules. The platform continuously rechecks whenever suppliers, materials, or processes change, ensuring that you maintain preferential treatment under trade agreements.
- Adapt to change
Tariff codes, duty rates, and rulings aren’t static—and neither should your tools be. Avathon continuously monitors regulatory updates and automatically reevaluates your portfolio whenever changes occur. Impacted items are flagged with clear next steps, so you can stay ahead of compliance risks and duty exposure without having to manually track shifting rules across markets.
- Stay audit-ready
Every recommendation or action taken by the Avathon Autonomy Platform features built-in transparency. Instead of relying on memory, spreadsheets, or disconnected notes, you receive a complete description of how and why a code was assigned or country of origin identified. Evidence sources, confidence levels, and human overrides are all captured in an immutable record. When audits arrive—whether internal, broker-led, or regulatory—your team is positioned to respond in minutes rather than days or weeks.
Avathon Autonomy Platform Process Flow
Conclusion—Effective global trade management equals commercial success
The rapidly shifting regulatory and operational demands of global trade management ensure that managers and executives will be continuously challenged to deliver world-beating performance results. But while politics and regulations change, the goals of supply chain management do not; products must be delivered on time, in the required quantities, and at the expected cost. Avathon Autonomy for Global Trade Management delivers on these unflinching demands.
Learn more about how Avathon Autonomy for Global Trade Management can improve your organization’s performance and lead to greater reliability and profitability.
Click here to download our white paper A Blueprint for Optimizing Global Trade Management Performance.
