For many importers, January feels like a reset button. New budgets, new forecasts, and new plans for the year ahead. When it comes to tariffs and customs compliance, though, waiting until January is often too late. For Houston importers especially, December is when real preparation needs to happen.
Each year, changes to tariff classifications, duty rates, and enforcement priorities take effect at the start of the new year. What many businesses overlook is that the groundwork for those changes happens weeks earlier. Decisions made in December directly affect how smoothly shipments move in January, how much duty is paid, and whether entries clear without issue.
At Hawthorne Global Logistics, December is not a slowdown. It is an opportunity to get ahead of the curve. This is the month to review, adjust, and prepare so freight does not get caught in avoidable delays or unexpected costs once the calendar flips.
Why December Is the Most Overlooked Month in Customs Planning
December can be misleading. Shipping volume may ease slightly after the holiday rush, and many teams focus on closing out the year rather than planning ahead. At the same time, customs agencies continue operating, tariff schedules are finalized, and compliance expectations remain unchanged.
Houston importers often assume tariff changes can be addressed once January arrives. The challenge is that customs does not pause enforcement while businesses catch up. If a classification changes on January 1 and an entry is filed incorrectly on January 2, the consequences still apply.
December acts as a buffer. It is the window where issues can be identified and resolved calmly rather than under pressure while shipments are already moving.
What Typically Changes at the Start of the Year
Updates to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule
The U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule is updated annually, with changes taking effect on January 1. While some updates are minor, others affect duty rates, product descriptions, or classification notes that change how goods must be entered. Even small adjustments can impact landed cost when applied across repeated shipments.
Increased Focus on Classification Accuracy
Customs enforcement does not ease at the beginning of the year. In many cases, scrutiny increases as agencies review compliance trends from the prior year. Importers entering goods under outdated or incorrect classifications may face questions or delays early in Q1.
Carryover of Year-End Backlogs
Shipments that do not clear before year-end often roll into January. Customs offices then process new entries alongside unresolved December freight. If documentation or classification issues exist, resolution can take longer during this overlap.
Why Houston Importers Feel the Impact More
Houston is one of the most active logistics hubs in the country. High import volume means small issues can quickly turn into bottlenecks. When January begins with updated tariffs and lingering congestion, even organized operations feel the pressure.
For Houston-based importers, delays extend beyond customs clearance. Trucking schedules, warehouse availability, delivery timelines, and customer commitments all depend on freight clearing on time. When a shipment stalls at the port, the disruption travels through the entire supply chain.
What Importers Should Be Reviewing Before Year-End
December is the right time to step back and evaluate how imports are positioned for the new year. The most effective reviews focus on fundamentals rather than reacting to headlines.
- Verify current HTS classifications against upcoming tariff updates
- Review product descriptions for consistency across all documents
- Confirm country-of-origin determinations, especially for complex sourcing
- Identify products with higher duty exposure or inspection risk
- Address recurring issues from Q4 entries before they repeat in Q1
This approach helps eliminate surprises and gives importers confidence heading into January.
How Hawthorne Global Logistics Helps Importers Prepare
Proactive Classification and Compliance Review
Instead of waiting for January entries to expose problems, we work with importers in December to review classifications and documentation. This allows potential issues to be identified and corrected before shipments arrive.
Clear Guidance on Landed Cost Impact
Tariff changes often affect margins quietly. A small duty increase may seem insignificant until it applies across multiple shipments. We help importers understand how changes may impact landed cost and what options exist to manage that exposure.
Reducing the Risk of January Delays
Entries prepared correctly from day one clear faster. Addressing compliance issues ahead of time reduces the likelihood of holds, document requests, or post-entry corrections during the busiest weeks of the new year.
Houston-Specific Experience
Local volume, port conditions, and regional carrier constraints all matter. Our experience with Houston-area imports allows us to anticipate challenges that out-of-market providers often miss, especially during year-end transitions.
What Happens When Importers Wait Too Long
Importers who delay preparation often face the same pattern every January. Shipments arrive under outdated classifications. Duties are higher than expected. Customs requests additional documentation. Freight sits while issues are corrected.
These delays cost more than time. Storage fees, demurrage, missed delivery windows, and internal disruption add up quickly. Starting the year reacting to problems puts businesses on the defensive before Q1 even gains momentum.
December Is About Control, Not Urgency
The goal is not panic. It is control. December provides space to make thoughtful adjustments. Instead of scrambling in January, importers can start the year confident that their shipments align with current regulations and expectations.
At Hawthorne Global Logistics, we believe the strongest customs strategies are proactive. December is where that strategy is built.
Your Next Step: Start the New Year Without Surprises
January tariff changes do not begin in January. They begin with decisions made in December. Taking time now to review classifications, documentation, and compliance reduces risk and keeps freight moving smoothly into the new year. If you want help preparing your imports for January and beyond, Hawthorne Global Logistics is ready to guide you.
Contact Hawthorne Global Logistics at 866-525-7214
