A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has launched “Maersk Trade & Tariff Studio”, a new digital solution designed to help global cargo owners regain control in an increasingly volatile trade environment.
As global trade faces a paradigm shift marked by rising tariffs, regulatory scrutiny, and disrupted customs processes, the new platform by Maersk aims to provide a centralised, AI-powered approach to customs and tariff management.
“For decades, global trade benefited from declining tariffs and fewer barriers. But for now, that has been put on hold,” said Lars Karlsson, Global Head of Trade & Customs Consulting at Maersk.
“Today’s environment is defined by unpredictability, with newly imposed and suddenly postponed tariffs creating what many of our customers describe as ‘tariff chaos’. Maersk Trade & Tariff Studio is our answer to this challenge, bringing clarity, compliance, agility and cost optimisation to global supply chains when goods are crossing borders.”
After comprehensive pilots with large customers, the solution will be available as of 28 June for cargo imported into the US. The full roll-out covering the rest of the world is scheduled for August.
It is designed for use either as a component of Maersk’s broader logistics offerings or as a standalone service.
Many companies operating globally still work with numerous local customs brokers, often resulting in inconsistent data, limited visibility, and missed opportunities for cost savings. Maersk argues that this fragmented approach is increasingly problematic as tariffs become more dynamic.
Maersk data shows that:
- 5–6 per cent of tariffs are overpaid on average due to a lack of centralised data and optimisation.
- 20 per cent of shipment delays are caused by poor customs preparation.
- Only 50-55 per cent of trade that is eligible for existing Free Trade Agreements (FTA) uses the respective FTAs. More than 650 FTAs exist, but they are complex and companies often don’t have the resources to fully understand all applying details at the origin and destination. Hence, many owners of global supply chains are leaving significant savings untapped.
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The Trade & Tariff Studio aims to centralise and automate key aspects of trade compliance, including:
- AI-powered tariff engineering and optimisation, ensuring the correct application of over 6,000 product codes and 20,000+ sub-codes.
- Upstream compliance risk screening helps customers avoid delays, detentions, and penalties.
- Real-time updates from data partners, as well as Maersk’s network of 2,700 customs experts across the globe, all feed tariff and regulation changes into a unified system.
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The platform also allows for integration with existing local brokers while maintaining a consolidated view of global customs activity.
Another challenge is that companies must comply with a growing number of complex regulations, from product safety and labour standards to upcoming environmental mandates such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and deforestation regulations.
Maersk says its platform is designed to help customers manage these evolving compliance risks.
