Tariffs aren’t new. But the scale and unpredictability of recent trade policy shifts are making it harder than ever for freight forwarders to plan ahead, especially when it comes to hiring. With confirmed US tariffs now live and further retaliatory measures expected, many are rethinking everything from cost structures to workforce plans. Recruitment is feeling the pressure.
Whether it’s a sudden drop in container volumes from China, a surge in domestic freight activity, or reshoring that’s reshaping regional supply chains, tariff-driven volatility is already changing how freight forwarders hire. And with no clear long-term roadmap in place, the real challenge isn’t just reacting to what’s happening now. It’s building a team that can adapt as trade policy continues to shift.
In this blog, we break down how policy uncertainty is affecting freight recruitment, what operational teams should prepare for, and how businesses can protect their hiring strategy.
Tariffs are Already Reshaping Freight Hiring
Trade policy has always influenced how freight forwarders operate, but 2025 is bringing a new level of disruption. The confirmed US tariffs announced in April have already driven up costs, shifted sourcing decisions, and triggered major changes in freight volumes. A 10% baseline tariff now applies to all imports, with reciprocal tariffs set at 34% for China, 46% for Vietnam, 20% for the EU, and 10% for the UK. Automotive imports are under separate measures, facing a 25% tariff on all cars and parts.
For freight forwarders, this is not just about managing costs. It is about navigating a series of overlapping policy changes that are making it harder to plan, hire, and deliver. Trade routes are changing. Manufacturing patterns are shifting. Customs processes are tightening. And teams across customs, operations, and transport are feeling the impact.
Recruitment strategies are already shifting as a result:
- Delays in permanent hiring decisions while trade conditions remain unpredictable
- Greater reliance on contract and temporary roles, especially in compliance-heavy areas
- Slower recruitment in ocean freight operations linked to high-tariff regions
- Increased demand for domestic transport and warehousing staff
- More focus on hiring planners who can manage changing supply chain routes
Tariffs are only part of the challenge
Freight volumes surged in Q1 as companies moved early to avoid cost increases, but Q2 is already quieter. The bigger concern is what comes next. Policy remains unstable, and freight forwarders are finding it harder to build out hiring plans that look beyond the next few months.
The latest tariffs may be confirmed, but the risk of retaliation from other countries is still looming. Forwarders working in export-heavy sectors are already reconsidering their hiring needs in case further restrictions take hold.
Compliance and customs recruitment is rising
Freight forwarders are also feeling the pressure from tighter customs enforcement. The risk of delays and penalties has increased. That is pushing more businesses to hire customs brokers, trade compliance specialists, and documentation staff who can help avoid costly errors. This is especially important for smaller forwarders who are managing high volumes with leaner teams.
Domestic freight is creating new hiring needs
Reshoring incentives across the US are contributing to a shift in how freight is moved. As more businesses build domestic production hubs, the demand for regional distribution is rising. That is leading to more hiring in warehouse operations, inland transport, and planning functions that support domestic supply chains.
Freight recruitment is now shaped by policy
It is no longer just about capacity or cost. Freight recruitment is increasingly shaped by what is happening in government. Visa delays, trade restrictions, and regional rules are all changing the type of people businesses need. And with less time to plan, many freight forwarders are adjusting their workforce models to stay responsive.
The Hiring Impact of Sudden Tariff Changes
Freight forwarders are used to adjusting plans. But in 2025, the pace of trade and policy changes is forcing companies to rethink their entire approach to recruitment. Confirmed tariffs, paused tariffs, and shifting regulations are all making it harder to plan ahead with confidence.
Earlier in the year, many freight forwarding & logistics companies were recruiting steadily across operations, planning, and compliance. Now, hiring is happening in shorter cycles. Some roles are being delayed. Others are being filled temporarily. And teams are focusing more on immediate capacity than long-term growth.
One of the biggest challenges isn’t the tariffs themselves, but the unpredictability around them. Freight forwarders do not know how long current measures will stay in place, whether they will expand, or how trade partners might respond. That uncertainty is what is slowing hiring. Long-term workforce planning becomes harder when the rules of trade can shift within a matter of days.
The impact of policy changes is showing up across key hiring areas:
- Operations recruitment has slowed in export-heavy teams, especially where volume forecasting is unclear
- Customs and compliance roles are still being filled, often through short-term contracts that allow flexibility
- Supply chain recruitment is focused on staff with experience managing route changes and trade disruption
- Transport recruitment is becoming more reactive, driven by shifting client demand and new freight lanes
- Sales and client-facing roles are being kept lean while businesses watch for knock-on effects in high-tariff sectors
Even with the 90-day pause in some tariff measures, freight forwarding recruitment is still being shaped by caution. Most companies are treating it as a temporary gap rather than a long-term resolution. That means hiring decisions are staying closer to current demand, not future projections.
Recruitment has not stopped. But the way forwarders are hiring has changed. The decisions being made now are more cautious, more flexible, and more tied to daily trade shifts than ever before.
Trade disruption is changing where and how you hire
As trade routes shift, so do workforce priorities. Freight forwarders are reassessing not just how many people they hire, but when and where. Recent tariff changes have added pressure to supply chains that were already adapting to regional sourcing, shifting customer expectations, and evolving compliance requirements.
In some teams, hiring is accelerating. In others, it is being paused while freight volumes stabilise. This is not about roles disappearing. It is about responding to change with the right people in the right places.
Key shifts across freight forwarding recruitment
Inland transport roles are increasing
As more freight moves domestically, forwarders are hiring across warehousing, trucking, and short-haul coordination. This trend is particularly strong in regions supporting reshoring and domestic production.
Port and planning teams are adjusting hiring timelines
Where international volumes have slowed, recruitment is more cautious. Many forwarders are delaying permanent hires and using interim staff to manage disruption. These functions remain important, but plans are more reactive.
Customs and compliance hiring remains consistent
With regulatory requirements still evolving, demand continues for professionals experienced in USMCA, bonded goods, and trade documentation.
Client support and commercial teams are under pressure
As shippers adapt to changes in cost and lead times, forwarders are strengthening customer-facing teams. Temporary hires and internal redeployment are being used to manage increased demand.
Hiring priorities are now shaped by trade flows rather than static headcount plans. A forwarder focusing on trans-Pacific freight will have different recruitment needs to one working across North America. Regional sourcing, shifting trade lanes, and tariff uncertainty are pushing businesses to hire more flexibly and respond faster to changes in volume.
In this climate, supply chain recruitment, operations recruitment, and transport recruitment are all moving targets. The companies that stay ahead are the ones building teams around where the freight is going, not where it used to be.
Why Getting Freight Recruitment Right Matters in Uncertain Times
The global freight forwarding market is still expected to grow, with a projected 5.6% annual increase between 2025 and 2029. But growth does not remove the pressure. For many freight forwarders, trade policy shifts are happening faster than internal teams can respond to. When that uncertainty hits, recruitment becomes one of the first areas to feel it.
Hiring gaps are not just inconvenient. They carry risk:
- Delays in bringing in compliance or customs expertise can lead to missed shipments, documentation issues, or financial penalties
- Unfilled planning or operational roles can slow down domestic scaling or rerouting decisions
- Without policy-aware staff, it becomes harder to support clients when sourcing strategies or freight lanes suddenly shift
Freight forwarders are not scaling back hiring entirely. They are adjusting their approach. With tariff rules, regional sourcing, and client needs changing so frequently, recruitment has become more tactical than ever.
What forwarders are doing now:
- Using a mix of permanent and contract staff to keep teams flexible
- Prioritising hires in customs, compliance, and supply chain planning
- Holding back on permanent growth until volumes stabilise, especially in long-haul operations
- Partnering with recruiters who know freight forwarding recruitment, not just generic logistics roles
- Preparing for different tariff and sourcing outcomes with more agile workforce plans
These strategies are helping businesses stay responsive without overcommitting. Whether it is hiring short-term support for an unexpected volume spike or sourcing talent with deep regulatory knowledge, the goal is the same: stay ready without standing still.
Freight Appointments supports freight forwarders through these changes. From transport recruitment to customs and operations, we help you hire quickly and with full awareness of how policy and freight flow are affecting your business.
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Closing Thoughts on Freight Hiring Under Tariff Pressure
Tariff policies may keep shifting, but the hiring impact is already clear. Freight forwarders are reviewing permanent headcount, rebalancing teams, and holding back on recruitment where volumes are still uncertain. In areas like customs and operations, demand is rising, but the challenge is knowing when to act, and where support is really needed.
The businesses making the right hiring calls are not waiting for certainty. They’re adjusting based on demand patterns, preparing for different policy outcomes, and building teams that can support both domestic and international freight. That approach is what keeps shipments moving and clients supported, even when trade rules change.
Need Support with Freight Recruitment?
We help freight forwarders hire across customs, operations, and transport, with fast turnarounds and real industry knowledge. Whether you’re holding back or scaling up, we’ll help you build a team that moves with the market.
