The Airforwarders Association (AfA) says its latest member survey shows widespread reports of reduced shipping volumes linked to U.S. import tariffs.

According to the survey, 83% of respondents reported lower volumes from clients, with more than half noting supply‑chain or routing changes and nearly half citing higher operational and administrative burdens.

Members also cited customs delays, airport congestion, reduced flight schedules, and inconsistent security and documentation processes as compounding the impact of tariffs on day-to-day operations.

"Last year was defined by instability, with shifting trade policy, new tariffs, and changing security and compliance requirements, making it difficult for forwarders and their customers to plan with confidence," said Brandon Fried, executive director, Airforwarders Association.

"These results underline the need for more stable, predictable policymaking to provide businesses with the confidence to invest, plan capacity, and make longer-term supply chain decisions," he added.

The AfA said it will use the survey findings to guide its advocacy with U.S. Congress and other industry stakeholders.

Reacting to the results, Glyn Hughes, director general, The International Air Cargo Association, said the survey results "reflect the reality that current U.S. trade policy is creating."

"As barriers go up, products and supply chains go elsewhere, its economics 101."

"The weaponization of tariffs to punish countries that don't align to current U.S. positions has caused pain and uncertainty. This has generated a global focus on a U.S. plus one strategy when it comes to consumption markets. The ending of the 'de minimis' exemptions from duties and tariffs has also had a negative impact," Hughes added. "The reshoring of manufacturing will also face obstacles as unit costs of U.S. manufacturing is not competitive on the global stage."

The TIACA chief explained that since the early 1990s, the global economy has thrived, the U.S. has powered ahead as the world's leading economy and wealthiest nation and over 1 billion people around the globe have been elevated out of extreme poverty on the back of outsourced production.

"This success is now at risk," Hughes further said.

Based on AfA's survey, freight forwarders described tariffs as adding significant strain to daily operations, citing heavier administrative workloads, slower processing, and greater compliance risk. Several noted that the early impact was severe before stabilizing later in 2025, but the added data entry, auditing, and customer explanations continued to consume time and resources. One respondent called the experience a "nightmare," while another said tariffs "made things harder, more work, more risk and caused slowdowns at various points in the year."

Others pointed to broader structural effects, including volatility in cross‑border trade, shifts in production decisions, and changes in flight schedules and cargo flows.

Some forwarders reported clients delaying production or moving operations to lower‑tariff markets, while others saw traffic rerouted into different trade lanes. One respondent said tariffs have "amplified friction already present in cross‑border trade," forcing forwarders into reactive decisions and increasing compliance exposure.

Another warned that tariffs are "here to stay and will continue to disrupt markets and trade," underscoring the uncertainty shaping planning and investment across the sector.