Appeals Court Moves Fast: Trump’s Tariffs Get the Green Light Again — What Amazon Sellers Need to Do

What Happened

On May 29-30 2025, a federal appeals court issued a stay reinstating the sweeping tariffs previously blocked by the United States Court of International Trade (CIT). The tariffs challenged include Trump-era measures targeting imports from China, Canada, Mexico and other trading partners. Reuters+2Scotsman Guide+2

Why This Matters

  • Landed Cost Spike Re-Activated: Products you sourced assuming lower duties may now be exposed to higher tariffs.
  • Pricing & Margin Pressure: If you built pricing models around the expectation of tariff relief, those assumptions may be invalidated.
  • Supply Chain Risk: The window for cost relief has shrunk. Brands must act fast or face inventory cost shocks.

What You Should Do Immediately

  1. Re-Audit Landed Cost Models
    • Run worst-case tariffs + freight scenarios for major source-countries.
    • Review bids, ACOS, and margin thresholds accordingly.
  2. Secure Supply Terms & Pricing Now
    • Negotiate with suppliers for contract terms; include “tariff escalation” clauses.
    • Lock in MOQs/pricing for immediate restocks before cost rises.
  3. Inventory & Launch Prioritisation
    • Prioritise SKUs with high margin, low tariff exposure.
    • Delay launches of high-tariff/low-margin products if cost upside is imminent.

30/60-Day Roadmap

Days 1–30:

  • Update cost/pricing models; communicate to finance/ops teams.
  • Pause or re-evaluate SKUs with high tariff exposure.
  • Negotiate supplier cost buffers.

Days 31–60:

  • Monitor tariff policy updates & legal filings.
  • Adjust pricing & campaign budgets to match new margin reality.
  • Keep inventory levels lean but secure restock for high-velocity SKUs.

Final Word

The legal battle isn’t over—and for now, the tariffs are back in effect. Treat this not as a delay but as a warning: cost assumptions change fast. Act quickly, protect your margin, and keep your supply chain flexible. That’s how Amazon brands stay ahead.