S3 E2: Export, Import, Tariffs, and Trade Compliance for Hardware Startups with Gabrielle Griffith

About this episode

This episode discusses tariffs and global trade compliance for hardware startups with expert Gabrielle Griffith.

This episode is all about navigating the complex world of tariffs and global trade compliance for hardware startups, featuring Gabrielle Griffith , Director at BPE Global, a leading trade compliance consulting firm. Gabrielle brings 20+ years of experience helping companies of all sizes manage the risks, costs, and surprises of international trade. If you’ve ever wondered how tariffs, HTS codes, and country of origin rules really impact your hardware business, this is the episode for you. In this episode, you’ll discover: 🛃 The fundamentals of tariffs, HTS codes, and why getting your classifications right is critical. 🌍 How country of origin and “substantial transformation” can make or break your supply chain strategy. 🤝 The real impact (and limitations) of free trade agreements like USMCA for hardware companies. 🚩 Common misconceptions on tariffs that can get startups in trouble. 💡 Practical strategies, scenario planning, and real-world horror stories to help you avoid costly mistakes. 📦 How to work with customs brokers, document your supply chain, and keep your business audit-ready. ⚠️ What to do when things go wrong—plus the fines, penalties, and legal risks you need to…

People in this episode

Host: Sera Evcimen

Guest: Gabrielle Griffith

Topics covered

• tariffs
• global trade compliance
• hardware startups
• supply chain strategy
• free trade agreements
• customs brokers
• scenario planning

Keywords

• tariffs
• HTS codes
• country of origin
• trade compliance
• supply chain
• customs brokers
• free trade agreements
• scenario analysis
• hardware business
• international trade

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BPE Global, USMCA

More episodes of The Builder Circle™: The Hardware Startup Success Podcast

• S3 E9 Scaling Mission-Critical Hardware: Ops Lessons from Space & Fusion with Darby Dunn · February 10, 2026 · 1h 24m
• S3 E8: Navigating and Managing Contract Manufacturers with Peter Russo · January 27, 2026 · 1h 15m
• S3 E7: Building Bootstrapped Hardware That Sells with Christian Reed · January 13, 2026 · 55 min
• For Hardware Startups by Hardware People: Building The Builder Circle with Host, Sera Evcimen · January 6, 2026 · 18 min
• S3 E6: Building Innovation Moats with Open Hardware with Andrew "Bunnie" Huang · December 9, 2025 · 1h 6m
• S3 E5: AI in Hardware: The Future of Design, Manufacturing, and Innovation with Kristen Edwards · November 25, 2025 · 1h 13m