In a special instalment of The Bloom Show ’s Blooming Alert Series , Sahid Nahim hosted Jennifer Diaz , President of Diaz Trade Law , and Santiago Gomez de la Torre , President of Airglades , to take out the pitch world of flower duty and their ripple effects across the floral industriousness . This installment , part of the show ’s on-going Tariff Series , was rich with sixth sense , data , and actionable guidance for importers , raiser , and logistics professionals pilot uncertain waters in 2025 .
A helter-skelter landscape — and why it mattersJennifer Diaz , a 20 - year veteran in customs and international trade law , set the stage with a powerful summary : this humanity is " dynamical , psychotic , and addicting . " It involves 47 Union bureau , constant policy changes , and surprise updates that can drastically alter costs overnight .
Sahid emphasized the show ’s mission , " By the flowered industry , for the floral industry . " This means tackling spicy - push yield like tariff with trusted experts and offering clarity amid chaos .
Key trade stats : Who ’s shipping efflorescence to the U.S.?Jennifer come disposed with fresh U.S. Census Bureau trade data for Chapter 6 , which covers all things flowered . Colombia remains the top exporter to the U.S. , accounting for 41 % of imports so far in 2025 , up from 38.29 % in 2024 . Ecuador has moved up to second billet with 18 % of meaning . Canada , despite being secondly in 2024 , has send away to third at 17 % . Meanwhile , China , which concord 2.44 % or $ 88.7 million as of 2024 , has imported only $ 22 million year - to - engagement in 2025 .
Canada ’s volume is bolstered by indoor plants , trees , and bush — not just fresh - cut blossom .
Free Trade Agreements ( FTAs ): A floral advantageOne standout insight ? 100 % of bloom imports from Colombia and Canada utilize FTAs , thanks to the simplicity of tracking origin for a single - ingredient item like heyday . Unlike apparel or electronics , it ’s easy to prove where heyday are grown .
However , Ecuador lacks an active FTA with the U.S. , having previously benefited from the now - run out Generalized System of Preferences ( GSP ) .
Still , even with FTAs in position , reciprocal tariff can apply — specially under emergency measurement come up to interior security or trade deficits .
The 90 - day suspension & China ’s uncertain futureAttention then turn to China , where tariffs are currently on a 90 - day intermission . Jennifer ruin down the current duty stack as follows : the standard tariff charge per unit , division 301 tariffs for intellectual property revenge , which can be up to 25 % , the IEEPA " border crisis " tariff at 20 % , and the IEEPA " trade shortage " tariff , which recently readjust from 34–125 % to 10 % .
The pause is temporary . Jennifer aptly put it : " Get out your magic eightball . "
Logistics ripple consequence : Why Miami mattersSantiago offered a vital logistics angle : reduced imports from China do n’t just affect Chinese goods . They destabilize cargo volume into Miami , a hub life-sustaining to the South American flowered supply chain .
If flight from China bypass Miami , it increase freight costs for peak from Colombia and Ecuador — regardless of tariff . Santiago emphasized this close balance , " If loading from China disappears , the costs of getting flowers from Bogotá to Miami will spike . "
Legal strategies to trim duty burdenTo assist floral business grapple with the duty impacts , Jennifer limn several legal extenuation strategy : renegociate pricing with growers to share the tariff burden , use the First Sale Rule where applicable , specially if middlemen are involved , and apply for duty drawback for goods assembled in the U.S. but re - export . She emphasise the importance of deflect transshipment role player , such as re - rout out Taiwanese flowers through FTA countries like Colombia , which is considered vicious . to boot , she advised businesses to comply with " Made in USA " standard , using that recording label only if product are " all or substantially all " made in the U.S.
These tools are vital for managing costs while staying compliant .
Compliance is n’t optionalJennifer stress the importance of mastering compliance fundamental . Customs can inspect entries up to five years back , and any mistakes in HTS classifications , land of origin confirmation , or valuation practice can result in dearly-won penalties and wipe out your power to pursue tariff relief . Getting these foundational chemical element mighty is non - negotiable .
The gravid picture : positive degree amid pressureDespite all the turbulence , both experts pointed out signs of Leslie Townes Hope .
Santiago noted improvements in several primal areas : transparency , which serve shrink smuggling and illegal activity ; reshoring , which creates U.S. Job and aids in rebuild industry ; and strategic logistics , which encourage integration and innovation .
Jennifer added that this hurly burly is foster resilience , strong partnership , and smarter compliance strategies across the floral industriousness . " If you do n’t have your own Santiago — and your legal counsel — on f number telephone dial , now ’s the time . "
For more information : New Bloom Solutions[email protected]newbloomsolutions.com/
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