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

- Show: [The Builder Circle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle)
- Published: 2025-10-14
- Length: 1h 05m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2025-10-14-s3-e2-export-import-tariffs-and-trade-compliance-for-hardware-startups-with-gabr
- Listen: https://rss.com/podcasts/thebuildercircle/2269738

## Summary

Gabrielle Griffith, Director at BPE Global, explains the critical importance of HTS codes, country of origin, and substantial transformation for hardware startups navigating global trade. She details how tariffs are calculated based on these factors and warns against common misconceptions, such as assuming moving assembly to Mexico automatically avoids Section 301 tariffs on Chinese components. The episode covers practical strategies for tariff engineering, including working with customs brokers, understanding USMCA rules, and maintaining audit-ready documentation to avoid costly penalties.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2025-10-14-s3-e2-export-import-tariffs-and-trade-compliance-for-hardware-startups-with-gabr#t=0) Introduction: Gabrielle Griffith and BPE Global
- [4:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2025-10-14-s3-e2-export-import-tariffs-and-trade-compliance-for-hardware-startups-with-gabr#t=277) HTS Codes, Duties, and Country of Origin Fundamentals
- [15:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2025-10-14-s3-e2-export-import-tariffs-and-trade-compliance-for-hardware-startups-with-gabr#t=921) Substantial Transformation and Tariff Engineering
- [29:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2025-10-14-s3-e2-export-import-tariffs-and-trade-compliance-for-hardware-startups-with-gabr#t=1756) USMCA, Free Trade Agreements, and Section 301 Interactions
- [37:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2025-10-14-s3-e2-export-import-tariffs-and-trade-compliance-for-hardware-startups-with-gabr#t=2246) Common Misconceptions: Loopholes, Shipping Status, and Valuation
- [48:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2025-10-14-s3-e2-export-import-tariffs-and-trade-compliance-for-hardware-startups-with-gabr#t=2881) Hardware as a Service, Export Controls, and Deemed Exports
- [55:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2025-10-14-s3-e2-export-import-tariffs-and-trade-compliance-for-hardware-startups-with-gabr#t=3302) Hardware Horror Stories: Border Holds and Penalties
- [59:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2025-10-14-s3-e2-export-import-tariffs-and-trade-compliance-for-hardware-startups-with-gabr#t=3596) Lightning Round: Mexico Production and Scenario Analysis

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- BPE Global (company)
- USMCA (other)
- Section 301 (other)
- CBP (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Bonus: Tariffs 101 with Aaron Alpeter](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-02-06-bonus-tariffs-101-with-aaron-alpeter) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [EMS & The Economist - Tariffs Special - April 13th, 2025](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-14-ems-the-economist-tariffs-special-april-13th-2025) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [124: Tariff Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-05-08-124-tariff-talk) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Dotty Ernest Annty Frost](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-09-dotty-ernest-annty-frost) (The Amp Hour)
- [Down at the Doctor's with Dr. Bill Cardoso and Dr. Eric Miscoll: AI Curiosity, Tariff Turmoil, Economic Uncertainty, and Much More](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-25-down-at-the-doctors-with-dr-bill-cardoso-and-dr-eric-miscoll-ai-curiosity-tariff) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2025-10-14-s3-e2-export-import-tariffs-and-trade-compliance-for-hardware-startups-with-gabr. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Builder Circle.