Introducing TariffEase: Helping Small Businesses Thrive in a Complex Trade Landscape

By Billy Carmen, Founder of TariffEase

As a small business owner and the CTO of Wizard Industries, Inc., I know firsthand the challenges small businesses face when dealing with tariffs, trade regulations, and duty drawbacks. For over 25 years, I’ve worked to develop tools and products to simplify life for DIYers, professionals, and small businesses. But when it came to managing trade, the complexity of tariffs always loomed large.

Tariffs are like a hidden tax on growth—a cost that hits small businesses hardest. Whether it’s misclassified Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes that result in overpayments, missed duty drawback opportunities, or the bureaucratic hurdles of government trade programs, navigating the system is overwhelming. Small businesses don’t have the resources or staff that big corporations rely on. We need tools that make trade simple, efficient, and cost-effective.

That’s why I created TariffEase. I wanted to build a platform that levels the playing field and empowers small businesses to:

1. Save Money: TariffEase helps you accurately classify goods to avoid costly overpayments. It also simplifies the filing of duty drawback claims, helping you reclaim up to 99% of duties paid on exported goods.

2. Discover Opportunities: Many government grants and trade benefits go unused because they’re too complex to navigate. TariffEase connects you to these opportunities, making it easier to find and apply for financial support.

3. Advocate for Change: TariffEase is more than a platform; it’s a movement. By uniting small businesses in a coalition, we amplify our collective voice to push for fairer trade policies that work for everyone—not just the big players.

The Impact of Tariffs on Small Businesses Every dollar spent on tariffs is a dollar that could be reinvested into your business. For small businesses, that reinvestment could mean hiring new employees, expanding your product line, or improving operations. Instead, many small companies are left struggling to absorb rising costs.

The ripple effect extends to consumers, too. When small businesses pay more, prices increase for everyone, contributing to a higher cost of living. TariffEase helps reduce this burden by equipping businesses with the tools they need to navigate tariffs effectively.

A Vision for the Future My goal with TariffEase is to help small businesses not just survive but thrive. Trade doesn’t have to be a roadblock; with the right tools and resources, it can become a competitive advantage. Together, we can take the complexity out of trade, save money, and build stronger businesses—one success story at a time.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’re a business owner, advocate, or partner, I invite you to join us at TariffEase.com. Let’s simplify trade, empower small businesses, and create a brighter future—together.

Billy Carmen Founder, TariffEase