A global study from Descartes Systems Group reveals that 39% of high-growth companies, those projecting over 15% revenue growth, view trade compliance as a competitive advantage, compared to just 22% of slower-growing firms. The study also highlights that nearly three-quarters (72%) of these fast-growing companies also say technology is vital to their compliance edge, while almost half prioritize tech investment as the key to navigating international trade complexity.
Compliance Moves from Obligation to Opportunity
More high-growth companies now view trade compliance as a core driver of competitive advantage. The Descartes study, based on responses from 887 global business decision-makers, shows a clear divergence in how growth-focused firms approach compliance.
Among companies expecting strong growth, compliance is tightly linked to enterprise ambition. These firms are investing more heavily in trade professionals and embedding compliance earlier into strategic processes, from sourcing decisions to customs planning. On average, high-growth companies assign eight full-time employees to compliance roles, compared to six at firms with limited or no growth expectations.
Beyond headcount, firms are investing in compliance to gain tighter oversight and operational agility. As global trade becomes more fragmented and subject to rapid regulatory shifts, compliance teams are being positioned as enablers of agility, ensuring smoother cross-border flows, faster market access, and better resilience to geopolitical shocks.
Tech Investment Fuels the Shift
What truly separates fast-growing companies is how they use technology to operationalize their compliance ambitions. According to the study, 86% of high-growth firms say tech is either fundamental or very important to their overall business strategy. Additionally, 47% identify technology investment as their top approach for dealing with international trade challenges, far ahead of the 18% figure among low- or no-growth peers.
These technologies range from automated classification engines and restricted party screening tools to integrated trade content databases and AI-powered risk detection. By bringing together trade intelligence and supply chain visibility, leading firms are creating compliance environments that are both responsive and predictive.
“Given the volatility of the current trade landscape, rife with evolving tariffs, trade barriers, sanctions and regulations, effective and efficient global trade compliance is a distinct competitive differentiator,” said Jackson Wood, Director, Industry Strategy at Descartes in an official statement.
A Measured Advantage in a Volatile Trade Landscape
The clearest takeaway from the Descartes study is that trade compliance is shifting from the periphery to the core of supply chain decision-making, particularly among companies positioning for long-term growth.
The growing divide between proactive and reactive approaches reflects more than just budget disparity; it signals a deeper alignment between operational maturity and risk readiness. For supply chain leaders, this means evaluating compliance not as a siloed function, but as a capability that strengthens responsiveness, transparency, and strategic optionality.
