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38 SMT007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2026 F E AT U R E Q & A W I T H M A R K Z E T T E R , V E N T U R E O U TS O U RC E For OEMs and EMS providers, the country of origin of individual components, additional duties, and changing trade policies can complicate everything from quoting to supply chain planning. Moving electronics manufacturing from one country to another doesn't necessarily eliminate tariff expo- sure. Mark Zetter of Venture Outsource LLC has applied his expertise, along with a team of opera- tions and finance professionals, to enable OEMs and EMS companies to better evaluate landed costs, sourcing alternatives, and the financial risks of shifting the production chain. In this Q&A, Zetter explains the problem and his solution. Mark, what exactly is a tariff stack, and why does un- derstanding it matter for OEMs and EMS companies making sourcing decisions? A tariff stack is an aggregate of duties, taxes, fees, and trade measures applied to a product when it crosses a border. It is not just the headline tariff rate, The Hidden Costs of TARIFF STACKING