Tariffs on Software Products: How They Affect the Global Tech Industry

What Are Software Tariffs and Why Do They Exist?

Software might be intangible, but that hasn’t stopped governments from treating it like taxable cargo. More and more, digital goods are getting caught up in trade rules originally designed for hardware.

Why? Some countries use software tariffs to protect local industries. Others see them as a way to assert control over their digital economies. But enforcement is uneven, and it often depends less on what the software does and more on how it’s delivered (downloaded, shipped on a device, bundled into a bigger product, etc.). 

Global rules aren’t exactly up to date. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has had a ban on taxing electronic transmissions since 1998. It was meant to keep e-commerce open, but could’ve never accounted for downloadable AI models or region-specific cloud licensing, for example. The moratorium has grown increasingly contentious within the WTO over the years, especially among developing countries who stand to lose out on tariff revenue because of this ban. The moratorium is set to end in 2026, and with many WTO member countries pushing to let it expire, trade rules for digital products are entering uncharted territory. 

Categories of Software Subject to Tariffs

As mentioned above, software classification for tariff purposes is less about its function, and more about how it’s delivered. If software comes on a physical item, like a USB stick, disc, or inside a machine, it’s usually treated as a product instead of a service. That means it can be taxed like any other imported good. In the US, HTS code 8523.49.40 (software recorded on media) might be used for this kind of software, for instance. 

Things get more complicated with hybrid products. For example, a hardware system bundled with license-based software might be taxed differently depending on how the value is split between the two. And customs officers don’t always interpret it the same way.

For software delivered fully digitally (downloads), most countries won’t apply an import tariff. But that doesn’t mean it’s free of extra costs. Governments are increasingly using other taxes to capture revenue from cross-border software sales. These include Value-Added Tax (VAT), Digital Services Taxes (DSTs), and similar levies. And some experts argue these taxes may actually bring in more revenue than tariffs would. In 2023, the IMF estimated that VAT on digital products could bring in 2.5 times more income than software tariffs at global rates of that time. So even if a product never crosses a border physically, it still gets caught in a growing web of digital tax policy.

How Tariffs Impact Software Licensing and Distribution

Tariffs, or similar charges, don’t just show up at the border. They can also change how software companies price their products and structure deals and contracts. Let’s say a cloud software product is bundled with a physical device and ends up getting taxed at a higher rate. That could affect the whole distribution agreement. And things can get complicated fast if it’s unclear whether the vendor or the partner is responsible for paying that duty. 

Even for software sold entirely online, tariffs in one country can make pricing inconsistent across markets. Some companies are trying to solve that by switching to usage-based pricing or moving licensing models to the cloud. But those fixes often raise new legal or technical questions.

That’s why many global suppliers are taking a closer look at how they classify and declare software. Tools like Gaia's Tariffs Engine helps automate this process by simulating how software might be taxed under different tariff schedules. With a clear picture upfront, companies can avoid disputes later and make sure their license agreements actually match their real-world risk.

Effects on Cloud Services and SaaS Providers

For a while, it looked like cloud software had sidestepped the whole tariff issue. But that’s no longer the case. In recent years, around 30 countries have either introduced or proposed digital services taxes, including major US trading partners like the EU and Canada. These aren’t technically tariffs, but they work the same way by raising the cost of imported software and shifting the burden to sellers or users.

This makes it harder for cloud providers to plan. They can’t just think about speed and performance anymore. Now, they also have to factor in local tax rules, legal exposure, and infrastructure constraints. Smaller SaaS firms without dedicated compliance teams are especially at risk.

Meanwhile, customers in regulated industries are pushing for contracts that shield them from future tax changes. That leaves providers with a choice: take on more liability or walk away from complex markets. In short, even “borderless” software isn’t safe from border politics anymore.

Strategies Tech Companies Use to Mitigate Tariff Risks

To keep up, some software companies are separating software from hardware in their product design. Other companies are tweaking commercial invoices to show different values for code and physical components. Many are adding clauses to their contracts to pass tariff costs through to the customer.

Operational shifts are also under way. According to a G2 industry report, recent tariff-related uncertainty has led more tech firms to adopt digital compliance systems, especially during spikes in enforcement. Companies are increasingly investing in digital trade compliance tools, like those offered by Gaia Dynamics, to automate classification and simulate tariff impact under various trade regimes. That helps legal and operations teams get ahead of potential issues instead of reacting to surprises.

Conclusion

Software used to be seen as lightweight and borderless, but today it's facing the same trade barriers as physical goods, sometimes even more. 

Tariffs, digital services taxes, and localization rules are reshaping how software is delivered across international lines. What was once an open channel for innovation is becoming a complex and heavily regulated trade lane. Navigating it now demands the same rigor and foresight that global companies have long applied to physical supply chains. Staying ahead will not only protect margins, but also determine who gets to lead in the next decade of global tech.