Commerce Today

Episode 139: The End of De Minimis: New Tariffs and What They Mean for Your Business

September 3rd, 2025  |  18 mins 30 secs

bonded warehouses, brazilian imports, chinese ship-to-shore cranes, copper-heavy imports, cross-border e-commerce, customer communication, de minimis exemption, free-trade zones, freight contracts, fulfillment workflows, landed cost, logistics strategies, mid-market brands, pricing impact, profit margins, supply chain costs, tariff engineering, tariffs, u.s. import duties

In this episode, Joshua unpacks the seismic changes hitting cross-border e-commerce. As of August 29, 2025, the long-standing U.S. de minimis exemption that allowed duty-free entry for parcels under $800 is eliminated—meaning every shipment, no matter its value, will now face import duties. On top of that, Washington has imposed steep tariffs, including 50% on most Brazilian imports, 50% on copper-heavy goods, and the threat of 270% tariffs on Chinese ship-to-shore cranes.

Joshua explains why these shifts are happening, who will be most affected, and what merchants can do to protect margins. Drawing from real-world brand experiences, he outlines the risks of vanishing profits once duties hit and provides practical steps: renegotiating freight contracts, restructuring fulfillment, and proactively communicating with customers. Listeners will learn how to calculate their new landed cost, identify markets that may no longer be viable, and apply strategies like bonded warehouses, tariff engineering, and free-trade zones to stay competitive.