The Loophole Is Closing — And the Stakes Are Rising
Big news for the U.S. market: Starting August 29, 2025, the De Minimis exemption will be eliminated—ending duty- and tax-free entry for international parcels valued under $800.
For years, this threshold allowed e-commerce and marketplace sellers to avoid tariffs by shipping individual parcels directly from low-cost labor regions. It fueled the rise of fast-fashion and drop-ship models with minimal domestic infrastructure.
But that advantage is ending. Under a new executive order, all international shipments—regardless of value—will now be subject to full tariffs and duties.
The era of low-cost, cross-border fulfillment is over. And brands who want to remain competitive—especially in the U.S. market—must act fast.
Why This Policy Shift Matters (Globally and in the U.S.)
While the new rule applies to the U.S., it also reflects a growing global trend: governments are tightening oversight of cross-border e-commerce. The impact is real:
- Higher shipping costs and import duties
- Delivery delays and customs clearance risks
- Compliance and labeling complexity
- Decreased margins and customer satisfaction
If your current model relies on shipping parcels into the U.S. or other major markets from overseas warehouses—now is the time to rethink your fulfillment strategy.
What Happens on August 29?
- All goods entering the U.S. will be subject to duties—even under $800.
- Ad valorem tariffs may apply based on country of origin.
- A specific duty shall be assessed on each package containing goods entered for consumption, based on the effective IEEPA tariff rate applicable to the country of origin of the product as follows: Countries with an effective IEEPA rate above 25 percent: $200 per item.
There will be no more exemptions. The change is definitive—and brands must act to avoid operational and financial disruption.
A Global Problem Demands a Global Fulfillment Strategy
Whether you’re shipping to New York, London, Berlin, or Sydney—cross-border fulfillment is becoming more expensive, slower, and riskier.
To maintain delivery speed, compliance, and customer experience, leading brands are now localizing inventory in their core markets.
Why Global Brands Are Moving Inventory In-Market
At Bergen Logistics, we help e-commerce and omnichannel brands transition to landed inventory across major regions—including the U.S., EU, UK, and APAC—enabling:
- Local fulfillment and 2-day delivery capabilities
- Elimination of surprise duties at checkout
- Improved control over returns, SLAs, and packaging
- Global scale, localized precision
Why Shift Now?
- Avoid Costly Duties
Eliminate per-parcel tariffs by importing in bulk and warehousing locally. - Accelerate Delivery Times
Distribute from our coast-to-coast and multi-region fulfillment centers. - Enhance Customer Experience
Minimize customs delays and reduce returns, refunds, and delivery complaints. - Stay Compliant
Meet VAT, labeling, and customs requirements in every region—stress-free. - Scale with Confidence
Bergen’s CloudX platform offers real-time inventory visibility and integrates seamlessly with DTC and B2B channels.
Bergen Logistics: Your Global Omnichannel Fulfillment Partner
Bergen Logistics isn’t just ready—we’ve been preparing for this.
With 125+ fulfillment centers across the U.S., UK, EU, Canada, LATAM, and Asia-Pacific, we help brands operate globally with local performance.
We support:
- E-commerce, DTC, wholesale, and marketplace brands
- Fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and small electronics
- Omnichannel operations across Shopify, Amazon, retail, and more
- Automated, scalable fulfillment with white-glove kitting & returns
- End-to-end visibility and integration via CloudX WMS
Whether you’re consolidating SKUs in Europe or launching next-day delivery in the U.S., we provide the infrastructure and agility to scale seamlessly.
The End of De Minimis Is a Wake-Up Call—and a Competitive Advantage
Yes, this is a disruption. But it’s also an opportunity.
Brands that adapt now will be positioned to:
- Offer faster, duty-free delivery with no surprises
- Build trust and loyalty through better post-purchase experiences
- Capture market share from slow-moving competitors
- Expand into new regions with operational confidence
- Optimize margin through supply chain efficiency
Final Thoughts
E-commerce has always been about speed, precision, and adaptability.
As the De Minimis era ends, fulfillment becomes not just a back-office function—but a strategic advantage.
Will you wait and react—or lead with confidence and clarity?
Ready to Move Your Inventory In-Market?
Bergen Logistics helps you transition efficiently—with global compliance, real-time visibility, and speed.
Let’s talk about:
- Fast-track onboarding into global fulfillment hubs
- Regional transition plans (U.S., EU, UK, APAC)
- Customs, labeling, and duty mitigation
- Improving delivery performance, returns, and customer satisfaction
Global reach. Local excellence. Omnichannel ready.
Let’s build what’s next—together.
Contact Bergen Logistics