See the next generation of 3PL in action: See how Portless can 10x your revenue by optimizing shipping logistics
Are you affected by the recent tariffs on imports from China?
Over the weekend, former President Trump signed executive orders imposing 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with an additional 10% tariff on goods from China. While tariffs on Canada and Mexico have been temporarily paused for a month, the levies on China remain in effect.
One major provision in these orders affects “de minimis” trade exemptions, which allow packages under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. This could have significant implications for e-commerce businesses sourcing inventory from China.
However, this also presents an opportunity to improve your shipping logistics, mitigate risks, and even grow your E-Commerce and merchant businesses . Here are four key strategies merchants can use to adapt:
Chinese factories have been experiencing lower demand and are eager for business. With many merchants now exploring alternative sourcing options, factories may be more willing to offer better pricing and concessions. As they return from Chinese New Year, now is the ideal time to negotiate a COGS reduction and secure better terms.
The U.S. isn’t the only market. With a few adjustments to your Shopify settings, you can start selling internationally quickly. While marketing may take some time, platforms like Meta make it easier than ever to scale globally. Some merchants are already generating 50%+ of their revenue outside the U.S.
With no tariffs and affordable international shipping options, expanding globally is a smart way to diversify risk. For example, at Portless, we ship most lightweight goods across the UK and EU for just $5–$10—making global expansion more accessible than ever.
Traditional shipping models require you to pay import taxes as soon as goods enter the U.S., even if they take months to sell. If inventory doesn’t move, that’s an expensive loss.
By using a direct shipping model—where inventory is stored in China and only shipped to consumers upon purchase—you benefit in two ways:
✅ No upfront tax payments—You only pay import taxes when an order is placed and revenue is already received.
✅ Only pay taxes on what you sell—Reducing financial risk and improving cash flow.
While price increases can impact conversions, many major brands are already factoring in tariffs, inflation, and rising costs. If your brand has been considering a price adjustment, now may be the right time to implement it while market-wide changes are occurring.
The new tariffs introduce challenges, but with smart logistics, cost-saving strategies, and global expansion, e-commerce brands can stay competitive and even find new growth opportunities.
Want to optimize your shipping strategy? Portless can help you navigate these changes, minimize risk / improve your cash flow, and grow your business 10x in revenue.
Discover how you can also:
