What’s on our minds

Both a Foreign Trade Zone and a bonded warehouse let importers defer, reduce, or in some cases eliminate duty on goods before they enter U.S. commerce. They solve a similar problem, but the mechanics are different enough that picking the wrong one leaves cash tied up that didn’t need to be. What a Foreign Trade ...

Most 3PLs can pick, pack, and ship your orders. Very few can legally clear those goods through U.S. Customs first. Customs brokerage requires a license from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the overwhelming majority of fulfillment providers do not hold one. If your brand imports its products, that means the typical “logistics partner” only ...

Every product that crosses a U.S. border needs a Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code, and that ten-digit number determines the duty rate, whether the shipment needs extra paperwork, and how likely it is to get flagged for exam. Misclassify it and you either overpay duties for years without realizing it, or underpay and end up ...

In February 2025, the U.S. eliminated de minimis eligibility for shipments from China and Hong Kong, requiring formal customs entry, an importer of record, and full HTS documentation on packages that used to clear duty-free under the $800 threshold. That change hit ecommerce brands sourcing from China hardest, and de minimis policy has stayed a ...

For any brand importing products into the United States, customs clearance is the step that determines whether your inventory arrives on schedule or sits in a government hold while your stock runs dry. Most brands don’t think about customs until something goes wrong — and by then, the delay is already costing them. Understanding how ...

Freight forwarding is one of those terms that comes up constantly in international logistics — but for most brand founders and operators, it remains a bit of a black box. If you’re sourcing products overseas and shipping them to the US for fulfillment, you’re already dependent on freight forwarding whether you realize it or not. ...

How Tariff Changes Are Reshaping E-Commerce Fulfillment — And What to Do About It The trade landscape shifted dramatically last week. In fact, threats of double-digit duties on Canada and Mexico nearly upended North American trade entirely. Then, at 12:01 AM on February 4th, the U.S. government imposed new tariffs on Chinese and Hong Kong ...

Year in Review: 2024 saw significant global trade and logistics changes, driven by shifting tariffs, stricter trade compliance measures, and growing tensions around port automation. Importers faced increasing pressure to adapt to these challenges while maintaining efficient supply chains. As we approach 2025, businesses must stay informed and proactive to navigate these developments. Tariffs and ...