Tariffs are up. Trade rules are shifting. And ecommerce brands are caught in the crosshairs.
But according to Thomas Taggart, Passport’s VP of Global Trade, this isn’t the time to panic—it’s the time to pivot.
In a new webcast produced with Practical Ecommerce, Thomas outlines the latest developments in global trade, what they mean for DTC brands, and how leading operators are proactively reworking their international strategy before peak season hits.
If you’re selling cross-border—or even thinking about it—you’ll want to give this 20-minute session a watch.
What’s Changing?
Since early May, the U.S. has rolled out a wave of new trade policies:
- The de minimis exemption was removed for goods from China and Hong Kong
- Tariffs of 30–100%+ are now hitting impacted products
- Reciprocal tariffs from other countries are under review or already in place
- More changes are coming, especially around low-value shipments
The result? Ecommerce brands face rising costs, shrinking margins, and major uncertainty around where to manufacture, ship, and scale.
What Are Brands Doing?
Despite the disruption, global growth isn’t slowing down. In fact, according to Passport’s new report based on a survey of 100 senior ecommerce leaders, it’s accelerating:
- 91% of brands say international sales are already profitable
- 86% are scaling up cross-border shipping this year
- 94% are actively investing in in-country fulfillment (think: Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia)
The brands that are winning? They’re not waiting for stability. They’re optimizing their supply chains, localizing their checkout flows, and getting ahead of regulatory complexity before it cuts into Q4 revenue.
Where Passport Comes In
Thomas walks through both complex and simple changes ecommerce teams can make now:
- Update your HS codes to reduce duty exposure
- Show accurate landed costs at checkout to protect your margins and reduce returns
- Explore in-country fulfillment to avoid U.S. tariffs and slash shipping costs
Use Passport’s Seller of Record® model to simplify indirect tax registration and remittance
“You don’t have to be a compliance expert,” Thomas says. “You just need the right partner to help you navigate what’s ahead.”
Ready to Get Smart on Tariffs?
Watch the full webcast on demand:
You’ll also learn how brands like HexClad and Dolls Kill are protecting profitability while continuing to expand across key global markets.
And for the latest tariff updates in real time, visit TrumpTradeTracker.com.
