The latest round of Trump trade tariffs has sent ecommerce merchants scrambling to assess the impact on imports, exports, and supply chains. With a 10% tariff now in place on Chinese goods, uncertainty around Canada and Mexico tariffs, and potential changes to the U.S. de minimis rule, online sellers need to stay informed and proactive.
To break down these shifting policies and what they mean for global trade, Practical Ecommerce sat down with Alex Yancher, CEO and Co-founder of Passport, a leader in cross-border logistics and ecommerce internationalization.
In the interview, Alex dives into:
✓ Breaking down the new tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada
✓ Why Trump is pushing these trade policies and what they mean for merchants
✓ The de minimis rule and how potential changes could reshape direct-from-China ecommerce
✓ Advice for merchants on mitigating tariff impacts and restructuring supply chains
✓ How Passport helps brands go global, from duty & tax compliance to in-country fulfillment
Navigating the Tariff Landscape
One of the biggest takeaways? The de minimis rule is the wildcard. This rule allows shipments under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free, but Trump has suggested removing it—especially for China-made goods. If that happens, merchants relying on direct-from-China shipping could face massive cost increases.
For brands manufacturing in China, the new 10% tariff is already in effect, adding to the existing 39% tariff from the Biden administration. That means businesses need to re-evaluate suppliers, explore alternative fulfillment strategies, and plan ahead to avoid unexpected costs.
How Merchants Can Stay Competitive
Alex’s advice to ecommerce sellers:
➤ If you manufacture in China, assess whether the new tariff is a deal-breaker and explore supplier diversification.
➤ If you ship directly from China to U.S. customers, prepare for the de minimis rule to change. Have a Plan B to avoid paying duties on the full retail price.
➤ Consider in-country fulfillment to minimize cross-border shipping costs and reduce tariff exposure.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation, or read the transcript for more insights.
Keeping Up with Global Trade Changes
With tariffs shifting rapidly, Passport launched TrumpTradeTracker.com to help merchants monitor trade changes, understand new regulations, and stay ahead of industry trends.
As international ecommerce becomes more complex, Passport is here to help brands navigate global trade with ease—from cross-border logistics and duty management to localized fulfillment in 180+ countries.
