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What is tariff engineering?  Tariff engineering is the practice of designing or altering a product so that it qualifies for a more favorable customs classification and therefore a lower duty rate. Importantly, the product must be imported in the altered form. It’s not about disguising goods or making temporary changes, which would…

General rate increases (GRIs) are one of the most predictable yet least transparent parts of international shipping. Every year, carriers announce across-the-board price increases that apply regardless of shipper size, destination, or performance history. For merchants, GRIs often feel unavoidable, difficult to forecast, and disconnected from the realities of how their packages actually…

Product classification is one of the least accurate and most critical parts of international commerce. Every physical product that crosses a border must be assigned a Harmonized System (HS) code, a standardized identifier used by customs authorities worldwide to determine duties, taxes, regulatory requirements, and admissibility.  When classification is wrong, the consequences rarely show up immediately. Instead, they…

Happy New Year! Q4 closed stronger than anticipated, with BFCM delivering solid cross border growth despite ongoing tariff and regulatory uncertainty. A strong signal that international demand remains robust when friction is managed well.  Learn more → TARIFF DEEP DIVE Review the latest in tariffs sourced only from official government sources on our Trade and…

Global commerce did not become complex overnight. It became complex slowly, unevenly, and often invisibly. Each new market introduced its own regulatory logic. Each new product brought classification nuance. Each new carrier or fulfillment node added another set of rules, exceptions, and failure modes. Over time, these layers compounded until cross border commerce became…

How merchants and 3PLs can align promotions, pricing, and fulfillment with global buying moments to protect margins and drive international growth As global trade rules tighten and cross border shipping becomes more complex, one thing is clear heading into 2026: growth can no longer rely on domestic demand alone. De…

2025 marked a turning point for global ecommerce. Tariffs accelerated, de minimis ended, compliance became unavoidable, and AI shifted from experimentation to execution.    Despite the volatility, brands shipping with FlavorCloud grew faster year over year: Sales volume increased 16% YoY, reflecting sustained international demand  Revenue grew 37% YoY, outpacing order growth  Average order value (AOV) increased…

Summary   The United Kingdom has announced plans to remove its £135 de minimis customs duty exemption, following similar moves by the United States and the European Union. While the UK de minimis threshold will remain in place through at least December 31, 2026, full removal is expected by March 2029…

Online sellers face the complex challenge of meeting customer expectations for rapid delivery times, even across international borders. For decision-makers at 3PLs and merchants, the stakes are high—slow shipping can erode customer satisfaction and impede repeat business. Customer expectations are the same as domestic, but it is extraordinarily difficult to…

Checkout November 2025’s edition of the Cross Border Chronicle: PEAK PREPARATION 2025 US Outbound Holiday Shipping Deadlines Now Live Peak Season officially kicks off next week, and we know this time of year can feel intense. Especially with the evolving customs landscape and rising consumer expectations. Our team is here…

The holidays are right around the corner, signaling the start of the 2025 Peak Season. While this time of year brings global celebrations and record-breaking ecommerce demand, it also introduces a more complex shipping environment than merchants have seen in years. Carrier networks are tightening capacity, new tariff rules are…

  Summary: Global logistics in 2025 is shaped by overlapping disruptions: strikes, carrier consolidation, and fast-changing tariffs. Customs enforcement is stricter than ever, with rising penalties and shrinking de minimis exemptions. Consumer demand is still strong but shifting toward emerging markets and resilient categories like Health & Wellness and Beauty….

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Summary Artificial intelligence or AI is revolutionizing cross border logistics and what it means to operate globally. Once confined to predictive analytics or warehouse automation, AI now sits at the core of international logistics, transforming how data moves, how networks interact, and how merchants and partners manage complexity at scale….

Tariffs aren’t going anywhere. With rising landed costs and growing scrutiny on cross-border shipments, many brands are left wondering how to stay competitive internationally without sacrificing margin. In April, after the U.S. imposed tariffs of up to 145% on Made in China goods,  FlavorCloud data showed that goods with the…

PEAK PREPARATION Shipping cut offs, surcharges, and more Peak season is here, time to harness opportunities and demand from across the globe. But don’t forget to plan for surcharges, capacity crunches, and heighten consumer expectations Peak Season Hub– A central hub with updated surcharge information, preparation guides, and holiday cut off…