Blog
News & Updates
Understanding and Combatting Industry-wide Carrier Surcharges
Originally written 2022, Updated Sept 2025 There are hundreds of possible surcharges carriers can apply to your shipment, adding yet another layer of complexity to the already complex business of international shipping. It would be impossible to list them all, but being aware of some key surcharges can help merchants…
Final Peak Preparations for Cross Border Success with FlavorCloud
Updated on September 25th, 2025 (Originally posted November 9, 2023) It’s time to think about final peak preparations for 2025. Cross border shipping in 2025 comes with both opportunity and complexity. Rising tariffs, evolving trade rules, and shifting consumer expectations mean brands need to be more proactive than ever. At…
Preparing for Black Friday & Holiday This Season
Updated on Sept 18th (Originally post November 23, 2022) Black Friday and Cyber Monday is now a standard global phenomenon that kick-starts peak season and often launches weeks before the ‘official day’. As a result, thousands of merchants are in the midst of peak season and will be shipping orders…
Smarter International Returns: How to Protect Margins and Build Customer Trust
Returns are an inevitable part of ecommerce but they’re especially complex when crossing borders. Between shipping costs, customs requirements, and varying local expectations, international returns can quickly turn into a margin-killer if not handled strategically. But here’s the upside: when managed well, international returns can actually protect your margins and…
Understanding Legal vs. Illegal Transshipment
Summary Transshipment, the movement of goods through an intermediate country, has become a frontline compliance issue. Legal transshipment requires strict customs control and documentation, while illegal transshipment (disguising true origin) can lead to steep penalties, loss of preferential tariff treatment, and now, under new U.S. rules, additional tariffs of up…
Cross Border Chronicle | August 2025
Welcome to the Cross Border Chronicle the August 2025 edition of FlavorCloud’s monthly newsletter TARIFF DEEP DIVE Review the latest in tariffs sourced only from official government sources on our Trade and Tariff Hub. The following is a consolidated list, for more information checkout the hub. The suspension of the U.S….
Parcel Networks vs. Postal Network: What Every Merchant Needs to Know After De Minimis
Summary: Starting August 29, 2025, the end of the $800 de minimis exemption makes postal network shipping costly and risky, with flat fees up to $200, stricter compliance, and widespread service suspensions. Parcel networks are now the only reliable path for cross border ecommerce offering compliance, visibility, and resilience at…
The impact of the end of the U.S. $800 de minimis exemption on Canada
Summary On August 29, 2025, the United States will eliminate its $800 de minimis exemption—an exemption that has long enabled Canadian merchants to ship low-value parcels into the U.S. without duties, taxes, or full customs clearance. The impact of the removal of the de minimis exemption on Canada will reshape…
2025 Tariffs Updates: Key Impacts on U.S., Canada, China, and Mexico
Please go to the new Tariff and Trade Hub for the latest news on 2025 Tariffs Tariffs & Trade Hub Updated August 14, 2025 originally written March 3rd All following points are sourced from official government sources like the White House official website, The Federal Register, Government of Canada website,…
Understanding USMCA and the 25% Tariffs on Canadian and Mexican Goods
Updated on August 14. Originally written March 14, 2025 Summary: In March 2025, conflicting reports suggested that U.S. tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico were being paused, but in reality, most products remain subject to tariffs unless they qualify under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). To claim USMCA benefits, goods…
Tariff Deep Dive: Understanding Country of Origin and Its Impact on Import Tariffs
Updated on August 15, 2025. Originally written February 13, 2025 Summary In early 2025, the U.S. introduced sweeping tariff and customs changes, beginning with a 10% tariff on goods manufactured in China, followed by the removal of the $800 de minimis exemption for China-origin goods in May and for…
The end of the U.S. $800 de minimis rule: What it means for consumers
Summary Starting August 29, 2025, shopping from overseas is about to get more expensive. The U.S. will eliminate the $800 de minimis rule, an exemption that has long allowed low-value shipments to enter the country duty-free and with minimal paperwork. This change is designed to close loopholes in international trade…
Tariff Deep Dive: Customs Calculation of New Duties and Fees For Shipments Not Eligible for De Minimis Entry
Updated: August 14th, 2025 originally written April 29, 2025 Summary As of May 2, 2025, goods from China and Hong Kong no longer qualify for Section 321 de minimis entry, and starting in August 2025, this removal applies to all countries. Section 321 previously allowed shipments under $800 to enter…
The end of the US $800 de minimis rule and what it means for international ecommerce merchants
Summary: Starting August 29, 2025, the U.S. will eliminate the $800 de minimis rule, an exemption that has long allowed low-value shipments to enter the country duty-free and with minimal paperwork. This change will have major implications for brands, 3PLs, and marketplaces that have relied on this threshold—especially those using…
Guide on Regionalization for Global Fulfillment
Summary International ecommerce doesn’t have to mean long delivery times and customs headaches. Regionalizing fulfillment—storing and shipping inventory closer to your customers—can help you cut costs, speed up delivery, and meet rising customer expectations. In this blog, we break down the rising trend of regionalized fulfillment, explore when it makes…
Cross Border Chronicles | July 25th, 2025
New! Refer a Merchant & Earn $1000 Know a brand ready to ship globally? Refer them to FlavorCloud and earn $1,000 when they start shipping. They’ll get $100 off too. It’s a win-win. Refer a merchant today. Tariff Update Trump has announced trade deals with Japan and Indonesia. Upcoming:…
How Johnnie-O Unlocked New Global Growth
Company Overview Johnnie-O is a premium lifestyle apparel brand built at the intersection of tradition and innovation. Founded in Southern California, the company draws inspiration from “the more interesting scenic route” blending classic East Coast style, laid-back West Coast influence, and a touch of Midwest grit. Johnnie-O creates timeless, thoughtful…
Intelligent International Shipping for Apparel and Footwear Brands
International shipping for apparel and footwear across borders might seem straightforward, but this category comes with its own set of compliance landmines, cost considerations, and customer experience traps. Even so, it’s an opportunity that is well worth the investment, In 2025, Apparel market revenue worldwide is estimated to reach a…
Importing Supplements into the US: The 4 Things Ecommerce Brands Need to Know
The US is one of the largest and most lucrative markets for supplements, the revenue generated in the vitamins & minerals market in the United States amounts to US$4.79bn in 2025. However, getting your products across the border isn’t as simple as printing labels and pressing “ship.” For ecommerce merchants…
Shipping Beauty and Cosmetics Internationally: What Brands Need to Know
The global beauty and cosmetics industry is booming with a 46.6% year over year increase in international growth. Shipping beauty and cosmetics internationally is becoming an enticing market. International shoppers are eager to access favorite skincare brands, fragrances, and clean beauty essentials, presenting a significant opportunity for brands to expand…
Cross Border Chronicles | June 2025
June Month over Month Shipment Growth After an industry-wide dip tied to tariff volatility and shifting trade policies, June marked a strong rebound in international shipments across key markets. Get more metrics from the State of Cross Border: Consumer Report. 🇨🇦 Canada: +78% 🇦🇺 Australia: +74% 🇬🇧 Great Britain: +61% …