International Shipping Resources
Tips and Information for shipping internationally
Cross Border Chronicle | April 2025 Newsletter
Welcome to the Cross Border Chronicle, FlavorCloud’s monthly newsletter to keep you up to date on the latest news in cross border commerce. Tariff Tracking Upcoming: US to eliminate USD $800 de minimis on Made in China and Hong Kong goods starting May 2nd. Read more about the impact and Formal & Informal clearance.…
The 6 Most Common Tariff Mistakes Merchants Make
With shifting regulations and new tariffs in place, understanding the nuances of customs compliance is critical for merchants engaged in international shipping. Mistakes in tariff compliance can lead to unexpected costs, shipment delays, and even legal penalties. Here are five of the most common tariff mistakes merchants make when navigating new regulation—and how to avoid…
6 Tariff Strategies for Resilience
The Tariff Challenge for Ecommerce Merchants & 3PLs Since February 2025, the United States has implemented a series of tariffs on imports from China, Canada, Mexico, and other global trading partners. This has sparked retaliatory measures, creating an unpredictable trade landscape where tariff rates can shift overnight. Keeping up with tariff changes has become a…
Cross-Border Chronicle | March 27, 2025 Newsletter
Tariff Update Tariffs began in earnest in March: March 3: The USA instituted 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. The second round of tariffs on China was also implemented, resulting in a cumulative increase of 20%. March 4: Canada issued its first round of tariffs. China issued its second round of retaliatory tariffs on the…
DDU Is Dying: Why Tariff Changes Have Sealed Its Fate
The frustration of packages stuck in customs or surprise fees at delivery can sour even the most enthusiastic shopping experience. With recent changes in tariffs and customs clearance processes, these frustrations are only getting worse. Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) was once a cost-saving option, but as clearance requirements tighten, delays mount, and unexpected fees grow,…
Internal Change Management – Aligning on Our Vision for Supply Chain Transformation
Panelist: Maia Benson – FlavorCloud Chief Business Officer Birger Buesching – Head of Supply Chain North America, Personal Health at Philips David Colyott – Former EVP, Operations at MPG Ingredients Lalit Panda – Interim Global Chief Information Officer at Netceed Ben Smith – COO at Earth Breeze; Advisor, AG1 At Manifest 2025, a panel of…
Manifest Presentation: Global Ecommerce
Global Ecommerce: What It Takes to Win in a Noisy and Volatile (More Tariffs!) Global Market Tuesday, February 11th at Manifest 2025, a panel of cross-border industry experts presented on what it takes to win in a volatile market. The panel included: Maia Benson, CBO of FlavorCloud Dilip Bhattacharjee, Partner at McKinsey & Company Shawn…
Video: Maia Benson on Tariffs and Trade – February 6th, 2025
(Youtube Link) What matters: All information comes from trusted government sources. Anything with a Country of Origin (Made in China) will have an incremental 10% tariff levied against it Section 321 for Low Value Shipments, under USD $800, no longer applies to Manufactured in China goods. In other words, De minimis entry no longer applied…
New CBP Guidance: Mixed Shipments with China Country of Origin Goods Face Tariffs & Trade Hurdles
On 02/03/2025 at 07:25 PM EST, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided guidance that confirms that shipments containing products with a China (including Hong Kong) Country of Origin will be subject to new tariffs and compliance measures. It is important to note that if a mixed shipment contains one product with a China Country…
Cross-Border Chronicle | November 20th, 2024 Newsletter
2024 Holiday International Shipping Deadlines The holidays are fast approaching, and along with the festive cheer comes the challenge of meeting customer expectations for on-time delivery, especially for international shipments. FlavorCloud has compiled official holiday shipping deadlines for key regions to help you plan for seamless cross-border operations during Peak Season. So, what should you…
2024 Holiday International Shipping Deadlines
The holidays are just around the corner, which signals the start of the 2024 Peak Season! While this brings festive cheer and celebrations around the world, for merchants it can be a hectic time where demand surges, and along with it, so do customer expectations. To help you successfully navigate the 2024 holiday season, we’ve…
Welcome to the World of DDP: Build trust at checkout with transparent duties, taxes, and fees
When buyers shop internationally, the first things that often enter their brains are, “What am I going to pay for shipping?” and “Am I going to have to pay duties and fees?” Nothing makes an abandoned cart rate skyrocket like unclear or misleading shipping costs. And that’s because no shopper wants to pay expensive shipping…
2024 Peak Season Prep: Considerations for Your Global Business
They say first impressions are everything, and that’s absolutely the case in ecommerce. As we approach peak season, you’re going to be making a lot of first impressions. 52% of consumers who shop online worldwide order from both international and local retailers. In North America alone, according to the latest report from the Bureau…
8 Proven Strategies for Ecommerce Beauty Brands to Expand Globally
According to a recent report cited by Shopify, online beauty purchases are on track to surpass $88 billion by the end of 2024 and are expected to make up nearly 20% of total revenue within the beauty and personal care industry. Now more than ever, beauty brands have a chance to capitalize on these trends…
Fulfilled Recap: A Conversation About Expanding Cross-border
In June 2024, ShipBob hosted an event called Fulfilled, bringing together experts in the world of e-commerce and logistics. The event featured Rathna Sharad, CEO and founder of FlavorCloud, Arjun Sofat, a successful merchant from Free Soul, and Enda Breslin from ShipBob, all moderated by Kevin Marvinac, also from ShipBob. This dynamic panel delved into…
Cross-Border Chronicle | June 27th, 2024 Newsletter
The US is cracking down on de minimis exemptions The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is increasing enforcement of de minimis exemptions, exemptions that allowed shipments under a threshold to be admitted to the US at a low cost. This has directly affected customs clearance for 3PLs like Seko Logistics and major retailers like…
The Risks and Rewards of Dropshipping for International Orders
In the world of e-commerce, dropshipping is a business model where retailers don’t keep products in stock, instead relying on third parties to fulfill orders. For 3PLs and DTC merchants, international dropshipping offers a way to expand their reach and tap into new markets. As more consumers shop online across borders, the potential for growth…
Ship Stress Free with Insurance On Your Cross-border Shipments
Shipping anywhere in the world without stress of lost or damaged packages can be a reality for your global shipping plan. It sounds like a dream, but now FlavorCloud is offering an extra layer of protection for your international shipping with insurance that is included in your standard shipping fees. Why is insurance necessary?…
Revolutionizing Logistics with AI: Navigating Shipping Rates and Global Challenges for 3PL and DTC Logistics
The global logistics network is a puzzle of ever-changing pieces, where the mastery of shipping routes, tariffs, and regulations is key to success. For 3PLs and direct-to-consumer (DTC) merchants, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an essential tool in this game of chess. The logistics industry presents a fertile ground for technological advancements, offering numerous opportunities…
The Complete Guide to VAT and Tax Compliance for Cross-Border Shippers
Navigating the maze of Value Added Tax (VAT) and tax compliance is a daunting task for cross-border shippers. For 3PLs and direct-to-consumer (DTC) merchants, understanding the intricacies of international taxes is crucial for maintaining profitability and ensuring customer satisfaction. While this article is meant to educate on these complicated topics, it is important to note…