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A third party logistics provider handles warehousing, inventory management, fulfillment and shipping.

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Ecommerce fulfillment covers order processing, picking, packing and delivery.

Business Growth and Import Policy Changes 2025

3PL Delivery International Shipping eCommerce Trend

Table of Content

Trade Regulations Across Key Markets

Local Warehousing and Distribution

Cross-border eCommerce has become vital to global trade, with China exports dominating international markets through their exceptional value proposition. Data from U.S Congress reveals a dramatic surge in China exports of low-value single parcels, rising from $5.3 billion in 2018 to $66 billion in 2023 – a twelve-fold increase that demonstrates the sector’s explosive growth. However, recent shifts in geopolitical dynamics and increasing protectionist policies have led to stricter import controls worldwide, particularly targeting China exports products. These regulatory changes present unprecedented challenges for cross-border merchants.

In this e+Solutions eCommerce Logistics Guide, we’ll examine the key regulatory measures across major markets and provide practical strategies to help merchants maintain stable business growth in today’s rapidly evolving trade environment.

Trade Regulations Across Key Markets

1.United States

As the world’s largest consumer market, U.S. trade policies significantly influence international trade patterns. Early 2025 has seen the implementation of several critical measures targeting China imports:

Date	Policy Changes
February 1, 2025	Trump issues executive order imposing additional 10% tariff on China imports Plans to eliminate “de minimis” for China imports under USD$800
February 4, 2025	New tariff measures take effect
February 7, 2025	Temporary continuation of “de minimis” due to implementation challenges Duty-free status maintained for packages under USD$800
March 4, 2025	Further increase in tariffs on China imports to 20%
April 2, 2025	Introduction of “reciprocal tariffs” across multiple countries with 10% baseline 34% tariff on China imports, bringing total effective rate to 54% “De minimis” to be eliminated from May 2
April 9, 2025	Additional 50% tariff imposed on China imports in response to China’s countermeasures, bringing cumulative tariff rate to 104%, which was adjusted to 125% within one day For de minimis shipments: duties set at 90% of declared value or USD$75, scheduled to increase to USD$150 after June 1st
April 10, 2025	90-day suspension of “reciprocal tariffs” on non-Chinese countries, with unified rate reduction to 10% Clarification regarding the tariff on China imports being 145%, this is calculated based on the original 20% tariff, with an additional 125% tariff to reach the total.
April 11, 2025	De minimis shipment duties announced at 120% of declared value or USD$100, effective May 2nd, increasing to USD$200 after June 1st
May 14, 2025	De minimis shipment duties reduced to 54% or USD$100, cancelling the planned increase to USD$200 after June 1st 90-day suspension of 24% reciprocal tariff implementation for China China import tariffs reduced from 145% to 30%

The U.S. has also implemented strict controls on specific products, with tariffs ranging from 25% to 100% on electronic components including solar silicon crystals and polysilicon materials. Starting April 2 and May 3 respectively, US. President Trump imposed 25% tariffs on all imported vehicles and automotive parts. Beyond increasing customs clearance costs for Chinese goods, the US-China trade war has significantly impacted merchants’ product pricing and profit margins, accelerating the restructuring of global supply chains.

2.Indonesia

Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, has intensified efforts to protect domestic businesses in recent years. As early as January 2020, the government drastically reduced the tax-free threshold for eCommerce goods from $75 to $3 to curb the influx of low-priced foreign products.

To strengthen market regulation, Indonesia banned social media platforms from conducting eCommerce operations in September 2023, affecting major platforms like TikTok, to prevent overseas eCommerce platforms from capturing market share through aggressive pricing strategies. In June 2024, authorities proposed imposing tariffs of up to 200% on consumer goods including footwear, apparel, textiles, cosmetics and ceramics. While this proposal has not yet been formally implemented, its eventual enforcement would significantly impact imports primarily from Bangladesh, China and Vietnam.

3.Vietnam

While Vietnam’s eCommerce market has experienced rapid growth, regulatory oversight has become increasingly stringent. On December 5, 2024, the Vietnamese government took a firm stance against Chinese eCommerce platforms. Major shopping platform Temu was ordered to cease operations for failing to complete business registration procedures, while Shein closed its local website, maintaining only its international platform for Vietnamese users.

trade regulations reciprocal tariffs cross-border logistics

4.European Union

The EU is gradually tightening import controls on non-EU countries. In eCommerce, authorities plan to eliminate the tax exemption threshold for goods under 150 euros, similar to the U.S. approach. They also intend to impose additional handling fees on direct-to-consumer eCommerce imports to address the growing volume of eCommerce packages and associated customs clearance and regulatory costs.

Regarding customs supervision, the EU will fully implement the next-generation Import Control System (ICS2) starting April 1, 2025. The new system covers all transport modes, including air, ocean, inland waterway, rail and road transport. By September 1, ICS2 will completely replace the ICS1 system. Merchants must submit detailed Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) before goods arrive, enabling customs to effectively identify high-risk cargo and combat non-compliance.

Additionally, the EU began implementing anti-subsidy duties of up to 35.3% on Chinese electric vehicle exports in late October 2024. Combined with existing tariffs, the effective tax rate for some products reaches 45.3%.

Local Warehousing and Distribution

As countries tighten import policies, particularly with the U.S. imposing substantial tariffs on Chinese goods, exporting from China to foreign markets presents numerous challenges. To expand into overseas markets and overcome trade restrictions, merchants from China and Hong Kong need to adapt their operational strategies. Establishing local warehouses in target markets emerges as a viable solution.

Merchants can transport goods in bulk via air or ocean freight to local warehouses, then process individual orders through pick and pack, and delivery based on actual demand. This approach streamlines customs procedures while accelerating order processing and delivery times, ultimately enhancing the customer experience.

Most importantly, this operational model enables merchants to monitor local inventory effectively and respond flexibly to market changes. Through real-time inventory management, businesses can adjust local stock levels according to product demand, maintaining competitive advantages in a complex trade environment.

e+Solutions One-Stop Support

As a professional eCommerce logistics service provider, ePlus leverages the parent company’s over 55 years of international logistics experience to provide comprehensive cross-border logistics solutions for businesses:

Freight and Customs Clearance Support

We offer diverse shipping options, including air and ocean freight, ensuring goods reach their destination in the most cost-effective manner. Our professional customs clearance team is well-versed in customs regulations across different regions, helping businesses complete customs procedures smoothly and avoid unnecessary delays.

Warehousing and Order Fulfillment

We own a network of warehouses in key markets, all complying with international quality management standards, providing reliable warehouse management services for merchants. Our professional team carefully processes each order according to specific client requirements, from pick and pack to last-mile delivery. Through our comprehensive logistics network, we arrange courier services to ensure goods are delivered to consumers safely and on time.

Foreign Importer of Record Service

For businesses that have not yet established overseas companies, we provide Foreign Importer of Record (FIR) services, helping enterprises obtain local importer qualifications. This ensures smooth customs clearance of goods, allowing merchants to focus on business development without concerns.

In the rapidly evolving cross-border trade environment, choosing the right logistics partner can be a game-changer for business growth. With years of cross-border logistics experience, ePlus is committed to providing reliable one-stop logistics support, helping merchants overcome market restrictions and make steady progress in international trade, creating new milestones.