3PL Delivery International Shipping Inventory Management eCommerce Logistic eCommerce Trend

Table of Content

Is the US$800 De Minimis Rule Really Over? What Sellers Must Know Now?

How Will the New Tariff Rules Hit Cross-Border Businesses?

Direct Mail or U.S. Warehouses? Which Strategy Saves You More in 2026?

Amazon AWD Changed Its Policy – Are Your Large Products Still Eligible for Inbound?

Why Are U.S. 3PL Warehouses the Smarter Alternative Now?

ePlus One-Stop Cross-Border eCommerce Logistics Solutions

FAQ about U.S. Tariffs Policy & Cross-Border eCommerce

The U.S. market has always been a cornerstone for cross-border eCommerce sellers, but the local eCommerce logistics landscape is undergoing a major transformation. Beginning in 2025, the U.S. government gradually tightened and has now indefinitely suspended the US$800 De Minimis duty-free policy, officially ending the era of tax-free direct mail for small overseas parcels. All imported goods are now subject to U.S. tariffs. Concurrently, Amazon AWD (Amazon Warehousing & Distribution) implemented strict size and weight restrictions starting July 31, 2026, no longer accepting large and non-sortable SKUs (Stock Keeping Units).

In this edition of the e+Solutions eCommerce Logistics Guide, we’ll analyze these policy shifts and explore how eCommerce businesses can leverage U.S. 3PL overseas warehouses to maintain stable growth.

Is the US$800 De Minimis Rule Really Over? What Sellers Must Know Now?

What is De Minimis?

  • De Minimis is a U.S. administrative exemption that historically allowed goods valued at US$800 or less per recipient per day to enter duty-free. This policy long served as the operational foundation for cross-border eCommerce direct-mail duty-free small parcels.

Latest Regulatory Status

  • August 29, 2025: A U.S. Presidential Executive Order officially suspended De Minimis duty-free treatment for all countries.
  • June 24, 2026: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) formally incorporated this measure into federal regulations indefinitely, applying it to all import channels, including international postal networks.

Key Takeaways: All commercial goods entering the United States must now be declared and subject to applicable duties; private gifts (≤ US$100) and personal traveller effects remain exempt.

How Will the New Tariff Rules Hit Cross-Border Businesses?

  1. Rising Shipping Costs: Direct-mail parcels incur extra customs clearance fees and duties, squeezing profit margins.
  2. Customs Delays: U.S. air hubs process massive daily parcel volumes, making complex procedures prone to bottlenecks.
  3. Degraded Buyer Experience: Using DDU/DAP shipping models may result in customers being hit with unexpected fees upon delivery, triggering package rejections and negative reviews.
歐盟關稅 歐盟海關改革 跨境電商 歐洲市場 增值稅 VAT EU Customs Reform EUCR cross-border eCommerce Online merchants VAT EORI

Direct Mail or U.S. Warehouses? Which Strategy Saves You More in 2026?

To protect profit margins, cross-border sellers are shifting from a reactive “ship-per-order” direct-mail model to a bulk-stocking model utilizing U.S. overseas warehouses.

Feature Traditional Direct Mail U.S. 3PL Overseas Warehouse
Import Method Thousands of individual B2C express parcels Bulk B2B shipments via ocean freight or air freight
Customs Clearance Individual declaration per package; high fees & complex paperwork One-time clearance per container or pallet, lowering marginal cost
Landed Cost High per-unit express air shipping rates Bulk freight cost split across units, significantly reducing unit shipping cost
U.S. Delivery Time 7–14 days for cross-border transit 1–5 days via local U.S. domestic couriers
Supported Sales Channels Restricted to individual B2C online store orders Multi-channel support: eCommerce platforms, Amazon FBA, B2B replenishment, etc.

Amazon AWD Changed Its Policy – Are Your Large Products Still Eligible for Inbound?

What is Amazon AWD, and how does it differ from FBA?

AWD New Restrictions: Small Products Only

  • Effective July 31, 2026, Amazon AWD only accepts products that meet all of the following criteria simultaneously:
    • Length < 18 inches
    • Width < 14 inches
    • Height < 8 inches
    • Weight < 20 lbs
  • If any dimension exceeds these limits (e.g., home appliances, furniture, sports equipment, large household goods), creating an AWD inbound shipment order is no longer possible.

Seller Solution

  • When bulk shipments are imported into the US, goods can be delivered to ePlus‘ US warehouse and replenished to FBA in batches based on actual sales velocity, helping sellers avoid costly Amazon long-term storage fees and inbound placement fees.

Why Are U.S. 3PL Warehouses the Smarter Alternative Now?

  1. Lower Landing Costs: Bulk ocean freight combined with local warehousing yields average per-item shipping costs far below cross-border direct mail.
  2. Faster Local Delivery: Pre-stocking goods in U.S. warehouses allows local delivery speeds that drastically outperform cross-border parcels, improving conversion rates.
  3. Flexible Multi-Channel Fulfillment: Simultaneously handle Shopify, Amazon, and eBay orders, FBA replenishment, B2B restocking, and local returns.
  4. Comprehensive Value-Added Services: Pick-and-pack, custom packaging, kitting, relabeling, and pre-shipment quality inspections.
海外倉 歐洲倉 跨境物流 跨境包裹 overseas warehouse European warehouse cross-border logistics EU parcels

ePlus One-Stop Cross-Border eCommerce Logistics Solutions

Navigating the post-de-minimis environment requires a logistics partner capable of seamlessly connecting international freight with local warehouse distribution.

Backed by parent company UFL Group’s 58 years of international freight forwarding experience, ePlus offers online merchants an end-to-end logistics support:

  • Integrated Bulk Freight & Clearance: Comprehensive air/ocean import forwarding and customs brokerage services.
  • U.S. Overseas Warehouse Network: Strategically positioned fulfillment centers in major U.S. hubs, including Los Angeles (West Coast) and Chicago (Midwest), to maximize local delivery efficiency.
  • Smart Logistics System: Real-time inventory level tracking, automated order processing, and expiry date alerts.
  • End-to-End Fulfillment Services: Professional pick-and-pack, local courier dispatch coordination, re-labeling, and hassle-free domestic returns management.

Whether you are adapting to U.S. tariff policy shifts or expanding your American footprint, ePlus empowers your brand to transition smoothly from parcel mail to a resilient, inventory-led U.S. market strategy.

FAQ about U.S. Tariffs Policy & Cross-Border eCommerce

No. The duty-free policy was suspended in August 2025 and officially and indefinitely canceled by U.S. Customs in June 2026. All commercial goods entering the U.S. must be declared and taxed regardless of value. ePlus‘ one-stop cross-border logistics solutions allow sellers to bulk-import goods to U.S. overseas warehouses and clear customs all at once, saving time and expense.

Amazon AWD exclusively accepts compact items measuring under 18 × 14 × 8 inches and weighing under 20 lbs. Oversized items are disqualified. Large or heavy items (e.g., appliances, furniture, fitness gear) can utilize ePlus U.S. overseas warehouses as a buffer to store bulk stock and replenish FBA incrementally, avoiding expensive Amazon storage penalties.

U.S. overseas warehouses enable bulk B2B customs clearance, eliminating complex per-parcel procedures and high tariffs. Local transit times outpace cross-border shipping while supporting return processing, FBA replenishment, and multi-channel fulfillment.

Tariffs are assessed based on the product’s HTS Code and corresponding tax rate, potentially compounded by special duties like Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods. Sellers should consult forwarders or customs brokers early to accurately calculate landing costs.

No. Amazon has stated that existing oversized inventory will remain and auto-replenish FBA until sold out. Inbound orders created before July 31, 2026, will also be accepted, though new replenishment orders for oversized SKUs cannot be created.

ePlus operates overseas warehouses in Los Angeles (West Coast) and Chicago (Midwest), offering close proximity to major ports and arterial transport routes to efficiently cover both U.S. coasts while flexibly supporting FBA and local distribution needs.

Read More：

Cross-Border eCommerce: EU Customs Reform 2026 — End of De Minimis & Seller Strategies

Cross-Border eCommerce: Solving the 4 Major Logistics Pain Points of TikTok Live Commerce

Cross-Border eCommerce: How to Build a Risk-Resistant Supply Chain Under Geopolitical Conflicts?

Encountering any e-Commerce logistics troubles? e+Solutions can help you! From goods storage and management, handling and packaging, to arranging last-mile, we can meet all your logistics needs while allowing you to operate an online store easily

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