The abrupt end of the U.S. de minimis exemption — a policy that allowed most imports under $800 to enter duty-free — is reshaping global supply chains and forcing importers and retailers to adapt rapidly. The shift, which eliminated a key tariff advantage for low-value cross-border packages, was a major topic at a Jan. 28 industry event hosted by Supply Chain Dive and Retail Dive, where logistics experts outlined practical strategies for navigating this new trade environment.
For retailers, brands, and omnichannel supply chain leaders — especially those in hubs like Northwest Arkansas where global sourcing and distribution converge — the de minimis change represents a strategic inflection point: costs are rising, compliance is more complex, and data precision is now mission-critical. Here are four ways shippers can succeed in the post-de minimis era:
1. Get Your Data House in Order
One of the most important foundations for thriving post-de minimis is robust, accurate data. Before the change, many low-value imports bypassed detailed customs data requirements. Now, shippers must provide detailed product information, including 10-digit Harmonized System (HS) codes, precise country-of-origin data, and clear product descriptions so that customs entries are accurate and compliant.
Advanced data management not only reduces the risk of customs delays or penalties but also enables more accurate landed cost calculations — a vital input for pricing strategies and margin forecasting. Retailers that invest in proper data infrastructure and systems will be better positioned to forecast duties and avoid costly misclassifications.
2. Protect Your Margins
With duties and tariffs now applying to low-value shipments that were once exempt, protecting margins has become a priority. Experts advise shippers to first know their margins down to the SKU level and then build pricing strategies based on true landed cost — including duties, fees, freight, and customs brokerage.
Working with logistics partners to analyze total costs and rightsizing a U.S. inventory footprint can also help manage expense. For brands used to importing goods directly to consumers from overseas, evaluating the business case for greater domestic inventory — even if it increases carrying costs — may provide cost predictability and speed advantages that increasingly matter in omnichannel fulfillment.
3. Secure a Knowledgeable Customs Partner
The post–de minimis world puts even more pressure on customs expertise. Retailers and brands entering the U.S. through traditional customs flows for the first time due to the de minimis elimination should engage trusted customs partners early. Strong brokers and trade compliance experts can help ensure that duties are paid correctly and that filings are compliant.
Beyond compliance, these partners can aid in SKU rationalization — helping companies evaluate and refine their product portfolios to reduce complexity and classification difficulty while identifying potential cost savings in duty treatment.
4. Negotiate for Better Rates Across the Supply Chain
With overall import costs rising, examining contracts across carriers, logistics providers, and customs brokers is more important than ever. Negotiating optimized shipping rates and exploring volume discounts or consolidated freight agreements can help offset the tariff impact.
Shippers should identify where inefficiencies exist — whether in air cargo pricing, ocean freight contracts, or parcel carrier surcharges — and pursue opportunities to “squeeze” costs without sacrificing service. Aligning with logistics partners who understand the evolving regulatory landscape and who offer data-driven insights can be a competitive differentiator in supply chain planning.
Why the De Minimis Change Matters
The de minimis exemption had enabled nearly 1.4 billion low-value shipments into the U.S. in 2024 without duties or formal customs processing, helping fuel the growth of direct-to-consumer e-commerce and cross-border retail imports. Its elimination in August 2025 has had ripple effects across air cargo volumes, peak season planning, and retailer margins.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection now requires low-value shipments to be entered formally with full duties, taxes, and documentation, fundamentally altering landed cost economics and compliance requirements.
For omnichannel retail and logistics leaders — particularly in influential supply network centers like Bentonville — understanding and adapting to these changes is not just operationally prudent but strategically imperative. Leveraging data precision, cost visibility, and proactive partnerships will set successful shippers apart as global trade continues to evolve in 2026 and beyond.
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Dan Craft
Dan Craft
