For many eCommerce businesses, tariffs are feeling like one of the biggest wild cards in international shipping. As trade policy shifts and newly proposed tariffs become reality, more companies are finding themselves caught off guard, facing unexpected duties and rising costs they didn’t plan for.
If your business ships imported goods such as apparel, electronics, pharmaceuticals, or luxury items, you’ve likely seen how fast things can get complicated. One vague product description, a default HS code, or a missing exemption can be all it takes to trigger higher tariffs or a stalled delivery.
Tariff changes aren’t slowing down, either. From U.S. tariffs on Canada and the European Union to retaliatory tariffs, exemptions, and policy changes tied to national security or domestic production, volatility now feels like the norm. And it doesn’t just show up on your balance sheet, it also affects your customer experience, delivery speed, and pricing power.
That’s where we come in. At ePost Global, we work with high-volume shippers to reduce tariff exposure without slowing things down. Because once a shipment is flagged, you’ve already lost time and possibly a customer. We’d rather keep you ahead of the curve.
Understanding Tariff Exposure: The Basics
Tariff exposure occurs when your shipment gets hit with unexpected import duties, usually because something went wrong with classification, documentation, or sourcing. It’s about delays, compliance headaches, and frustrated customers as much as it is about cost.
Lately it’s becoming more difficult to avoid. Countries including the U.S., Canada, and those in the European Union are adjusting tariff policies more frequently in response to changing trade agreements, national security concerns, or domestic production goals. Even categories once considered low-risk are facing increased scrutiny.
One of the most important things to track is de minimis thresholds, which is the value limit under which imported goods can enter duty-free. Staying below that baseline means lower tariffs and faster clearance. Go a few dollars over, and your shipment might get flagged for specific tariffs, extra paperwork, or even a delay at customs.
At ePost Global, we’ve found that more than 70% of shipments fall into tariff-sensitive categories. That means a small misstep, such as using a default HS code or leaving out key origin details, can have a big impact. In a trade environment this volatile, managing tariff exposure is vital.
Where Tariff Exposure Hides: Common Risk Areas
Tariff exposure doesn’t always come from a glaring error. More often than not, it hides in the everyday details, like the HS code that doesn’t quite fit or the miscalculated value that bumps you over the de minimis threshold. These small slip-ups can quietly increase your tariff impact without you even realizing it.
Here are some of the most common places tariff exposure hides:
1. Incorrect HS codes
Relying on default classifications, especially from automated marketplace tools, can land your imported goods in the wrong category. A mislabeled accessory or component could shift U.S. imports from a standard 8% rate to a steep 18% or higher. That’s a big price to pay for a small mistake.
2. Vague product descriptions
Customs agencies want specifics. Generic language on your customs forms increases the chance of inspection, reclassification, or delay. The more accurate your data, down to the SKU, the better your odds of clearing without hassle.
3. Unclear country of origin documentation
Inaccurate or incomplete country of origin details can trigger higher tariffs, especially as tariff levels shift based on trading partners. With policy changes affecting Canada and the European Union, among others, this key detail can’t be left to guesswork.
4. Overstepping de minimis thresholds
Small errors in declared value or product bundling can push you past the threshold for duty-free treatment. Suddenly, what should’ve been a lower-tariff or exempt shipment falls under specific tariffs, and the costs (and delays) follow.
A shipment of apparel misclassified under the wrong tariff policy, for example, may get slapped with a 25% duty when it could’ve qualified for lower tariffs or exemptions. Or take a batch of U.S. goods headed to the EU: Miss one data point, and you lose out on IOSS benefits, resulting in retaliatory tariffs and holdups at the border.
7 Ways We Help Clients Reduce Tariff Exposure
1. We Classify Products with Precision
In global trade, the wrong HS code is one of the most common causes of tariff increases, sometimes adding 25%—or more—to your landed cost without warning.
That’s why we don’t take shortcuts. Our team systematically assigns HS codes based on product-level detail, current tariff policy, and the latest customs requirements.
We make sure:
- Every description is detailed, accurate, and customs-friendly
- HS codes reflect the right duty bracket without automated guesses
- Country of origin and retail value are clearly documented
For repeat products, we maintain digital documentation libraries, minimizing errors and delays for recurring shipments. It’s a streamlined approach designed for international trade at scale, especially for businesses managing high-risk categories such as apparel or electronics.
2. We Leverage De Minimis Thresholds Across Markets
De minimis thresholds are one of the most overlooked tools in managing import tariffs. When used correctly, they can lead to lower tariffs, faster clearance, and more competitive pricing.
Here’s how we make them work to your advantage:
- Leverage de minimis values by understanding each country’s limits
- Recommend promotional strategies that keep average order values duty-friendly
Our proven approach works : 97% of our clients’ SKUs fall under the EU’s €150 de minimis threshold, unlocking a real opportunity to bypass certain trade barriers and reduce costs.
3. We Build Country of Origin into Every Shipment Plan
Tariff rates aren’t just about product category, but also about where a product comes from. That’s why we help clients build smarter sourcing strategies from the ground up.
When planning international shipments, we guide clients to:
- Source from countries that fall under active free trade agreements
Evaluate the tariff impact of alternative suppliers or regions - Weigh the pros and cons of cost vs. origin-related exposure
This matters more than ever as trade agreements shift and new tariffs target specific countries. For example, a product sourced from Country A might be tariff-free under USMCA, while the same item from Country B faces a 15% duty under anti-dumping measures. We help clients navigate those distinctions in advance, not after the shipment’s already in motion.
4. We Match Carrier and Route to Product Value Density
Shipping strategy isn’t one-size-fits-all. The value-to-weight ratio of your product—known as value density—plays a major role in determining the most cost-effective and compliant way to ship internationally.
We help clients assess the right carrier and lane based on the product itself:
- High-value density goods (like pharmaceuticals or consumer electronics) are often a better fit for faster, premium services where speed protects value.
- Lower-value density goods (like apparel or books) may benefit more from economical ground or consolidated air options, unless speed is mission-critical.
To be clear—any product can go express. But we help clients make that decision strategically, not by default. For example, paying for express shipping on a low-margin item can erode profitability without providing a meaningful delivery benefit.
By matching the right mode to the right product, we reduce unnecessary spend and help ensure shipments are properly documented and routed, minimizing misclassification risks and avoiding unnecessary customs scrutiny along the way.
5. We Proactively Flag Tariff-Sensitive Categories
Some categories draw more attention than others at the border. Apparel, electronics, luxury goods, and industrial parts are frequent targets for specific tariffs and enforcement scrutiny.
We flag these from the start and give them the extra review they require:
- Stricter classification reviews to avoid accidental tariff increases
- Pre-clearance protocols to limit inspection risks
- Modeling tools that help clients see tariff impact before changes hit
When U.S. tariffs or proposed tariffs shift unexpectedly, as they often do, our clients aren’t scrambling to adjust. They’re ready, informed, and protected from nasty surprises.
6. We Streamline Documentation to Clear Customs Faster
Bad documentation is another primary reason shipments get delayed or overcharged.
We focus on the four most critical fields for every package:
- HS code
- Product description
- Retail value
- Country of origin
We also build item-level templates for frequent shippers and support IOSS registration for hassle-free EU clearance.
By getting this right up front, we help our clients stay compliant even when tariff levels rise or trade policy shifts. It’s one of the fastest ways to avoid unnecessary inspections and fees.
7. We Use Data to Keep Everything Moving
You shouldn’t wait until customs flags a problem to fix it. Our near real-time dashboards help clients monitor shipments and adjust proactively before issues cause delays.
We track:
- Live package movement
- Customs hold times
- Changing trade policy, including exemptions and proposed tariffs
When sudden tariff changes affect U.S. imports or consumer prices, we’re already in motion rerouting or updating documentation to avoid delays.
In a time of intense trade volatility, that kind of agility makes the difference between on-time delivery and operational headaches.
Don’t Let Tariffs Slow You Down
Tariff exposure doesn’t have to derail your supply chain or your growth. With smarter classification, airtight documentation, and route planning that accounts for value density and risk, you can stay compliant with today’s tariff levels without sacrificing delivery speed.
At ePost Global, we help businesses navigate policy changes, avoid unnecessary import tariffs, and stay competitive no matter how unpredictable U.S. trade or global regulations get. Whether you’re shipping to trading partners like the EU and Canada or expanding into new markets farther afield, we’ll help you reduce risk while keeping customers happy.
Don’t wait for the next wave of tariff changes to find out your current strategy isn’t working. Let’s take a closer look at your shipping strategy and find real ways to ship smarter. Contact ePost Global today for a personalized logistics and tariff exposure review.
