Until 2025, many cross-border sellers shipped individual parcels worth under USD 800 duty-free under Section 321 "de minimis". That route is gone: the exemption is suspended, and legislation sets a July 2027 end date even if court challenges succeed.
Three ways to sell into the US now
| Model | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk to US warehouse | Ship cartons or containers by sea/air, clear once, fulfil from a 3PL or Amazon FBA | Sellers with steady volume |
| DDP parcels | Each parcel cleared with duties prepaid by the seller's IOR | Low volume, high-value items |
| Marketplace programmes | Marketplace or its partners handle import | Sellers inside a specific platform |
Why bulk usually wins on cost
Clearing one shipment of 500 units costs far less in entry fees and broker charges than clearing 500 parcels. Duties are the same per unit, but processing costs and the risk of parcel holds fall sharply.
What to prepare
- HTS codes and values per SKU for formal entry.
- A compliant IOR — see 2026 IOR rules.
- Product compliance (FDA, CPSC, FCC) where applicable.
- FBA or 3PL labelling before export — see shipping to Amazon FBA.
We consolidate e-commerce cargo in Vietnam and deliver DDP to US warehouses and Amazon. Ask for a bulk-vs-parcel comparison.