Trump ends the $800 De Minimis Exemption | Upside #49

In this episode of Upside, Ali & Zamir break down a massive change that could blindside thousands of UK and EU sellers shipping into the US: the end of the $800 de minimis exemption. Starting August 29th, shipments into the US from the UK and beyond will no longer qualify for duty-free entry, meaning brands could suddenly face hefty taxes and fees per parcel.What’s Covered in This EpisodeFor years, UK and EU sellers have relied on the de minimis rule to ship products under $800 into the US without paying duties. But with the rule scrapped—following earlier restrictions on China—sellers who don’t adapt risk surprise bills in the tens of thousands.Ali & Zamir explain how this change mirrors the chaos of Brexit and why many small online retailers are especially vulnerable. Using a real-world case from one of their brands (where 25% of revenue comes from US sales), they outline the costly risks of continuing “business as usual” and reveal practical steps to safeguard revenue streams.Listeners will learn the ins and outs of compliance—sales tax, EORI-style IDs, US labeling, and returns—while also hearing how this shift might actually be turned into an opportunity to level up operations for better customer experience.Key TakeawaysDe minimis exemption ends August 29th: UK and EU parcels to the US will no longer be duty-free.Big financial risk: Sellers could face $80–$200 per parcel in fees plus duties, making direct shipping unviable.3PL or Amazon FBA required: To continue US sales, bulk-ship into the US and fulfill via a third-party logistics provider or Amazon’s multi-channel fulfillment.Sales tax compliance is mandatory: Sellers holding US stock must register with tools like TaxJar, Avalara, or Outpost.US-compliant packaging & returns: Labeling, FDA requirements (for food/beauty), and a local returns address are essential.Silver lining: US-based stock means faster delivery, higher conversion, and the potential to scale revenue.To access more insights on building sustainable online businesses and avoiding common pitfalls in the reselling world, visit https://thiswayup.online/resources.