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Logistics Pulse Newsletter— De Minimis Crackdown, Dim Weight Hikes, and a New Tariff Wave
Welcome to Logistics Pulse
This week’s top news in trucking and logistics
From rising tariffs to delivery overhauls, the logistics landscape is getting squeezed on multiple fronts. As policymakers target cross-border e-commerce and legacy trade deals, companies are racing to adapt last-mile operations, pricing models, and labor strategy. Whether you’re shipping across oceans or across town, the message is clear: agility and foresight are no longer optional; they’re your edge.
The End of Duty-Free: How the De Minimis Crackdown is Rewiring Global E-Commerce
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Top articles this week
De Minimis Disrupted: Global E-Commerce Feels the Squeeze
The long-standing U.S. de minimis exemption, which lets packages under $800 bypass duties, is now under bipartisan fire. Lawmakers say it’s a loophole exploited by Chinese sellers, while major players like DHL warn of direct financial hits—potentially trimming their U.S. profits by 3%. For consumers and small merchants, the change could mean surprise fees or longer delivery times, upending the seamlessness of global e-commerce. Brands reliant on low-cost, cross-border fulfillment may face a reckoning.
How are shippers recalibrating fulfillment and pricing strategies in response to this regulatory shift?
US to levy another 25% tariff on India imports
The U.S. will impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports starting August 27, doubling down on earlier reciprocal duties. Framed as a national security response to India’s ties with Russia, the move raises total tariffs to 50%—a sharp escalation that could strain trade ties and reroute supply chains. While intended to pressure geopolitical alignment, the risk for U.S. importers is rising costs and reduced sourcing flexibility. For Indian exporters, it could accelerate a pivot away from U.S. markets.
Will logistics leaders adapt by reshoring, rerouting, or simply absorbing the cost?
Read more on Supply Chain Dive
UPS matches FedEx with dimensional weight change
UPS will soon round up package dimensions to the nearest inch—mirroring a recent FedEx move. The result: higher shipping costs, especially for bulky but lightweight parcels. This change reflects a broader push to align pricing with space consumption rather than weight alone. It's also a signal to e-commerce sellers: packaging optimization is no longer a nice-to-have. As carriers get stricter about profit per cubic foot, small inefficiencies now carry big financial consequences.
Will this push sellers toward smarter packaging—or toward alternative carriers and fulfillment models?
Read more on Supply Chain Dive
In Other News
Tractor Supply Expands Last-Mile Ops
The retailer is investing in dedicated delivery trucks and local partnerships to reduce cart abandonment and boost revenue, a bet that rural last-mile service pays off .
LNG Exports Hit a Shipbuilding Snag
New U.S. energy deals boost LNG export targets, but a lack of U.S.-built tankers threatens to stall delivery.
Container Rates Hold Firm Amid Tariff Deadline
Trans-Pacific rates remained steady despite the latest U.S. tariff deadline, suggesting muted market response from both shippers and carriers.
Rail Merger Raises Labor Alarm
The union representing U.S. rail workers warns of major job losses if Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merge, despite promises of long-term network efficiencies.
Private Equity Bets Big on Rail
An infrastructure fund is acquiring the largest U.S. regional railroad for $1B, signaling strong investor confidence in domestic freight corridors.
Small decline in benchmark diesel price against a backdrop of falling futures numbers