2025 has been a year of change in global trade, putting WooCommerce agencies and merchants on the front lines. If you missed Automattic for Agencies’ recent webinar with Avalara about recent global trade and tariff shifts, don’t worry. This quick recap will get you up to speed on how policy shifts, real-world merchant impacts, and rapid regulatory upheaval are reshaping ecommerce, plus introduce practical strategies and technology, like Avalara, to help agencies guide their clients through the storm.
What we covered
During the webinar, we covered how the U.S. trade policies unfolded rapidly.
- Sweeping tariff changes: 2025 has seen dramatic tariff fluctuations, with over 618,000 trade-war tariff updates across major economies and more than 30,000 U.S. tax changes.
- “Liberation Day” tariffs: The Trump administration reinstated broad import tariffs, pausing and reactivating them multiple times throughout the year, triggering global uncertainty.
- De minimis exemption overhaul: The U.S. de minimis threshold of $800 for imports was eliminated in August 2025, reshaping how global retailers manage small parcel shipments.
- Trade tensions ripple globally: Reciprocal tariffs by the EU, Canada, China, and others raised average global tariff rates to 18.3%, disrupting established supply chains.
Real-world impact hit merchants hard.
- Corporate adaptation:
- Nike faces a $1B annual tariff burden but plans to cut Chinese sourcing to single digits by 2026.
- Amazon grew 11.6% amid reshoring trends, while Temu’s U.S. presence plunged.
- Batteries Plus reduced reliance on Chinese suppliers from 32% to 4% since 2018.
- Economic strain: The tariff war inflicted nearly $12 billion in losses on global automakers, the largest hit since the pandemic.
- Enforcement uptick: CBP collected over $166B in duties and taxes through mid-2025, with fines exceeding $3M–$8M for import compliance failures.
Merchant risks and compliance chaos grew intensely.
- Rapid regulatory change: Constant tariff revisions mean brokers and merchants must react in real time—often before receiving official guidance.
- Key compliance challenges:
- Misclassified goods and unclear origin documentation risk fines and shipment delays.
- USMCA benefits are underused due to uncertainty around eligibility rules.
- Brokers face timing risks — goods held during tariff hikes may incur higher rates.
- Operational pressures: 81% of surveyed ecommerce businesses are restructuring supply chains, turning to localized sourcing and compliance tech investments.
- Rapid rule changes → misclassification, delays, risk fines up to $8.1M (see Evolutions Flooring case).
- 55% of cross-border sellers find compliance “challenging.”
- Brokers overwhelmed; origin proof and USMCA qualification now critical.
This creates an opportunity for agencies to lead their clients through the chaos.
- Strategic advising: Agencies can help WooCommerce merchants anticipate tariff-driven costs, adjust pricing strategies, and identify compliant trade routes.
- Technology as leverage: Tools like Avalara AvaTax Cross-Border and Tariff Code Classification automate duty calculations and streamline customs documentation, while providing a more transparent checkout experience.
- Education and enablement: Agencies should encourage clients to track policy changes, validate HS codes, and prepare for “Delivered Duty Paid” (DDP) shipping for better customer experiences.
Actionable solutions with Avalara provide a clear path forward.
- Integrated compliance ecosystem: Avalara offers a one-stop global trade suite—including AvaTax Cross-Border, Tariff Code Classification, and Trade Restrictions Management.
- Avalara for WooCommerce: this direct integration helps automate tax compliance globally. From calculating tax at checkout to automating tax returns and everything in between.
- Avalara Partner Program: Create valuable experiences through product referrals, implementation services, and collaboration with Avalara.
Exclusive offer: 14-day free trial
Attendees received access to Avalara Self-Serve Tariff Code Classification — test up to 30 products with full U.S., Canada, and EU destination coverage.
Want the trial? Watch the webinar recording to receive the sign-up link and start classifying your clients’ catalogs with confidence.
Don’t let tariffs sink your clients’ margins. Equip them with accurate HS codes, real-time tax rates, and delivery duty paid-ready compliance.
Watch now and secure your free trial before it expires.
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