Today’s 13:00 Freight Pulse: New Shipping Law Changes Explained in Under 2 Minutes

The shipping landscape just shifted. Effective this month, the U.S. government has permanently suspended duty-free de minimis treatment for commercial e-commerce under Executive Order 14324, while the EU is days away from ending its €150 customs exemption.

The De Minimis Death Sentence

For years, brands relied on Section 321 to clear low-value parcels duty-free. That era is over. As of June 2026, every commercial e-commerce shipment entering the U.S. is subject to ordinary tariffs plus a mandatory 10% Section 122 surcharge. Importers must now file formal or informal entries for all goods, regardless of value. This isn't a temporary spike; it’s a codified regulatory floor that will permanently increase your landed costs.

EU Market Contraction

Across the Atlantic, the EU’s removal of the €150 duty exemption starts July 1st. Simultaneously, ICS2 version 3 is now the mandatory standard for all pre-arrival data. If your data isn't clean before the goods hit the water or air, expect immediate seizures and heavy fines. For brands shipping globally, the "low-value" loophole has been completely closed on both sides of the ocean.

Liability and Compliance at Home

Domestic shifts are equally sharp. A recent Supreme Court ruling has expanded freight broker liability, allowing state-level negligence claims for carrier selection. This puts a massive spotlight on your 3PL Maryland partner's vetting processes. Whether you’re utilizing a Glen Burnie warehouse for local distribution or a food-grade warehouse for sensitive inventory, your provider’s documentation must be airtight to shield you from vicarious liability.

Why Structure Matters Now

As a Hazmat certified 3PL, Lanta Logistics integrates these regulatory shifts into our daily operations. Our Mid-Atlantic fulfillment centers leverage real-time visibility to ensure every shipment: whether moving through the I-95 corridor or the Port of Baltimore: meets these new stringent documentation standards.

Takeaway: Audit your landed-cost models immediately to account for the new 10% surcharges and ensure your logistics partner has the structured compliance to handle the end of de minimis; contact Lanta Logistics to safeguard your bottom line.