ShipBob Launches Bi-Coastal FTZ Warehouses as Part of “De Minimis Defense” Program

ShipBob Launches Bi-Coastal FTZ Warehouses as Part of “De Minimis Defense” Program

ShipBob, a fast-growing global logistics and fulfillment platform for SMB and mid-market e-commerce merchants, has announced its new De Minimis Defense Program. The initiative is designed to help brands prepare for the upcoming U.S. executive order ending the duty-free de minimis exemption for all imports starting August 29, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT.

Why It Matters for Merchants

The de minimis threshold has long allowed low-value imports to enter the U.S. without duties. With its removal, merchants face new costs, operational complexity, and compliance challenges—just ahead of peak holiday season. ShipBob’s program offers a set of incentives and infrastructure upgrades aimed at reducing this impact.

Key Program Features

• Onboarding to any of ShipBob’s 60+ global fulfillment centers in as little as one week.
• Up to 75% off implementation fees, plus 50% off the first inbound order via the Inventory Placement Program.
• Complimentary flights to U.S. hubs so merchants can tour facilities.
• Partner discounts on services such as tariff mitigation, HS code optimization, importer of record (IOR), manufacturer of record (MOR), and product compliance.
• Reduced inbound receiving and fulfillment rates—supported by ShipBob’s handling of more than 100 million orders annually.

More details on these benefits are outlined in ShipBob’s official announcement.

Bi-Coastal Foreign-Trade Zone Warehouses

Central to the program are new Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) facilities located near ShipBob’s hubs in California and Pennsylvania. FTZs offer merchants the ability to defer or eliminate duties, benefit from inverted tariff relief, streamline customs procedures, and improve cash flow by paying duties only when goods enter U.S. commerce.

Unlike bonded warehouses, FTZs allow indefinite storage and greater flexibility. Access to these FTZ capabilities is included for brands in the ShipBob Plus program.

The Bottom Line

As the end of de minimis looms, ShipBob is positioning itself as a key partner for brands—particularly in high-volume sectors like apparel and beauty—by offering rapid onboarding, cost-saving measures, and advanced duty-deferral options. For merchants navigating these regulatory changes, the new program could help protect margins and keep cross-border commerce flowing.