The evolution of eCommerce in the U.S.A. continues to be influenced by political decisions, and Amazon is no exception.
In a context marked by the increase in tariffs promoted by the administration of Donald Trump, the company led by Jeff Bezos is compelled to modify its business model. Specifically, the change is reflected in its platform Amazon Haul, a space dedicated to offering low-cost products from manufacturers in China.
Amazon Haul was launched with the proposal of offering a wide variety of products, from technological accessories to household items, with prices ranging from $1.10 to $22 and additional discounts of 5% on orders of $55 or more, or 10% on orders of $82.50.
The initial concept seemed very attractive to U.S. buyers, as it implied an opportunity to acquire low-cost products directly from China, with delivery times of up to two weeks. However, the recent changes in U.S. tariff policy have altered this model.
The Trump administration imposed a series of tariffs on products imported from China, which has particularly affected platforms such as Amazon Haul. In its original format, Haul depended on a legal loophole where products valued under $880 were exempt from tariffs. This regime, known as the de minimis exemption, has been an advantage for companies like Temu, Shein, and Amazon, which benefited from lower tax rates.
However, the end of the exemption is scheduled for May 2, 2025, posing a serious challenge for these platforms.
With the threat of new tariffs, Amazon has decided to modify part of its strategy to avoid additional costs by offering products from its own warehouses in the U.S.A., which will allow it to bypass the additional tariffs that would affect products coming directly from China. This adjustment involves incorporating known brands, such as Levi’s, Adidas, and Gap, which already have inventory in U.S. warehouses.
Although this strategy might be effective in the short term, the real challenge for Amazon will be to maintain attractive prices without losing competitiveness against other platforms like Temu or Shein, which continue to operate under the international shipping model from China. This measure also responds to an urgent need to maintain its customer base, who may see how the costs of products increase due to the new tariffs.
The impact of U.S. trade policies does not only affect Amazon but also a range of eCommerce platforms that rely on the model of international shipments with low import costs. As U.S. consumers face more expensive products, alternatives like Temu and Shein might be forced to rethink their own business models. The key question is whether the consumer will be willing to pay more for low-cost products from China, or if the Amazon Haul model, with its emphasis on locally stored products, will become the preferred option.
Photo: Depositphotos and Canva
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