Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce

CBP Softens Type 13 For Now: PGA Rejects Become Warnings | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #87

CBP just quietly made Type 13 a lot easier to file. A new Federal Register notice modifies the Type 13 test to permit entries into ACE with or without electronic Partner Government Agency data — turning what used to be hard rejects into warnings. In this episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos’ Head of Global Trade Strategy, work through what the notice actually says and what it changes for postal operators, brokers, and shippers between now and January 20. They cover what CBP’s priority really is (getting entries into ACE rather than onto a spreadsheet), why the warnings are useful on their own — a running map of where your data gaps actually are — and why there isn’t a good operational reason to stay on the spreadsheet when the Type 13 door is open. The conversation also gets into how CBP has been treating brokers on a curve for a while, what that looks like in practice when one party moves 80%+ of postal volume into the U.S., and why the January 20 deadline is still a deadline — not a finish line. 🎧 A short, direct read on how to use the next three months well. Chapters [00:00:00] Aaron is back — mustache and all [00:00:38] Where we left off: Type 13 pushed to January 20 [00:00:45] The Federal Register notice that just dropped [00:01:19] Why October 22 would have been painful without a change [00:03:04] What the new notice actually permits [00:04:15] Dad joke: why are ghosts bad liars? [00:04:29] CBP’s real priority: get entries into ACE [00:05:25] Hard rejects become warnings [00:06:21] Why there’s no good reason to stay on the spreadsheet [00:07:38] The 80% volume signal and how CBP’s attention shifts [00:09:32] “Graded on a curve” — what that looks like in practice [00:10:41] Use the warnings as your map [00:11:31] Why there isn’t going to be an easier moment to get ready [00:13:14] Why postal is coming to parity with commercial — globally [00:15:06] A reasonable rollout, and how to actually use it

• Transcript

Entry Type 13 Pushed to January 20: What It Means | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #86

CBP just pushed Entry Type 13 from October 22 to January 20. That’s a reprieve on the deadline — not a reprieve on enforcement. In this episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, is joined by Jan Hoelterling, Zonos’ Head of Customs Strategy, and Jonathan Sullivan, Zonos’ Chief Data Scientist, for a quick update on what the push actually changes, what it doesn’t, and how postal operators, pharmacies, and brokers should be using the extra runway. They walk through what Type 13 is at a high level (the first time all postal shipments will have an ACE entry, bringing visibility for CBP and every Partner Government Agency), the operational reasons the industry wasn’t ready for October 22 (every post office counter, every retail shipper, the ABIS and USPS systems, and the pharmaceutical lane in particular), and what the FDA’s “case-by-case” posture on personal-use pharmaceutical imports actually means in practice. The conversation then shifts to what’s still at stake: why the interim spreadsheet process is effectively a scorecard — the lower a postal operator’s spreadsheet volume, the less scrutiny they’re likely to attract — why Zonos is still filing production Type 13 entries starting October 22 even though it’s voluntary, and the two regulatory documents everyone in this space should be reading now (the 103-page NPRM for Type 13 with a December 7 comment deadline, and the ANPRM tied to EO 14141 on foreign importer of record). 🎧 If you operate a postal lane into the U.S., broker postal shipments, or ship pharmaceuticals direct to U.S. consumers, this is the one to watch. Chapters [00:00:00] Jan in for Aaron + why we’re pulling this episode together [00:00:49] Dad joke: why Aaron’s jokes are “full-grown” [00:01:16] What Entry Type 13 is at a high level [00:02:39] What visibility actually unlocks for CBP and the PGAs [00:03:21] Why Type 13 got pushed from October 22 to January 20 [00:04:41] The operational gaps: posts, ABIS, USPS, and the vendor landscape [00:06:49] Pharmaceuticals, FDA, and the “case-by-case” posture [00:08:05] What personal-use importation of medication actually requires [00:12:11] This isn’t a reprieve — party-level data still matters [00:13:33] Using the runway: integration testing before January 20 [00:13:51] Zonos is still filing production Type 13 entries October 22 [00:14:00] The spreadsheet as a scorecard — and why your volume on it matters [00:15:24] What’s actually in a basic Type 13 entry [00:17:16] The 103-page NPRM and the December 7 comment deadline [00:18:53] EO 14141 and the ANPRM — Type 13 is just the starting line [00:19:36] Why early adopters win — and why we think CBP will reward them

• Transcript

EU Product Identifiers Explained: Ready for November 1? | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #85

November 1, the EU's new product identifier requirement goes live. Every ecommerce shipment into the EU — not just low-value — will need to carry a defined set of product IDs so customs authorities can actually see what's crossing the border. In this episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, sit back down with Jonathan Sullivan, Zonos' Chief Data Scientist, for a deep dive on what this is, why the EU is asking for it, and how to be ready. They walk through the two problems the EU set out to solve with the broader customs reform (revenue via the €3 fee, visibility via these identifiers), why rich descriptions alone don't give customs the traceability it needs, and the three identifiers specifically called out in the regulation — the Merchant Product ID (your SKU), the Standard Product ID (UPC, EAN, ISBN), and the Non-Standard Product ID (the manufacturer's model number). Jonathan unpacks what makes a "good" identifier, how to handle marketplace listings (ASIN, eBay, Etsy), and the carveouts the EU built in for agricultural goods, handmade items, art, and antiques. The conversation also covers the gray areas the regs don't actually address — bundles, lots, and oneoff listings — what carriers are doing in practice (most won't accept a shipment to the EU without at least two of the three IDs), the difference between day-one grace and the longitudinal validation the EU can build over time, and how Zonos is helping across the chain: search and validation tooling for carriers, catalog sync for merchants on Shopify/eBay/Etsy, and the data pipeline that lets us pass identifiers along even when a shipping platform or postal stream doesn't have an explicit field for them yet. 🎧 If you ship into the EU, broker into the EU, or run any of the platforms in between, this is the one to watch before November 1. Chapters [00:00:00] Welcome Jonathan Sullivan back + what we're covering [00:00:49] Why product identifiers, now: the EU customs reform story [00:02:10] The EU's two objectives — revenue and visibility [00:03:00] Why descriptions alone don't solve the visibility problem [00:05:36] Dad joke: catching the fog [00:06:10] The three required identifiers at a glance [00:06:42] Merchant Product ID (MPID) — your SKU, and how to pick a good one [00:08:37] Standard Product ID (SPID) — UPC, EAN, ISBN [00:10:22] Non-Standard Product ID — the manufacturer's model number [00:12:47] Marketplace listings as the MPID (eBay, Etsy, ASIN) [00:13:34] The carveouts: agricultural, handmade, art, antiques [00:18:04] Bundles, lots, and oneoff listings — where the regs go quiet [00:23:17] What carriers are doing: 2 of 3 required, or no shipment [00:25:51] Day-one grace vs. the ongoing validation the EU can build [00:27:28] How Zonos helps: tooling for carriers, marketplaces, and the EU side [00:32:42] Operational reality: express is ready, postal is still catching up [00:35:00] Catalog sync — pulling IDs automatically from your channels [00:36:30] Only ~5% participation since July 1 — don't wait

• Transcript

PGAs 101: What Mail Shippers Need to Know About Oct 22 | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #84

Come October 22, mail shipments into the U.S. will fall under Type 13 — and for the first time ever, Partner Government Agency (PGA) data will be required on parcels that have historically flown in under the radar. In this episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, sit down with Angela Mackey, Zonos' corporate licensed customs broker, for a deep dive on what PGAs actually are, why they matter now, and how to be ready. They walk through what a PGA is and why CBP can't just enforce this on its own, why there are roughly 50 of these agencies (FDA, CPSC, EPA, Fish & Wildlife, TTB, and more), the specific data requirements that vary wildly by commodity, and the disconnect between the shipper and the broker that makes low-value ecommerce especially hard. Angela shares real examples — from hamster ovaries and crocodile leather wallets to the fact that even a ballpoint pen has EPA implications — and Aaron unpacks the state of pharmaceuticals in mail, why so much of it flows there today, and how personal-use and foreign-visitor exemptions actually work. The conversation also covers what CBP has been telling brokers who "just make it up," why enforcement is going to be graded on a curve (be better than the other guy), the 85% inference rate Zonos hits on photos in the prepay mobile app, and how businesses shipping at scale can plug in via catalog sync (Shopify, eBay, Etsy), CSV, or API to get ahead of the requirements — plus the extra upside of capturing more data (better tariffs on 232/steel-aluminum content, FTA eligibility, and cleaner clearance overall). 🎧 If you ship mail into the U.S., broker mail shipments, or run a postal lane, this is the one to watch before October 22. Chapters [00:00:00] Welcome + intro to Angela Mackey, Zonos' corporate customs broker [00:00:52] Dad joke: miniature golfers have no drive [00:01:28] Angela's background: 10+ years in customs brokerage [00:02:16] Why PGAs matter right now: Type 13 hits mail October 22 [00:03:05] What Type 13 is, and why mail has been blind until now [00:04:43] What PGAs actually do — and why customs can't do it alone [00:06:48] ~50 government agencies (yes, really) — and the top ones [00:10:26] The weird ones: hamster ovaries, crocodile wallets, ballpoint pens [00:13:20] The disconnect between shipper and broker in ecommerce [00:15:44] The 85% inference: what Zonos can and can't infer from a photo [00:20:47] Pharmaceuticals: personal use, foreign visitor, and paths of no resistance [00:27:22] After October 22: how big the mail problem could get [00:30:33] What CBP is telling brokers who "just make it up" [00:31:14] Graded on a curve — better than the next guy [00:32:09] For businesses: catalog sync, CSV, and API [00:35:11] More data = better tariffs (232, FTAs, and beyond) [00:36:38] Bonus story: switchblades and the one-armed man exemption

• Transcript

Inside CBP's Trade & Cargo Security Summit | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #83

CBP just held its Trade & Cargo Security Summit in Texas — the first one since the strengthening customs enforcement EO dropped. And the mood in the room was very different than at past conferences. In this episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, are joined by Josh Aikens, Zonos' Head of Government Affairs, for his podcast debut after 11 years at the company. Josh and Aaron were both on the ground at the summit and unpack what CBP actually said, what the industry actually felt, and where the real gap sits between the two. They walk through what a CBP-run "listening session" looks like, why the industry is more guarded and skeptical than nervous this time around, the chicken-and-egg problem (industry wants regs; CBP wants industry input before writing them), the "F word" nobody wanted to say out loud (facilitation), and how CBP is framing enforcement not as the opposite of facilitation but as what unlocks it for legitimate trade. The conversation also covers the specific asks CBP kept coming back to — know your customer, real POA paper trails, supply chain visibility all the way back — the way CTPAT is being "voluntold" as the new standard, why "graded on a curve" is the right mental model as good actors raise the bar, and why for low-value ecommerce the only realistic path to compliance is technology. 🎧 If you broker into the U.S., ship through anyone who does, or care about where CBP's enforcement posture is actually headed, this is the one to watch. Chapters [00:00:00] Welcome Josh Aikens — Zonos' man in DC [00:01:52] Setting the scene: CBP's Trade & Cargo Security Summit [00:03:29] What a CBP "listening session" actually looks like [00:05:47] The mood of the industry: guarded and nervous [00:07:34] Three brokers shut down last week — the anxiety is real [00:08:21] CBP's message: this should be a win for good actors [00:09:37] The chicken-and-egg: industry wants regs, CBP wants input first [00:11:39] Enforcement vs. facilitation — and why they're not opposites [00:15:01] What CBP is really asking for: know your customer, real POA paper trails [00:17:12] CTPAT: voluntary in name, "voluntold" in practice [00:19:20] Supply chain visibility all the way back [00:19:53] Applying it to low-value ecommerce — why technology is the only answer [00:22:05] Graded on a curve — the bar keeps moving [00:23:07] Dad joke break [00:24:04] CBP's actual end goal: security and compliance

• Transcript

A Reckoning Is Coming: Good News for the Honest | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #82

A couple months ago, Trump's executive order on customs enforcement dropped. Since then, CBP has started acting on it — and this week, a broker got shut down. Clint just wrote an open letter about what all of it means, and the title is "A Reckoning is Coming." In this episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, sit down for round two on the EO — this time zoomed out. Aaron plays interviewer and pushes Clint on the argument in his letter: that for honest shippers, brokers, and sellers, this is "the best news in a thousand years." They walk through the history that got us here (the 2016 de minimis expansion to $800 and the border-warehousing loophole it created), how bad actors have been able to spin up shell IORs and disappear, the broker story from Clint's own family business, and the broker that just got shut down this week for the same class of behavior. The conversation then turns to what the EO actually punishes — misrepresentation, undervaluation, shell companies, negligence and gross-negligence penalty multipliers, and the historical enforcement precedent (UPS $40M in 2013, FedEx $1.6B in 2014) — and what "reasonable care" looks like when your broker is the importer of record on a Type 13 entry. The conversation closes on the upside: how technology finally lets brokers reconcile order data with the entry, why honest foreign sellers actually win under this framework, why the banking industry's KYC transition is the right analogy, and why the global tide (EU declarants, de minimis removals worldwide) means Type 11 brokers should be paying attention too. 🎧 If you sell into the U.S., broker into the U.S., or ship through anyone who does, this is the one to watch. Chapters [00:00:00] Round two on the customs enforcement EO [00:01:14] Dad joke: why throw a party at a haunted house? [00:01:21] "A Reckoning Is Coming" — Clint's open letter and its surprising thesis [00:04:47] The history lesson: how the 2016 de minimis expansion created the problem [00:07:32] Clint's own broker story — an HTS code changed behind his back [00:10:36] A broker got shut down this week for the same class of behavior [00:15:00] Why this is actually great news for honest sellers — U.S. and foreign [00:16:28] What the EO punishes: penalty floors, shell companies, undervaluation [00:17:06] Enforcement history: UPS $40M, FedEx $1.6B [00:17:44] "Hands over your eyes" is not reasonable care [00:18:32] Solving undervaluation at scale — it's a technology problem [00:22:00] What good actors gain: seamless clearance and FTA savings [00:23:38] Zonos as importer of record on Type 13 — why the bar had to go up [00:29:44] The banking KYC parallel — pain now, better world after [00:32:00] The global tide: EU declarants and worldwide de minimis moves [00:32:30] Type 11 brokers should be paying attention too [00:33:12] CBP: "The race to the bottom is over" [00:34:44] Wrap-up and what's coming next

• Transcript

CBP's New Mail Entry Rule—Key Dates Importers Should Know | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #81

The other shoe just dropped. CBP released two interim final rules and a general notice today — and the way postal shipments enter the U.S. is about to change in 30 days, with a much bigger change landing this fall. In this episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, are joined by Jonathan Sullivan, Zonos' Chief Data Scientist. They walk through what each of the three CBP releases actually says — the procedural confirmation that de minimis is officially gone, the suspension of the current Qualified Party process, the new "upgraded spreadsheet" interim window for the next 90 to 120 days, and the new Entry Type 13 voluntary test coming this fall. They also unpack the calculation shift (standard duty calculations with stacking tariffs, a ~8.6% average tariff increase per CBP's own analysis, and the return of preferential trade agreements like USMCA for postal), the exceptions that don't fit the interim process (alcohol, tobacco, anti-dumping/countervailing, and quota goods), and what postal operators should be telling their customers right now. The conversation then dives into the bigger fall change: Partner Government Agency (PGA) data requirements hitting ~50% of postal shipments, the broker becoming the importer of record on Type 13, the 232/301 attestation savings hiding in shipper data, and the pre-collection (catalog sync via Dashboard Lite) and post-collection (email/WhatsApp follow-up) solutions Zonos has already built to handle this without turning every shipment into a friction point. 🎧 If you operate a postal lane into the U.S.—or ship through one—this is the episode to watch before the 30-day clock runs out. Chapters [00:00:00] Welcome Jonathan + the three things CBP just dropped [00:01:23] IFR #1: De minimis suspension, officially rubber-stamped [00:02:10] IFR #2: Qualified Party out, Type 13 in — and the interim window [00:04:34] Dad joke: why banks have drive-throughs [00:05:15] What changes in 30 days: brokers required, standard calculations, ~8.6% bump [00:06:30] FTAs return to postal — USMCA finally back in play [00:07:11] The MPF advantage postal keeps [00:08:53] Exceptions: alcohol, tobacco, anti-dumping/countervailing, quota [00:11:42] What changes this fall: Partner Government Agency data [00:13:55] Why ~50% of postal shipments are subject to a PGA [00:19:25] Broker becomes the IOR on Type 13 — a structural shift [00:19:50] Solving for PGA data: pre-collection vs. post-collection [00:22:09] Catalog sync via Dashboard Lite (Shopify, eBay, Etsy) [00:28:10] Individuals: counter UX and the prepay mobile app [00:30:25] 232/301 attestations — the savings hiding in your data [00:33:23] Type 13 is voluntary — but Type 1 means a $33 MPF [00:36:04] Don't wait — start collecting now

• Transcript

Trump's Customs Reform Executive Order, Explained | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #80

Yesterday, the EU dropped its July 1 implementation guidance. Then, at the end of the day, Trump dropped an executive order on U.S. customs reform. The deja vu just keeps coming. In this episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, are joined by Jan Hoelterling, Zonos' Head of Customs Strategy, to break down what the executive order actually says and where the real changes are landing. They walk through the central distinction the EO is drawing — U.S. importer of record vs. foreign importer of record — and how the post–de minimis world exposed loopholes that the executive order is now closing: shell companies with no U.S. footprint, $50K bonds against $500K liabilities, paper Wyoming LLCs spun up in 15 minutes, and the "B2B-TOC" wholesale-value workaround that never really passed the smell test. The conversation also covers the kill switch (foreign IORs barred from informal entries), the new IOR registry with actual teeth, accountability cascading to brokers, freight forwarders, and custodians, the wild new requirement that importers furnish foreign-country export documentation, a 50% minimum penalty floor, no mitigation for repeat offenders, faster seizures, and the 180-day clock on CBP guidance. 🎧 If you ship into the U.S. — directly or through a marketplace, consolidator, or carrier — this is the EO to understand before CBP's guidance lands. Chapters [00:00:00] The EU guidance and Trump's customs reform EO — both in 24 hours [00:00:39] Welcome Jan, and a hole-in-one dad joke [00:01:14] U.S. vs. foreign importer of record today [00:02:44] How removing de minimis exposed the IOR loopholes [00:06:31] The "why" behind the EO: accountability and closing loopholes [00:07:21] What it now takes to be a U.S. IOR — real entity, real footprint [00:10:38] The kill switch: foreign IORs barred from informal entries [00:12:42] The IOR registry, "good standing," and accountability extending to brokers and forwarders [00:15:14] The 180-day CBP guidance clock [00:16:06] Export–import documentation reconciliation: if you want to lie, you'd have to do it twice [00:18:17] Penalties, seizures, and the new enforcement teeth [00:21:11] If you've gotten creative — clean it up now [00:22:11] B2B-TOC, individual IORs, and the path forward

• Transcript

EU Customs Guidance Drops: 28 Days to July 1 | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #79

The EU just dropped its implementation guidance for the July 1 customs change — and we're now less than 30 days out. Same kind of fire drill the U.S. ran last year on qualified party, just with more pages to read and more puzzles to solve. In this episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast, Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, dig into the freshly published 32-page guidance and what it actually means for shippers, postal operators, marketplaces, and consolidators preparing for July 1, 2026. They unpack the H7 vs. H1 vs. H6 declaration types and how the €3-per-line-item fee really works (hint: it's not per parcel — it's per HS subheading, and consolidation matters), the surprise gotcha that you can't use IOSS if you want preferential trade agreement treatment, why the EU explicitly does not want carriers collecting on delivery from consumers, the postal carve-out for UPU shipments that lets origin posts designate an EU declarant, and the express-carrier scramble to collect powers of attorney from every shipper. The conversation also covers what's coming November 1 (product identifiers: manufacturer number, merchant number, and the optional standardized GTIN/EAN/UPC), the broader trend — the U.S. shifting from qualified party to broker-enabled clearance later this summer — and how Zonos is positioned to help, with our new Netherlands office, our U.S. broker license, and the postal infrastructure already moving the majority of postal volume into the U.S. 🎧 Tune in for a clear-eyed read of the new guidance, the trade-offs hiding inside the H7 vs. H1 decision, and what to do in the 28 days before July 1. Chapters [00:00:00] EU implementation guidance just dropped — 28 days out [00:00:32] Déjà vu from the U.S. qualified party 30-day fire drill [00:01:00] Disruption scale: the U.S. was a 10, the EU is a 7 [00:01:40] What the 32-page guidance confirms (and what surprised us) [00:02:24] When does a joke become a dad joke? [00:02:54] Duty-free is dead — except for the €45 gift exemption [00:03:38] The €3 duty: per line item, not per parcel [00:04:12] H1, H7, and H6 — the EU's clearance types [00:04:30] H1: 10-digit HS, country of origin, full data [00:05:20] H7: simplified, 6-digit HS, no country of origin [00:05:58] Why H7 consolidation matters — the anorak example [00:06:30] H7 trade-offs you shouldn't ignore [00:07:11] Why €3 and not ad valorem (yet) [00:07:30] The parallel to the U.S. QP technical limitations [00:08:44] 2028: standard duty calc and the EU Data Hub [00:09:21] Can you skip IOSS to skip the €3? No. [00:09:32] Preferential trade agreements: yes, but… [00:09:50] To get FTAs you have to move to H1 — and lose IOSS [00:10:30] Lose IOSS, lose bulk clearance in the Netherlands [00:11:30] How the decision tree forces logistics choices [00:11:38] Consolidators vs. integrators on FTAs [00:12:20] Postal and FTAs: same rules, different practicalities [00:12:50] The mixed-shipment math — when FTAs are (and aren't) worth it [00:14:54] Returns: non-refundable, with no real exception [00:15:38] How merchants should think about H7 vs. H1 [00:16:34] Express carriers chasing powers of attorney from shippers [00:18:01] DHL/FedEx/UPS billing DDP — and the marketplace concern [00:18:34] The postal carve-out for UPU shipments [00:19:09] Origin posts can designate an EU indirect representative [00:19:48] What "declarant" actually means — and the liability cascade [00:21:02] Australia Post example: one EU declarant for all volume [00:21:30] No surprise collection on delivery — the EU said so [00:22:01] Duty is for businesses, not a tax on consumers [00:23:31] Could July 1 get delayed? [00:24:09] The smaller-country knock-on effect [00:24:27] How Zonos is helping — prepay app, postal volume into the U.S. [00:24:53] Recent go-lives: Colombia, Togo [00:26:11] Why Zonos' new Netherlands office matters [00:26:20] Acting as the declarant in the EU [00:27:36] Commercial carrier rails vs. postal: what's still being built [00:28:36] Don't forget: November 1, product identifiers kick in [00:29:21] Manufacturer, merchant, and standardized identifiers [00:30:33] Why the standardized identifier (GTIN/EAN/UPC) is optional [00:31:32] The next five months: EU + U.S. + November 1 [00:32:24] The two-line summary: compliance is ratcheting up — and they want their money

• Transcript

Why Zonos Acquired Evolve Trade Services: What's Next | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #76

Big news on this episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast: Zonos has acquired Evolve Trade Services. Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, sit down with Jason Bye, co-founder of Evolve Trade Services (alongside William Coleman), to talk about why this acquisition matters and what it unlocks for postal operators, consolidators, marketplaces, and brands shipping into the U.S. Jason walks through Evolve's origin story, from enabling high-volume Type 86 ecommerce to pivoting their book of business to Type 11 when de minimis went away, and the industry-wide scramble for data, classification, and compliance that followed. The team digs into what's coming next for postal clearance, why a Type 11-style requirement is on the horizon, and why having a broker in-house lets Zonos finally control the entry from the point of sale. The conversation also covers broker mistakes that erode trust, the "telephone game" of data between checkout and CBP, and how combining Zonos' upstream transaction data with Evolve's brokerage expertise pushes us closer to our mission: creating trust in global trade. 🎧 Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the acquisition, what it means for our customers, and where cross-border clearance is headed in 2026. Chapters: [00:00:00] The big announcement: Zonos acquires Evolve Trade Services [00:00:32] Welcoming Jason to Zonos and St. George [00:01:24] The origin story: how Bill and Jason got into high-volume ecommerce [00:01:45] Type 86, Section 321, and the rise of origin pick-pack-ship [00:02:42] Launching Evolve Trade Services to bring brokerage in-house [00:03:01] Type 86 vs. Type 11: what actually changed [00:03:36] The industry scramble for data, HTS accuracy, and manufacturer info [00:04:38] Why Zonos acquired a broker: postal volume and the qualified party process [00:05:10] Bringing Evolve in-house ahead of the next clearance shift [00:06:28] Aaron's dad joke of the day [00:07:08] Landed cost in a Type 11 world [00:08:28] Why combining Zonos data with Evolve brokerage is so powerful [00:09:39] Broker mistakes and the data "telephone game" [00:10:48] Cutting out the middleman and controlling the entry [00:11:14] Helping postal operators through the upcoming transition [00:11:59] The indirect pain of working through third-party brokers in chaos [00:13:50] Doing customs clearance at the point of sale [00:14:26] Trust in global trade — and what erodes it [00:15:51] Have we ever seen change like this before? [00:17:28] Why Evolve has won and retained big shippers [00:19:16] The Evolve team's ecommerce DNA [00:19:49] Welcoming the Evolve team into the Zonos family [00:20:42] What excites Jason most about joining Zonos

• Transcript

Supreme Court strikes down IEEPA tariffs, New Executive Orders drop | What it means for ecommerce

IEEPA Tariffs Struck Down — Now What? The Supreme Court ruled. The White House responded the same day. Here's what cross-border operators actually need to know. The Supreme Court struck down IEEPA-based tariffs on a Friday afternoon — and the administration had a new executive order ready by the end of the day. So what does that mean for your shipments right now? In this emergency Saturday episode of Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce, hosts Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos' Head of Global Trade Strategy, break down everything that happened in the last 24 hours. From why IEEPA tariffs are still being collected today to what Section 122 means for rates going forward, they cut through the noise so you know exactly what's changed — and what hasn't. ✅ What the Supreme Court ruling actually said (and what it didn't) ✅ Why IEEPA tariffs are still being collected despite the ruling ✅ The transition period: what we're waiting on from CBP ✅ Section 122 explained: the new legal basis for a 10% across-the-board rate ✅ De minimis suspension — still in place, and here's why ✅ What comes next: Sections 232, 301, and 338 as future tools ✅ Practical advice: should you hold shipments right now? A lot changed yesterday. But a lot stayed the same, too — and knowing the difference matters. CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction & why we're here on a Saturday 1:37 What the Supreme Court actually ruled 2:21 Non-postal e-commerce: what's happening for sellers under $800 3:40 Why IEEPA tariffs are still being collected today 4:26 The transition period & waiting on CBP guidance 5:40 What the new executive orders actually say 6:46 Section 122: the new tariff justification explained 7:47 Postal: what's changing (and what's staying the same) 9:10 Biggest misconceptions from the past 24 hours 10:24 Rates are changing — but maybe lower overall 12:03 What's next: Sections 232, 301, and 338 15:35 Practical advice: should you hold your shipments? 16:34 Wrap-up

IEEPA on Trial: What It Means for Ecommerce Tariffs | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #74

This episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast dives deep into the chaos of 2025 and what lies ahead in 2026, including the potential end of IEEPA tariffs, the removal of de minimis, and a major Supreme Court decision that could reshape international trade policy. Aaron Bezzant, Zonos’ Head of Global Trade Strategy, is joined by longtime Zonos expert Ryan Swapp, Head of Global Trade Data, and Jeff Freeman, our resident “Wikipedia” of global trade. With Clint Reid out sick, the team breaks down what businesses need to know about upcoming changes and the ripple effects of executive trade authority under scrutiny. 🎧 Tune in for actionable insight into tariffs, refunds, Supreme Court bets, and what global ecommerce companies should expect in 2026. Chapters: [00:00:00] Opening clip [00:00:30] Aaron introduces holiday episode & guests Ryan Swap and Jeff Freeman [00:02:00] Reflecting on 2025: chaos, tariffs, and the rise of IEEPA tariffs [00:03:30] What is IEEPA? A historical and legal breakdown [00:05:00] Executive overreach? The Supreme Court's pending decision on IEEPA tariffs [00:06:30] The ripple effect: de minimis, tariffs, and tech adaptation [00:09:00] Ryan on adapting tech and retroactive chaos [00:13:00] Betting on the Supreme Court timeline [00:15:00] Will IEEPA tariffs be upheld or struck down? A legal debate [00:21:00] What happens if IEEPA tariffs are struck down? Refunds and fallback tools [00:26:00] Postal refunds: nearly impossible? [00:30:00] De minimis and the severability clause [00:33:00] Global trend: EU, UK, and others following the U.S. [00:35:00] What to expect from new clearance processes in 2026 [00:36:30] Final thoughts: 2026 won’t be quiet

Trade Policy Is Moving Faster Than Ever — Are You Ready? | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #73

This episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast is hosted solo by Aaron Bezzant, Zonos’ Head of Global Trade Strategy. He’s joined by Ned Steiner of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, a leading customs and trade law firm. Aaron and Ned dive into the rapidly shifting world of international trade — from new U.S. tariffs and executive orders to the real-world impacts on importers and e-commerce sellers. If you’ve been trying to keep up with de minimis reform, trade enforcement, or customs compliance in the U.S., this episode is your inside look at what’s really happening in D.C. — and how to protect your business.

Building DDP for Posts with UPU | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #66

Episode 66 of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast explores how postal operators around the world can implement Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) solutions, with direct insight from David Avsec of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). Hosts Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos’ Head of Global Trade Strategy, discuss the technical and policy challenges around DDP in the postal network—especially with changes to global regulations and de minimis thresholds in the U.S. and EU. They uncover the role of the UPU, the growing urgency for posts to offer DDP in order to stay competitive in ecommerce, and how the right technology and cooperation can make global DDP a scalable reality for posts of any size. Whether you're a postal operator, ecommerce platform, or global merchant, this episode sheds light on the infrastructure being built to support DDP worldwide—and why it matters more than ever. [00:00:00] Introductions and welcoming David from the UPU [00:01:50] Why UPU partnered with Zonos and the HS classification challenge [00:02:57] David’s 30-year history with UPU and postal technology [00:10:00] Why David came to St. George — urgency around U.S. regulatory changes [00:13:23] DDP vs DDU: The case for postal reform and better customer experience [00:17:02] Why DDP is now critical for posts and ecommerce competitiveness [00:20:24] Why posts should look at DDP as an exciting opportunity and not a burden [00:28:26] Timeline and adoption challenges across global posts [00:32:05] Europe’s upcoming de minimis changes and global regulatory trends [00:34:37] Closing thoughts

De Minimis Is Gone — How Posts Worldwide Reacted Fast | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #70

This episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast dives into how global postal operators — from Canada Post to Royal Mail to Ukraine — raced to adapt to the sudden de minimis policy change from the U.S. that took effect on August 29. Hosts Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos’ Head of Global Trade Strategy, share behind-the-scenes stories of working with postal partners around the world to stand up solutions in just 30 days — and how Zonos’ technology became the backbone of compliance for many. 🔹 How Ukraine became one of the first to ship under the new rules 🔹 What Canada Post accomplished on an impossible timeline 🔹 How Zonos’ neutral, tech-driven approach enabled rapid scaling 🔹 And what this means for small businesses in these countries Whether you’re in ecommerce or international logistics, this is a powerful case study in speed, collaboration, and execution under pressure.

De Minimis Gone | What Aussie Businesses Need to Know Now | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #71

This episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast is a must-listen for Australian ecommerce businesses. As of August 29, de minimis is gone for postal shipments into the US — and Australia Post has partnered with Zonos to keep shipments moving. But what does that mean for Australian sellers? Clint Reid, CEO and Founder of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos’ Head of Global Trade Strategy, break it down: - Why you got that email from Australia Post - What the Zonos partnership means - How to calculate and collect duties - And how to keep shipping without friction With tools available at no cost — and insights tailored for Aussie ecommerce — this episode is all about practical answers and immediate next steps.

How Ukraine’s Postal Service Stayed Operational in War | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #72

This episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast is one you won’t forget. Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, sits down with Igor Smelyansky, CEO of Ukrposhta (Ukraine Post), to talk about leading a national postal service during an active war—and still growing exports, launching banks and pharmacies, and maintaining ecommerce lifelines across borders. Igor shares how his U.S. legal and business background helped Ukraine Post become the first to deliver under new U.S. de minimis rules, how they've helped over 45,000 SMEs keep shipping internationally, and how modern war forced them to digitize and automate at a rapid pace. This episode is packed with resilience, logistics innovation, international trade strategy, and hard-earned leadership lessons from the frontlines.

De minimis is gone | What It Means for Canada Businesses | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep #69

This episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast breaks down what Canadian ecommerce businesses need to know now that de minimis is gone for postal shipments into the U.S. Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos’ Head of Global Trade Strategy, explain the August 29th change, what triggered it, how Canada Post and Zonos responded in just 30 days, and what Canadian businesses must do right now to stay compliant — and keep shipping. If you ship to the U.S. from Canada, this episode is essential listening. From practical tools to collect duties, to how Canada Post customers are affected, to real examples of tariff cost differences — this one is packed with value. 🔹 Why are Canadian merchants now being asked to collect and remit duties? 🔹 What is Zonos' role in all this? 🔹 What’s the business impact and how do you adapt? 🔹 How does this affect retail customers at the post office counter? All answered here.

De Minimis Gone for U.S. Imports—What You Need to Know Now | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep 67

This episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast dives into the major changes coming from the recent executive order that removes de minimis treatment for most shipments—effective August 29th. Hosts Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos’ Head of Global Trade Strategy, break down what this means for international shippers, postal carriers, and ecommerce businesses. It's fast, it's packed, and it's essential if you're moving goods into the U.S. From new country of origin requirements to how duties must be paid—and by whom—this TLDDR (too long, didn’t deeply read) gives you the critical info without the fluff. 🔍 Don't miss the nuances. Watch the full episode for what matters most in the months ahead.

EO ends duty-free treatment for all U.S. imports | Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce | Ep 68

This episode of the Decoding Cross-Border Ecommerce podcast is a detailed breakdown of the executive order that eliminates de minimis for all imports—postal and commercial—effective August 29th. Clint Reid, Founder and CEO of Zonos, and Aaron Bezzant, Zonos’ Head of Global Trade Strategy, have been in the room with policymakers in DC and are here to give context, clarity, and what it means for your business. What changed? Who’s paying? What happens next? They unpack the policy, the enforcement challenges, and how global merchants and posts must adapt—fast. Whether you're a brand, carrier, or consolidator, you can’t afford to miss this one.