Succeeding in a Post-De Minimis Market: A Guide for U.S. 3PLs

Struggling with post-de minimis chaos? The right 3PL strategy could save your clients—and win you new ones.

Tariffs, compliance headaches, and shipping delays are already forcing brands to rethink their supply chains. They’re searching for U.S. partners who can simplify the shift, cut costs, and keep fulfillment moving. If you can deliver regional warehousing solutions, fast onboarding, comprehensive fulfillment, bulletproof compliance, you won’t just survive this change. You’ll own it.

Here’s exactly how smart 3PLs are turning disruption into growth:

1. Double Down on Localization

With rising import duties, elimination of de minimis and stricter compliance, many wholesalers, retailers, and DTC brands will look to onshore inventory or source regionally. U.S.-based 3PLs are uniquely positioned to step in as fulfillment partners that understand local consumer expectations, regional delivery networks, and retail compliance requirements.

Localization isn’t just about geography, it’s about understanding buyer behavior, delivery speed expectations, and reverse logistics norms. Brands that previously relied on overseas fulfillment for their DTC order will need a new domestic partner who can flex to their needs.

Smaller and emerging US brands getting back the competitive edge versus Chinese brands on e-commerce will also lean heavily on the U.S.-centric operations and domestic 3PLs. They’ll seek partners who can simplify logistics, reduce customs exposure, and provide a stable, localized foundation for growth without the complexity of international supply chains.

Related Post: The Post-De Minimis Playbook: Rethinking Cross-Border Commerce

2. Build Resilient Supply Chains

As import patterns shift and new tariffs go into effect, brands will need 3PL partners who can navigate the evolving supply chain landscape with confidence.

Distributed fulfillment networks, inventory forecasting, and real-time visibility become critical differentiators. 3PLs that can help clients diversify warehouse location, support omnichannel sales, optimize last-mile options, and adapt shipping strategies based on cost or speed will become indispensable.

For larger brands with significant cross-border trade, resilience also means partnering closely with experienced customs brokers and trade attorneys. 3PLs that can provide the service of proactively structuring shipments, correctly classifying goods, and minimizing tariff exposure through legal strategies will be crucial to maintaining margins for clients.

3. Prioritize EDI and Retail Compliance

The end of de minimis will mean extreme high cost of cross-border DTC shipments, increased customs scrutiny, documentation, and compliance complexity, it will force e-commerce brands transitioning from direct-import models to U.S. fulfillment and look for more ways to sell in US market including wholesale to major retailers.

This is where Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), robust documentation, and retail-readiness tools become critical. 3PLs who already support big-box EDI standards, GS1 labeling, ASN tracking, and customs documentation will gain favor with compliance-conscious clients.

4. Dropshipping, B2B2C, and Private Labeling

Brands that once drop-shipped from overseas marketplaces are now looking for domestic partners who can handle distributed fulfillment, relabeling, and packaging. This opens the door for U.S. 3PLs to offer:

• Custom fulfillment services
• Domestic dropshipping from U.S. inventory
• Inventory pooling across brands among different warehouse locations
• B2B2C support for marketplace sellers and emerging DTC brands

5. Navigate the New RFP Process

As brands pivot to U.S.-based fulfillment models, many will issue formal Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to select new 3PL partners. This is a critical opportunity for providers to showcase their capabilities, but it requires preparation. Expect RFPs to focus heavily on:

• EDI and systems integration capabilities
• Compliance management (retail, customs, labeling)
• Scalability and multi-channel fulfillment options
• Speed to onboard new SKUs and brands
• Risk mitigation strategies

3PLs that can respond with clear, structured proposals, including case studies, service-level guarantees, and technology demos, will stand out. Preparing templated RFP responses now can help you move fast and impress when opportunities arise.

6. Market Yourself as a Solution to Risk

In a world of changing policy, consumer uncertainty, and rising import costs, 3PLs can win by marketing certainty, speed, and simplicity if your operations are already optimized for:

• Fast onboarding
• Integrations with major platforms and marketplaces (Shopify, Walmart, Amazon, etc.)
• Robust reporting tools

The post-de minimis era is not just a challenge, it’s a reshuffling of the deck. 3PL providers that lean into localization, compliance, and flexible fulfillment models are poised to capture new clients and unlock long-term growth.

This is the moment to lead. The brands that relied on overseas operations are searching for their next move and looking for US based partners who can make that transition frictionless.

Be that partner.