Holiday shipping is getting serious this year. U.S. Customs is cracking down on international parcels and flagging, delaying, or destroying shipments with even the slightest documentation errors. No, seriously. Destroyed. If you ship products from overseas or sell to customers outside the U.S., you need to understand the updated customs shipping rules for 2025 before the holiday chaos hits full speed.
What happens when international shipments go wrong?
Jess thought she’d nailed her holiday promo. Her skincare brand was buzzing, orders were flowing in, and a repeat customer in Canada had just ordered three of her bestselling gift sets.
But then the tracking stopped.
No updates. No delivery. Just silence.
A few emails later, Jess found out the package wasn’t late. U.S. Customs had destroyed it. Why? A misdeclared product value and missing tariff info. And just like that, she was out the product, the money, and the customer.
She’s not alone.
Thousands of ecommerce sellers are heading into the busiest season of the year unaware that Customs is enforcing new international shipping rules. Customs will flag, fine, or destroy your packages if you miss a single detail.
So what’s actually going on?
Until recently, eCommerce sellers could take advantage of the de minimis rule. It let packages under $800 enter the U.S. without duties or customs headaches. No extra paperwork, no problem.
But this fall, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stepped up enforcement in a big way.
Customs has begun closely inspecting over 24 million packages that once breezed through without issue. Officers are delaying shipments, adding surprise fees, and in some cases, confiscating or destroying them outright.
And no, it’s not just huge shipments. Customs is targeting even small eCommerce parcels when they arrive without proper documentation.
Why eCommerce sellers should care
This is hitting small businesses hardest, especially the ones using international suppliers, shipping cross-border, or fulfilling from overseas warehouses without adjusting to the updated customs shipping rules for 2025.
Here’s what’s at stake:
- Orders delayed at customs
- Surprise charges for your customers
- Packages seized or destroyed
- Refunds, replacements, and bad reviews
- Higher costs with zero return
Most customers won’t blame customs. They’ll blame you. And that’s a hit your brand doesn’t need this season.
What you can do about it
If you’re using Ordoro, you’ve already got the tools to protect your packages and your margins.
Here’s how to get ahead of it:
Set shipping rules by region
Automatically choose the best carriers and services based on the destination, so risky orders get routed smarter.
Track cross-border shipments in one dashboard
Know where every package is, and which ones are at risk of getting held up at customs.
Sync inventory by location
Ship from U.S.-based stock when possible to avoid cross-border drama altogether.
Print customs-ready labels
Generate clean labels with proper HS codes, product descriptions, and declared values. No guesswork.
Five tips to avoid having your packages destroyed
Customs doesn’t mess around so neither should you.
- Always declare the full product value
- Never use vague descriptions like “gift” or “item”
- Add the correct HS code for each product
- Stick with carriers that offer customs support (like FedEx and UPS)
- Keep records of every international shipment and order detail
Small tweaks now = fewer headaches later.
Frequently asked questions
What is the de minimis rule?
It allows shipments under $800 to enter the U.S. without duties — but only if the declaration is complete and accurate.
Why would a package be destroyed?
If it’s misdeclared, missing documentation, or doesn’t meet import requirements, customs can legally seize or destroy it.
Does Ordoro help with international shipping compliance?
Yes. You can automate shipping workflows, generate customs-ready docs, and keep cross-border orders moving.
How do I know if my orders are at risk?
Look at your suppliers, fulfillment locations, and shipping settings. If anything’s going international, you need to double-check your shipping setup.
The bottom line
This holiday season, your packaging game needs to be stronger than ever. What used to be a simple international order now has to follow the updated customs shipping rules for 2025, or you risk delays, extra fees, or total loss.
You don’t need to panic. You just need a plan.
Ordoro helps eCommerce sellers automate smart shipping, stay compliant, and keep customers happy even when customs gets complicated.
Because losing a package to border bureaucracy? That’s one holiday surprise no one wants.
Want to keep your shipments safe and your customers happy this holiday season?
Talk to one of our eCommerce experts and get a shipping setup that won’t get stuck at the border.