80/20 of Ecom 12/13/24: Container Imports Surge, AI Video Innovation, and Japan 2025 Awaits

As 2024 wraps up, the pressure is on. Tariffs are looming, shipping is surging, and porch pirates are rampant. But this isn’t just about surviving Q4—it’s about laying the groundwork for a stronger 2025.

This week, I’m diving into key updates on shipping strategies, exciting AI tools, and why you need to take Japan seriously as part of your 2025 growth plan. Plus, don’t miss this week’s exclusive seller hack and early-bird tickets for the 7 Figure Seller Japan Mastermind in Tokyo. Let’s dive in.

Quick Highlights:

• Container imports spike ahead of tariffs and strikes—beat the deadlines.

• Should you adopt a de minimis strategy for 2025?

• AI revolution: OpenAI’s Sora video generator is here.

• 120M packages were stolen last year—protect your deliveries this holiday season.

• 7 Figure Seller Japan Mastermind: Early bird tickets end soon.

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Container Imports Surge Ahead of Strikes and Tariffs, NRF Predicts

Everybody is rushing to get their products imported before the new tariffs strike. Heading into the new year, January’s forecast is for 2.2 million TEUs, which is up 12% year-over-year from last year.

In terms of rail, the Association of American Railroads has said that container volumes have shattered weekly records for three weeks in a row in November. The reason for this? Retailers are trying to avoid the new tariffs by getting their shipments in before they come into effect once Trump takes office in January.

Takeaway: If you haven’t already, make sure to get your shipments in ASAP. Pronto. 

Should You Steal Temu’s De Minimis Strategy?

Temu has skyrocketed from obscurity to becoming the second-biggest e-commerce marketplace in just two years. So, what’s their secret? A little-known import loophole called the de minimis strategy.

Should you steal this strategy? The answer isn’t so simple. Here are four questions every e-commerce seller that imports products should ask:

1. Does the $800 per day threshold align with your business model?

2. How does your product mix fit into this strategy?

3. Where are your customers located, and how does that impact your fulfillment?

4. Can this strategy help you remain competitive without sacrificing quality or compliance?

For more details, check out this article from Supply Chain Dive.

Takeaway: For certain e-commerce businesses, this strategy can be a game-changer to cut costs and boost competitiveness in 2025.

Sora AI Video Generator is released

OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, have just released their latest innovation: Sora AI, an advanced video generator that’s already creating waves. Demand was so high earlier this week that I couldn’t get access until yesterday.

Have you tested it yet? This tool has the potential to revolutionize how we create product videos, lifestyle content, and even branded sponsor videos. Imagine streamlining video production while elevating the quality of your content to drive more engagement and sales with only a single prompt.

This could save weeks of video production and editing and thousands of dollars in fees if done properly. 

Takeaway - Test out this new video AI generator when you have time.  If you’ve had a chance to try it out, I’d love to hear your experience. More updates and insights on Sora AI are coming soon—stay tuned!

Porch pirates stole 120 million packages last year. Here's how you can protect yours : NPR

In 2023, over 120 million packages were stolen across the U.S., according to SafeWise. Among these, many were Amazon FBA shipments—your products, delivered to customers, stolen before they even made it inside.

The most popular targets? Name-brand items and electronics. Packages labeled with lithium-ion battery warnings are like a beacon for thieves, signaling valuable tech like laptops or other high-ticket items.

While sellers don’t have direct control over deliveries made by Amazon, it’s important to be aware of potential losses due to porch pirates, especially during the holidays. Encourage your customers to:

• Use secure delivery options, like Amazon Lockers or workplace deliveries.

• Hide packages from plain sight, placing them behind bushes or in less obvious locations.

And remember, if a theft does occur, call the police. Avoid confrontation—it’s not worth the risk.

Takeaway: Porch piracy is a reality sellers and customers must contend with, particularly around this time of year. Stay vigilant and proactive to minimize losses and keep your customers happy!

YouTube Video Highlight: How to Expand to Amazon Japan in 2025 – The Six Bridges to Success

If you’ve been wondering how to break into new markets, Japan might be your next big move. Danan Coleman, e-commerce veteran and host of The Ecom Growth Show, recently joined me for a video where I explain why Amazon Japan is one of the best-kept secrets in Amazon selling.

In the video, I walk you through the 6 Bridges to Japan—the essential steps to selling on Amazon Japan, including:

• How to overcome barriers like new tariffs, rising fees, and increased competition.

• Why Japan’s unique market might be the blue ocean opportunity your brand has been searching for.

• Strategies to navigate Japan’s culture, compliance, and customer expectations.

Despite rising PPC costs and the challenges of Q4, expanding to Amazon Japan could unlock massive potential for certain brands.

🚀 7-Figure Seller Japan Mastermind: Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now!

I’m thrilled to announce that the next in-person 7-Figure Seller Summit will take place in Tokyo on March 17th-18th, 2025.

This two-day event is designed to give you the roadmap to selling up to $1 million on Amazon Japan in 12 months while navigating Japan’s unique market challenges and opportunities.

Here’s what makes this event unmissable:

• Updated strategies for 2025: Learn how to scale your business with proven methods tailored to Amazon Japan.

• Expert-led networking: Connect with core compliance specialists, Japan localization experts, PPC strategists, sourcing professionals, and more.

• Hands-on guidance: Work directly with experienced sellers who’ve succeeded in Japan.

• Personalized feedback: Get over-the-shoulder reviews of your business to uncover hidden opportunities and actionable next steps.

By the end of this summit, you’ll walk away with a detailed game plan to execute your entry or scale-up strategy for Japan—and get all your questions answered.

📅 Dates: March 17th-18th, 2025

📍 Location: Tokyo, Japan

🎟️ Early Bird Price: Save big by boking before December 18th!

👉 Check out this one-pager for more details and to get your Early Bird tickets:

In Case You Missed It

• _{Trump threatens 100% tariffs on BRICS countries}

• _{Amazon’s 2025 Black Friday Week and Cyber Monday deal event was its biggest ever}

• _{Best Buy expects tariffs to drive price increases}

• _{Seller Hack of the Week: Build the Brain Behind Your Brand with Custom ChatGPT featuring Vincenzo Toscano}

• _{• Seller Hack: Prohibited Keyword Analyzer Hack}

Work With Me

I’m excited to announce that I will be working hands-on with a limited number of 7- and 8-figure Amazon brand owners that are looking to expand into Japan.

If you are interested apply here: https://forms.gle/rxmpV9g3R5eCzAs99