In this week's edition of the 80/20 of E-commerce newsletter, there's a chance that Trump's tariffs will go out the window. And the U.S. Postal Service is becoming more strict with HS codes on imports.
Amazon has a new variation system that will impact your Q4. And in addition, we're going to share how you can get additional funding for your Amazon business in Q4 and potentially not make any payments until three years later.
Let's get into the 8020 of E commerce for this week.
First off, the US Courts made a ruling that Donald Trump's global tariffs are in fact illegal. These apply to his tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada, but not steel and aluminum.
Right now, on September 3rd, a request has been made to the Supreme Court.
According to Flexport Derek Bushaw, this is the potential timeline for any Supreme Court decision on the tariffs this week.
From September 4th to the 10th, the Supreme Court would decide if they will hear the case and then in the first week of November the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments.
From then on, it's literally “anybody's guess” what will happen next.
TAKEAWAY: The tariffs will still be in play for at least the next couple months, but stay tuned for further updates in case they are in fact deemed illegal and go out the window.
The US Postal Service now requires HS codes foreign bound shipments.
These are the harmonized system codes for all international shipments and this affects you if you're an Amazon seller, ebay seller or direct to consumer sellers shipping internationally.
Non compliance will result in delays and return packages and this means you have to make these changes to align with the global custom modernization efforts.
TAKEAWAY: Update your shipping documentation with HS Codes ASAP to avoid delays.
According to EcommerceBytes, Amazon has a new variation system and this is in fact affecting how your product will be discovered in Q4 and your sales.
Sellers are reporting a 15 to 25% decrease in traffic on complex variation listings. The categories most affected are apparel, electronics and home goods.
Amazon has provided some documentation, though limited, on how to optimize for these variations.
TAKEAWAY: Make sure you audit and optimize your product variations before Q4 peak season so you don't lose out on traffic and sales.
Alumni speaker Liron Hirschkorn had posted that Q4 2025 will be unlike any other.
There are several variables that sellers must not overlook, including Amazon's algorithm changes, the new variation system, rising competition, and the evolving tariffs.
He also offered a blueprint on how to navigate these challenges.
Check out the post here and be sure to adapt your Q4 strategies to gain a competitive edge.
In this week's 7 Figure Seller podcast, you’ll discover how to access up to an additional $500,000 to scale your U.S. Amazon business.
This is especially critical if you’re dealing with tariffs and need to build inventory for Q4 orders as well as pre–Chinese New Year orders in Q1 2026.
Youtube - Watch here
Spotify - Listen here
Pay close attention to the changing lending landscape on Amazon’s side, and make sure you know the real numbers—exactly how much you’ll pay when taking out a loan.
AccrueMe, one of our trusted partners, is offering a free audit, along with a special deal exclusively for 80/20 Ecom newsletter readers - just say Gary or 7FSS to qualify.
It’s a lot to take in, but these shifts are exactly why staying sharp—and staying proactive—is the only way to win as an Amazon seller in 2025.
Talk next week,
Gary
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