2025 customs and tax regulatory changes for cross-border e-commerce

As we enter 2025, our team at Glopal is excited to continue supporting your global e-commerce needs with cutting-edge software solutions tailored to simplify cross-border trade. Larger customs and tax regulatory changes and updates often take effect at the start of a new year. Understanding and adapting to these changes is crucial to maintaining compliance and ensuring seamless international operations. Here’s an overview of the key changes at the start of 2025, and how we’re here to help you navigate them.

VAT Rate and Sales Tax Adjustments

VAT changes for 2025 affect several countries, impacting pricing, invoicing, and tax reporting:

• Slovakia: The VAT standard rate was raised from 20% to 23%, with a new reduced rate of 19%.
• Israel: VAT increased by 1%, moving from 17% to 18%.
• Finland: Certain reduced-rate products, such as books, are now taxed at 14% instead of 10%.
• Indonesia: The country raised the VAT by 1% to 12% on luxury food supplies and services, delaying its original plans to raise its general VAT rate from 11% to 12%.

US sales tax regulation changed for below US states:

• Alaska: Effective from January 1st 2025, Alaska joined most other US states in withdrawing its 200 transaction per annum threshold. The requirement to register for sales tax collection now applies only to remote sellers with annual sales exceeding $100,000.
• Louisiana: The state has increased its state-level tax from 4.45% to 5%.

How Glopal Can Support You

Keeping up with VAT and sales tax changes across multiple countries can be challenging. Glopal continuously monitors global tax regulations, and automatically updates tax rates and thresholds in real time. This ensures your pricing, invoicing, and reporting remain accurate and compliant, allowing you to focus on growing your business without worrying about ever-changing tax rules.

U.S. Tariff Changes

The United States has implemented the following updates:

• Duty rate increase on hair-nets: From 6.4% to 9.4%.
• Tariff uplifts on products manufactured in China:
  • +25%: Composable made-up textile articles (9903.91.04).
  • +25%: Specific chemicals and rare metals (9903.91.11).
  • +50%: Medical and surgical gloves, semiconductors, and integrated circuits (9903.91.05).

How Glopal Can Support You

Glopal detects and processes any relevant customs tariff changes from official US customs sources, guaranteeing that applied duty rates are up-to-date and calculated total landing costs are accurate.

Arab League Customs Regulatory Changes

Arab League member states started enforcing 12-digit HS codes from January 1, 2025. The requirement becomes mandatory on any imports to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

Shippers are asked to provide a valid 12-digit HS code when preparing their shipments to these countries. Invalid or incomplete HS codes can lead to clearance and delivery delays. 

How Glopal Can Support You

Glopal maintains an up-to-date database of 12-digit HS codes for all affected Arab League member states. Our solution can automatically assign valid HS codes to merchant products—whether within the product catalog or in real time—and can seamlessly pass these codes to the carrier, streamlining cross-border shipping and customs clearance.

Enhanced Duty-Free Threshold in Argentina

Argentina's federal tax agency has adopted a new regime for low-value consignments of goods intended for personal use. Under this new regulation: 

• Consignments with a FOB value of up to USD 3,000 benefit from a simplified border entry process.
• Customs duties will only apply to consignments with a total value exceeding USD 400 (while no de minimis threshold has been set for value-added tax). 

How Glopal Can Support You

Glopal automatically considers any applicable duty and tax de minimis in all supported markets. We continuously monitor and apply any threshold changes, including Argentina's newly introduced USD 400 duty de minimis threshold for personal use imports.

New Additional Duties in Turkey

Since 2011, Turkey has gradually imposed additional customs duties—exceeding those of the Common Customs Tariff—on an expanding range of products. For 2025, Turkey has updated the additional duty rates across various product categories:

• The duty rate on bags and leather clothing items under Chapter 42 has increased from 30% to 39%.
• The rate on shoes has risen from 30% to 40%.
• New rates of 5%, 10%, and 25% have been introduced for certain paper and cardboard products.

While products originating in the EU or Turkey's FTA partners (such as the United Kingdom) are exempt from these additional duties, goods from third countries are still subject to them when imported through the EU—even if they have been officially placed in free circulation within the EU.

How Glopal Can Support You

Glopal incorporates the latest additional duty rates into all total landed cost calculations for imports into Turkey.

Our Commitment to Your Success in 2025

We understand that navigating regulatory changes can be complex. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing:

1. Real-Time Regulatory Updates: Stay informed about global compliance requirements with automatic updates integrated into your workflow.
2. Customizable Tax and Duty Solutions: From VAT to tariffs, our software adjusts to ensure accurate calculations and reporting.
3. Expert Support: Our team of cross-border trade specialists is ready to assist you in adapting to new regulations efficiently.

As your trusted partner, we’re here to empower your growth and success in the evolving world of e-commerce.

Have questions or need assistance? Contact us today to learn how we can help you seamlessly manage these changes and optimize your cross-border operations.

Here’s to a prosperous and compliant 2025!