Blog Overview

How New U.S. Tariffs Are Shaping Our Logistics and Strategy

May 05, 2025

At Monoblocc, we’ve always believed in transparency - and that means bringing you along as the global ecommerce landscape evolves in real time. The recent changes in U.S. tariff policies are affecting everyone, and we’re no exception. Here’s how we’re navigating this transition - and what it means for you.

Why We Manufacture in China

Let’s start with the basics: our decision to manufacture in Mainland China isn’t just about cost - it’s about quality, experience, and capability. Our founders have lived in Hong Kong for decades and starting our business here came naturally. This proximity allows us to maintain close relationships with our suppliers and oversee a multi-stage production process that would be extremely difficult to replicate elsewhere.


Our product is crafted from finely machined aluminum components - some milled, some turned, all anodized - and requires parts to be transferred between up to eight different factories before being assembled and packaged. Doing this at a high quality and low volume (only hundreds of units per batch) demands a supply chain that’s both agile and efficient. Mainland China delivers on all fronts - with logistical networks that allow us to ship nearly anywhere in the world at competitive speed and pricing.

What's Changing - and Why It Matters

Until recently, we’ve been able to make use of Section 321 of the U.S. tariff code, which allowed for duty-free direct-to-consumer shipments under $800. That’s now gone.


Although the final rules are still being written, it seems almost certain that:

  • Tariff rates on Chinese-made goods will increase
  • Section 321 (de minimis) exemptions are unlikely to return
  • Direct-to-consumer shipments will now be tariffed at full retail value
  • Ocean freight will remain tariffed at essentially production value (i.e. a fraction of retail value)


For small startups like ours, Section 321 was allowing us to ship faster, manage cash flow, and fulfill pre-orders efficiently. Without it, direct-to-consumer air freight becomes drastically more expensive, making it unsustainable at scale.

Our New Plan for U.S. Orders

As a first step, we’re pivoting our U.S. fulfillment strategy from direct air freight to ocean freight, with bulk shipment and U.S.-based warehousing. Here’s what that means:

  • Production batches will now ship to the U.S. via ocean freight, which takes roughly a month to arrive.
  • Last-mile delivery will be much faster once inventory is in the U.S., often just a few days instead of two weeks.
  • Pre-orders will take longer to ship - expect an additional 3–4 weeks lead time as we switch over to this model.

Our aim is to keep prices stable and deliveries as fast as possible.

Looking Ahead

We're keeping a close eye on how the final tariff rules shake out. Should there be a sustained shift in the global trade environment, we are open to partial/full U.S. production for U.S. orders. However, there are real constraints to that approach: finding factories to handle fine aluminum machining, managing low-volume cost efficiency, and coordinating multi-supplier logistics are all harder (and more expensive) outside of China.


Still, we are actively exploring hybrid strategies that could help navigate the tariff changes with sustainable pricing.

In Short

We're adapting. We're watching. And we’re committed to continuing to offer a world-class product without compromising on value or vision. Thanks for being on this journey with us - and stay tuned as we continue to evolve in step with the global environment. 

 

If there is anything we could ask of you in this time of change it would be patience with your pre-orders.


The Monoblocc Team