7 Ways To Protect Profit from Tariffs
- Product cost (from supplier)
- Shipping and handling fees
- Tariffs and customs duties (based on product and country of origin)
- Currency conversion charges (if buying in foreign currency)
- Payment processor and platform fees (Shopify, PayPal, etc.)
- Raise the price of tariff-affected items slightly (e.g., $28.99 instead of $27.50)
- Test different price points to see where customers still buy
- Highlight product value in your descriptions so small increases feel justified
- Review your catalog and flag products with high tariff rates
- Identify similar alternatives that fall into different HS codes with lower tariffs
- Use tools like the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule to compare duty rates quickly
- Look at suppliers in places like Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, or Turkey
- Ask your current supplier if they have warehouses in other countries with lower tariff impact
- Compare total landed costs (not just item price) when evaluating new suppliers
- Combine 2–3 low-cost items into a “Starter Kit” or “Essentials Pack”
- Offer a discounted add-on for customers who’ve already made a purchase
- Pair a high-margin product with a tariff-heavy item
- “Is shipping DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) available?”
- “Are duties and taxes included in your pricing?”
- “Can you provide tax invoices to simplify accounting?”
- Tag products in your store based on margin and tariff level
- Use analytics to find which ones have the best return on ad spend (ROAS)
- Focus your budget on best-sellers with low tariff exposure
Founder of TrueProfit & eCommerce Profitability Expert
Harry Chu is the Founder of TrueProfit, a net profit tracking solution designed to help Shopify merchants gain real-time insights into their actual profits. With 11+ years of experience in eCommerce and technology, his expertise in profit analytics, cost tracking, and data-driven decision-making has made him a trusted voice for thousands of Shopify merchants.
Harry Chu is the Founder of TrueProfit, a net profit tracking solution designed to help Shopify merchants gain real-time insights into their actual profits. With 11+ years of experience in eCommerce and technology, his expertise in profit analytics, cost tracking, and data-driven decision-making has made him a trusted voice for thousands of Shopify merchants.
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