Daily Cross-Border E-Commerce Briefing | July 16, 2025

1. Shopify Issues Guidelines for Agentic AI Apps
  • Shopify’s newly published “Agentic AI” policy clarifies that any app or theme extension making autonomous decisions—such as dynamic price optimization, automated upsell pop-ups or AI chatbot order routing—must log every model call, store those logs for at least 30 days and display an easily accessible disclosure on the storefront. Developers are further required to document data-processing flows and obtain explicit user consent when training on shopper behavior. For merchants, failure to verify that an installed AI plugin meets the guidelines can trigger checkout-blocking errors after July 16, 2025. Keywords to watch: “Shopify AI compliance guidelines 2025”, “agentic AI data safety for e-commerce”.
    Source: PYMNTS, Published on: July 15 2025
2. FedEx Hikes Peak & Fuel Surcharges Again
  • The latest FedEx surcharge table lifts U.S. export and import fuel fees to 20.5 % for the week of July 14–20 and introduces a new “Demand Surcharge” tiered by weight and oversize dimensions. Shippers sending bulky fitness equipment or furniture could see an extra $35–$75 per parcel, while most apparel and accessories face an additional 5–8 % cost bump. The carrier advises merchants to add fuel clauses in checkout to stay transparent. Long-tail keyword: “FedEx peak season surcharge 2025 chart”.
    Source: Refund Retriever, Published on: July 15 2025
3. USPS Raises First-Class Stamp to $0.78
  • Effective July 13, the cost of a Forever Stamp rose from $0.76 to $0.78, the twentieth increase since 2000. Commercial Priority Mail cubic rates climbed an average 5.4 %, and media mail is up 7.0 %. Analysts forecast another four scheduled hikes by 2027 to offset pension and last-mile labor costs. Shopify and WooCommerce sellers who rely on USPS for lightweight dropshipping parcels should revisit “free shipping” thresholds or shift to Gray Poplar ePacket-style lines for packages under 2 lbs. SEO phrase: “USPS postage rate increase July 2025”.
    Source: The Sun, Published on: July 16 2025
4. FedEx Adds New Import Fees in Taiwan
  • From July 15, inbound shipments to Taiwan incur a “Declaration Line Item Fee” (NT$80 per HS code) plus “Storage & Handling” after 48 hours in-bond storage. Electronics, beauty devices and other high-ticket SKUs averaging NT$15,000 may see landed cost rises of 3-4 %. Merchants moving test orders via air freight should batch SKUs or switch to postal channels through the Gray Poplar one-click fulfillment interface for cost control. Search term: “FedEx Taiwan import surcharge 2025”.
    Source: FedEx Taiwan, Published on: July 15 2025
5. AFS Freight Index Shows Prolonged Demand Slump
  • The Q3 TD Cowen / AFS report pegs the Parcel Rate Index at 1.036 (flat QoQ) and the LTL Index at 1.218 (-0.9 % QoQ), signaling that retailers remain cautious on restocking ahead of uncertain tariff outcomes. Truckload spot rates dipped 1.5 %, but contractual transport costs held steady. Keyword cluster: “AFS freight demand outlook 2025 Q3”, “parcel pricing index cross-border sellers”.
    Source: PR Newswire, Published on: July 15 2025
6. PayPal User Agreement Update Takes Effect Today
  • PayPal’s revised policy states that using a Personal account to accept goods-and-services payments may trigger rolling reserves or full limitations. New language aligns with FATF “Travel Rule” guidance, requiring merchants to tag sender details on transfers above USD 1,000 equivalent. For Shopify sellers running Facebook and TikTok ads, a Business account plus completed KYC now unlocks instant settlement and Seller Protection on chargebacks. Long-tail keyword: “PayPal business vs personal for dropshipping 2025”.
    Source: PayPal, Published on: July 16 2025
7. Google Tests New Gmail Shopping Card Ad Format
  • Advertisers report that the beta “Product Tile” in the Gmail Promotions tab features a 1,200-px image, star ratings and a price badge—mimicking on-site PDP design and boosting click-through by up to 18 % in early experiments. The format automatically pulls Merchant Center structured data, so feed optimization and keyword-rich alt text such as “fast shipping portable air cooler under $29” can further lift impressions. Phrase to target: “Gmail shopping ad format 2025”.
    Source: PPC News Feed, Published on: July 15 2025
8. Discount Codes from Shareable Links Can Now Stack in Shopify
  • Merchants may combine link-generated coupons with existing cart or checkout codes—enabling influencer promo links, tiered cart boosters and post-purchase upsell codes to coexist. Early adopters see a 9 % uptick in average order value during “triple stack” campaigns (flash sale + affiliate + welcome pop-up). Suggested keyword: “Shopify discount stacking strategy 2025”.
    Source: Shopify Changelog, Published on: July 15 2025
9. Google Demands FINTRAC Registration for Crypto Ads in Canada
  • Advertisers promoting crypto exchanges, wallets or NFT drops to Canadian users must verify a Money Services Business license issued by FINTRAC or face immediate suspension starting July 16. The policy mirrors SEC and ESMA ad frameworks, signaling stricter global oversight on token promotions. Dropshippers offering “pay-with-crypto” checkout options should ensure ad creatives focus on physical product value, not investment returns. Keyword: “Google crypto ad FINTRAC policy 2025”.
    Source: PPC News Feed, Published on: July 16 2025
10. Citi Explores Launching Its Own Stablecoin
  • Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser told analysts the bank is piloting tokenized deposits and a dollar-pegged stablecoin for cross-border B2B settlements, echoing projects by JPM Coin and HSBC Orion. If approved, Citi could offer merchants same-day clearing with lower FX spreads, a potential game-changer for Asia-to-US wholesale transactions. Long-tail keyword: “Citi stablecoin cross-border payments 2025”.
    Source: Reuters, Published on: July 15 2025

Strategic Recommendations

  • Refresh Shipping Tables: Import the latest FedEx & USPS surcharges into your store and reroute small parcels through Gray Poplar one-click fulfillment to keep margins intact.
  • Verify Payment Accounts: Switch personal PayPal accounts to Business before large payouts freeze and highlight “secure PayPal checkout” badges.
  • Leverage Gmail Cards: Test low-price, fast-shipping creatives that emphasise “dropshipped direct from China in 6 days.”
  • Prep for Stablecoin Demand: Add a “USDC coming soon” banner to reassure crypto-savvy buyers and capture press buzz.

Conclusion

  • Rapid fee shifts and policy tweaks require agile sourcing. Gray Poplar dropshipping lets independent sellers pivot shipping lanes within 24 hours.
  • Stay informed, stay compliant, and convert post-Prime-Day traffic with a lean, one-click supply chain.