If you're launching (or fulfilling) a crowdfunding campaign in 2025, there’s a new hurdle you can’t afford to ignore: tariffs. Recent US trade changes have sharply raised import taxes on a wide range of products — especially from China, but also on key materials from other countries.
For creators who rely on overseas manufacturing, that means higher costs, tougher logistics, and tighter margins.
The good news?
While the rules have changed, success is still absolutely within reach. You just need a clear understanding of what’s different, where the risks are hiding, and what smart moves you can make right now to protect your project (and your profits).
In this guide, we’ll break down the new tariffs, and show you step-by-step strategies to adapt your manufacturing, fulfillment, and backer communication plans without losing momentum.
Let’s jump in.
What’s New with the US Tariffs in 2025
In 2025, US tariffs on imported goods — especially from China — are still creating major challenges for crowdfunding creators.
But here’s the key: this year didn’t bring a sweeping tariff hike for most consumer products. Instead, the real changes are more targeted, and in some cases, more disruptive than they first appear.
Here’s what’s different in 2025:
- Strategic Industries Got New Tariff Hikes:
Chinese-made electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels, semiconductors, and certain medical supplies now face much higher tariffs — in some cases up to 100%.
- De Minimis Exemption Ended for China:
Small shipments (under $800) from China used to enter duty-free. Now, every shipment — no matter how small — gets taxed. Ending the exemption for China-origin goods in 2025 means thousands of crowdfunding creators now face new tariffs even on shipments that would have previously slipped through tax-free.
In 2023 alone, over 1 billion small packages entered the U.S. duty-free under the de minimis rule, valued at more than $54.5 billion, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- More Scrutiny and Enforcement:
Even products that already faced tariffs (like apparel, furniture, and toys) are seeing tougher customs inspections, slower processing, and higher overall compliance costs.
If your campaign involves products from China, even if the official tariff rate hasn’t changed, your import costs and risks are higher than ever.
Understanding where the pressure points are and how to adjust is critical for keeping your project on track.
How to Protect Your Campaign
Whether your campaign is directly hit by the 2025 tariff hikes or simply feeling the squeeze from higher import costs now’s the time to rethink your strategy.
Here’s your action plan to keep production, fulfillment, and backer trust on solid ground:
1. Adjust Your Manufacturing and Sourcing Plans
- Check Your Product Categories Carefully:
If you’re in clean tech, medical, or electronics, confirm whether your items now fall under the new high-tariff lists. Even small components (like a lithium battery inside a gadget) could trigger bigger duties.
- Explore Alternative Manufacturing Locations:
If you’re still producing in China, consider shifting to countries not facing new tariffs like Vietnam, India, Thailand, or Mexico. Many apparel, home goods, and toy makers have already diversified to these regions to lower risk.
- Partial Assembly Workarounds:
Some creators are splitting manufacturing: sourcing parts globally, then doing final assembly in the US or a trade-friendly country. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re facing a steep tariff category, this might dramatically cut import costs.
2. Rework Your Pricing and Budget
- Update Your Cost Calculations:
Add tariffs and new compliance fees into your unit cost not just product cost, but shipping, customs brokerage, and warehouse handling. Assume slightly longer timelines too.
- Revisit Your Funding Goal:
If you’re pre-launch, build a bigger buffer into your Kickstarter or Indiegogo goal. It's easier to aim slightly higher than to scramble for extra funds later.
- Be Upfront About Shipping Costs:
Consider charging shipping separately after the campaign (via a pledge manager), so you can adjust based on real fulfillment expenses once you lock in final production plans.
3. Strengthen Your Fulfillment Strategy
- Plan for Extra Customs Delays:
Even low-risk products are moving slower through US customs in 2025, especially China-origin goods. Add padding to your delivery timelines.
- Use Regional Fulfillment Partners:
If you have backers in the EU, Canada, or Asia, ship batches to fulfillment centers there rather than shipping everything through the US and doubling costs.
- Factor in the End of De Minimis:
For China-origin shipments, assume that every parcel will now incur duties. Direct shipping of small packages won’t dodge tariffs anymore.
4. Communicate Transparently with Backers
- Explain the New Landscape:
A short, simple update (or campaign note) explaining tariff impacts helps set expectations, and keeps you from looking disorganized later if prices rise or deliveries delay.
- Share Your Mitigation Plan:
Whether you’re absorbing costs, changing manufacturers, or tweaking timelines, tell your backers what you’re doing to protect the project.
- Stay Flexible:
If tariffs shift again mid-campaign (and they might), be ready to post updates and adjust accordingly. Crowdfunding is dynamic and your communication should be too.
It's a lot to process, and if you're feeling unsure about what to do next, you're not alone. Navigating tariffs, sourcing shifts, and fulfillment challenges isn’t simple, especially when your project’s timeline and budget are on the line.
If you’d like expert help sorting through your options and building a solid plan, TCF offers one-on-one consultations tailored specifically for crowdfunding creators facing these kinds of hurdles.
Smart Shipping Tips for 2025 and Beyond
Shipping and fulfillment decisions can make or break your campaign's survival in 2025. Here’s exactly where you can win and what mistakes to avoid when moving goods across borders under the new tariff landscape:
1. Know When to Bulk Ship vs. Direct Ship
Bulk ship to the US if:
- Your product is heavy, oversized, or fragile (like furniture, appliances, or heavy board games).
- You can afford to pay all duties and store goods for local shipping afterward.
Direct ship to backers if:
- Your product is small, lightweight, and non-China origin (e.g., made in Vietnam, Mexico, India).
- You want to use the $800 de minimis rule to avoid duties on individual packages.
What to actually do:
- If you have many different reward tiers (e.g., base version, deluxe version, add-ons), split shipments by reward tier during production. This prevents huge fulfillment headaches later when trying to match products to backer pledges.
- Ask your fulfillment partner to quote both options (bulk vs direct courier).
- Do the math: Total cost per unit delivered. Sometimes bulk seems cheaper but gets crushed by warehousing and reshipping fees.
2. Use a Pledge Manager to Handle Shipping Costs Dynamically
In 2025, predicting shipping costs upfront is risky. Tariffs, delays, and fees can all fluctuate.
- Don't bake final shipping into your Kickstarter/Indiegogo pledge.
- Use a pledge manager to collect shipping fees after the campaign ends.
- You can adjust final shipping charges based on real fulfillment costs — and explain transparently why (tariffs, customs, freight rates).
3. Pre-Classify Your Products Carefully
Wrong HTS code = unexpected duties = disaster.
What to actually do:
- Hire a customs broker for a one-time consultation before you ship.
- Double-check classification especially if you’re shipping electronics, smart home devices, or anything that could fit multiple tariff categories.
- Pre-build SKUs for every reward tier and classify each bundle properly for customs.
Don't rely on "miscellaneous gift" or "kit" declarations. Customs hates vague product listings in 2025 and delays them for inspection. Instead of declaring “gift bundle,” list “Bluetooth headset + fabric carry case” with HTS codes for both items.
Pro tip: Avoid letting your Chinese supplier declare the HTS code for you without verification. Their goal is speed, not your savings.
4. Build a 20–30 Day Buffer Into Delivery Estimates
Customs slowdowns are real in 2025, especially for China-origin products.
What to actually do:
- Add 20–30 days extra into your Kickstarter/Indiegogo delivery timelines before launch.
- State it clearly in your campaign that timelines may adjust based on customs processing (so backers expect it).
According to Flexport, ocean freight times from China to the U.S. West Coast averaged 34.5 days in December 2024, significantly longer than pre-pandemic averages of 20–25 days. Longer customs inspections and seasonal port congestion are now a real factor for campaign fulfillment.
5. Double-Check De Minimis Eligibility Based on Final Assembly
- China-made products: No de minimis. Every shipment is taxed.
- Vietnam, India, Mexico assembly: Eligible for de minimis under $800.
What to actually do:
- Request country-of-origin certificates from your factory before locking shipping plans.
- Verify certificates through your freight forwarder or 3PL if you’re unsure.
6. Ship Partial Batches to Avoid Warehouse Overload
In 2025, many fulfillment centers are overwhelmed with sudden tariff-pushed imports.
- Split your shipment into smaller timed batches (e.g., 1,000 units now, 1,000 units 3 weeks later).
- Negotiate storage fees early: don’t get surprised by warehouse “overflow” surcharges.
7. Prepare for "Split Shipments" to Keep Promises
Because tariffs and customs are more volatile now, it’s sometimes smarter to ship in waves rather than hold everything for one perfect shipment.
- Tell backers early you might ship core rewards first and extras (like stretch goals) separately if needed to avoid major delays.
Something like "If needed, we’ll split shipments to get you the main product faster, and send bonus items separately at no extra cost." will do.
Backers appreciate honesty — and getting the main product faster makes them way more patient about bonus delays.
8. Don't Promise "Worldwide Shipping" Without Thinking Twice
This was already risky, and now in 2025, it's dangerous.
- Limit shipping regions at launch if you can’t guarantee tariffs and fulfillment costs will stay reasonable.
- Focus on "safe" markets first: US, Canada, EU (if you have a partner), Australia, New Zealand.
You can always open additional regions later once fulfillment plans are confirmed but clawing back worldwide promises after funding looks bad.
9. Plan for Backup Carriers
Don’t rely on a single freight carrier or courier service anymore.
- Book ocean freight + courier backup at the same time if your timeline is tight.
- Work with forwarders that can reroute shipments between ports if customs congestion happens.
Tip: Having DHL, FedEx, and USPS all prepped gives you flexibility even if you don't use all of them immediately.
Talking to Backers About It
Shipping delays and unexpected costs aren't fun to talk about. But in 2025, clear, honest communication is one of the best tools you have. Handled well, even tough news can actually build backer trust instead of breaking it.
Here’s how to keep your backers informed, confident, and supportive:
1. Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Don’t wait until there’s a major delay or cost overrun to say something. Crowdfunding backers know projects face challenges. What frustrates them is silence.
What to do:
- Post an update explaining shipping and tariff risks before problems happen.
- Frame it as part of your commitment to transparency and success.
2. Explain the Situation Clearly, Without Blame
Avoid getting political, defensive, or blaming others. Focus on facts: new tariffs, fulfillment challenges, and your plan to handle them.
What to say:
- Briefly explain that new trade policies and shipping rules are affecting timelines and costs globally, and that you're adapting.
Keep your tone calm, professional, and focused on solutions, not excuses or venting.
3. Offer Choices If Possible
If you have to make tough calls (like split shipping or added fees), give backers options when you can. Crowdfunding is a community experience, and people feel better when they're included in the decision.
Example:
"Would you prefer to receive the main reward now and the bonus item later, or wait for everything together?"
Use simple surveys if needed. Most pledge managers offer them.
Example Backer Update Templates
Need some help figuring out what to say? Here are ready-to-go templates you can customize based on your situation, whether you’re adjusting timelines, updating shipping costs, or just keeping backers in the loop.
Template 1: Proactive Shipping Update (Before Problems)
Subject: Shipping & Fulfillment Update
Hi everyone,
As we move into production and fulfillment, we wanted to be upfront about some new global shipping challenges in 2025, including changes to tariffs and customs processing times.
We've built extra time and cost buffers into our logistics plan to keep your rewards moving as smoothly as possible. Right now, we’re on track, but we’re closely monitoring the situation and will keep you updated if anything changes.
Thank you for your incredible support and patience as we navigate the home stretch!
Template 2: Announcing a Delivery Timeline Adjustment
Subject: Shipping Update: A Small Shift in Our Delivery Timeline
Hi [Backer Name],
We’re reaching out with a quick update on shipping.
As many of you may have seen, new customs policies and tighter port inspections are slowing down shipments globally this year. To make sure we're setting the right expectations, we're adjusting our delivery window slightly:
- Original Estimate: [Month/Year]
- Updated Estimate: [Month/Year] (adding about 30 days)
We know waiting is never fun — especially after all your amazing support — but we’re doing everything we can to keep the momentum going. Production is on track, and we’re working closely with our shipping partners to move things along as quickly (and smoothly) as possible.
Thank you so much for your patience and belief in this project. We’ll keep you posted with regular updates as rewards start moving your way!
Template 3: Handling a Shipping Cost Adjustment
Subject: Shipping Cost Adjustment: What’s Changing and Why
Hi everyone,
We wanted to update you transparently:
Due to unexpected tariff changes and new customs fees in 2025, shipping costs for some regions have increased beyond our original estimates.
To keep the project sustainable, we’re adjusting shipping charges during the pledge manager phase.
Here’s what to expect:
- Shipping charges will be finalized in [Month/Year] when surveys are sent.
- We’re working hard to minimize the impact, and in some cases, absorb part of the additional costs ourselves.
Thank you so much for your support and understanding, and for being part of making [Product Name] a reality!
Conclusion
Tariffs and shipping challenges may have raised the stakes for crowdfunding creators in 2025 but they haven't changed the bigger picture: with the right strategy, clear planning, and honest communication, you can still launch, fund, and deliver a successful campaign.
The landscape is different, yes. It’s a little tougher. But you’re already doing the smart thing by getting informed early and adjusting your plan.
Remember:
- The earlier you adapt your sourcing, pricing, and fulfillment, the more control you keep.
- The better you communicate with your backers, the more loyal they’ll stay — even if timelines shift.
- The more flexible you are with shipping, the better you'll dodge unexpected costs.
Challenges like these don't define your campaign, how you respond to them does.
You've got this!
