Why Consolidated Shipping Matters More Than Ever in the Era of Rising Tariffs

How GorillaShip helps global collectors and buyers beat the new wave of international shipping costs.

Over the last several months, international shipping has become more expensive, less predictable, and harder to manage. The recent return of Donald Trump’s U.S. tariffs on goods from China, Europe, and other trading nations has sent shockwaves through the global logistics industry. What was once a smooth, affordable process for overseas buyers has turned into a costly challenge — especially for hobbyists, small businesses, and collectors who buy in the United States and ship their items home.

At GorillaShip, we’ve seen firsthand how these changes affect customers worldwide. The good news? There’s still a smart way to fight back — and it starts with shipping consolidation.

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The Tariff Effect: Why Shipping Costs Are Soaring

Tariffs don’t just affect importers and governments — they ripple through every layer of the logistics chain. When tariffs go up, so do:

• Base courier rates, as carriers face reduced trade volumes and try to recover revenue losses.

• Handling and customs fees, especially when goods are split across multiple small packages.

• Fuel and port surcharges, which are passed directly to consumers.

• Insurance premiums, since risk and declared value become more difficult to predict.

  
  

Under Trump’s renewed tariff structure, many products that used to move freely — including electronics, apparel, and collectibles — now face extra duties. International buyers, particularly in the UK and EU, are feeling the squeeze as couriers and freight forwarders adjust their pricing to reflect the higher costs of doing business.

The result? A single shipment that once cost $30 to send overseas can now exceed $50 or even $100 once duties, taxes, and handling are factored in.

Why Consolidation Is the Smartest Move in 2025

Consolidated shipping means grouping all your U.S. purchases — whether from eBay, Topps, Walmart, or a local card shop — into one large, secure parcel before sending it overseas. By doing this, you can dramatically reduce overall shipping and handling costs while simplifying customs paperwork and risk exposure.

Here’s why this matters now more than ever:

1. You Beat Tariff Multiplication

When you send ten small packages individually, you pay duties, taxes, and courier fees on each shipment. By consolidating through GorillaShip, you’re only paying those tariffs once, on a single export. That’s direct savings, often amounting to 89% or more in total cost reduction.

2. You Save on Courier and Handling Fees

Carriers like FedEx, DHL, and UPS have raised their international base rates due to reduced global freight volume and new tariff-linked surcharges. Sending a single 10-pound consolidated box is now far cheaper than shipping ten one-pound boxes individually. GorillaShip’s bulk export partnerships let you access rates that the average buyer simply can’t get on their own.

3. You Control Declared Value and Insurance Smarter

With tariffs pushing customs declarations under greater scrutiny, GorillaShip customers can still choose the right mix of customs value and third-party insurance through our ShipSmart coverage — giving you flexibility in how your shipments are protected and declared. This keeps your insurance realistic and your customs paperwork compliant.

4. You Reduce Environmental and Administrative Waste

Consolidation means fewer boxes, labels, and trips through customs. It’s not just cheaper — it’s more sustainable and far less of a headache when it comes to tracking, paperwork, or dealing with potential claims.

A Real-World Example: How Collectors Are Winning

Let’s say you’re a UK collector buying U.S. sports cards and memorabilia. You purchase from Topps, Fanatics, and several eBay sellers over a few weeks.

If you shipped each order directly, you’d pay:

• ~$25–$40 per package in international courier fees

• Customs duty and VAT each time

• A separate handling charge per shipment

By consolidating everything at GorillaShip’s U.S. warehouse, you can store your purchases, combine them into one export, and send a single, protected shipment. That one shipment might cost $60 total instead of $250 — all while arriving safer and fully trackable with optional insurance.

The Bottom Line: Tariffs Are Here, But You’re Still in Control

While Trump’s tariffs have undeniably increased the cost of international trade, how you ship matters just as much as what you ship. Consolidation transforms an unpredictable, costly environment into one where you can still win — saving money, reducing risk, and taking back control of your global buying power.

At GorillaShip, we specialize in making that possible for our community of global collectors, hobbyists, and small businesses. Our system is designed for transparency, efficiency, and flexibility in a time when logistics has never been more complex.

Join the Smarter Way to Ship

If you’re tired of paying multiple courier bills, frustrated by high tariffs, or simply want your collectibles shipped safely and efficiently, GorillaShip is ready to help.

📦 Sign up today at GorillaShip.co.uk to start consolidating, saving, and shipping smarter — no matter what the global tariff landscape looks like tomorrow.