LETICIA, Colombia The jungle town of Leticia provides Colombia's only access to the Amazon River. But as the river changes course the town could soon be left high and dry and that's fueling a border dispute with neighboring Peru. Drought, sedimentation and meandering by the world's second largest river are gradually pushing the waterway farther south into Peru and away from Colombia.
President Trump eliminated the de minimis exemption effective August 29, 2025. Most U.S.-bound shipments valued at $800 or less will incur applicable duties, taxes, fees, and other charges, although the change affected packages from China and Hong Kong as of May. And the U.S. Postal Service, in collaboration with other domestic postal providers, has a six-month transition period. Nonetheless, the change represents a dramatic shift for ecommerce.
The way most industry leaders think about international ecommerce has radically changed over the last few years, primarily because of the emergence and widespread availability of AI tools. However, automation isn't the only technology shaping the industry. Various other technologies are impacting consumer behavior and the quality of the shopping experience that online businesses can offer. A DHL study revealed that 59% of shoppers purchase items from retailers outside their home country worldwide.