E-commerce news
One story a day from the e-commerce world, and what it means for your store.
41 stories
- Funding & deals
Descartes buys 3PL warehouse software maker Extensiv for about $120M
Logistics software group Descartes announced on September 1 that it has acquired Extensiv, a California provider of warehouse management and fulfillment software for third-party logistics providers, for about US$120 million in cash. Sellers whose 3PLs run Extensiv are indirectly affected.
- Policy & regulation
EU Council gives final approval to customs reform targeting e-commerce
The Council of the EU approved a customs overhaul that makes non-EU platforms the importer of goods they sell, ends the €150 duty exemption and adds a small-parcel handling fee by November 1. Cross-border sellers shipping into the EU are directly affected.
- Platforms
Amazon to require $1M liability insurance in safety categories from Nov 2
From November 2, Amazon.com sellers in enhanced-safety categories such as children's, cosmetic, ingestible and lithium battery products need $1 million liability cover regardless of sales. Mainland China-based sellers must buy new policies through the Amazon Insurance Accelerator.
- Logistics
Amazon Shipping sets 2026 peak surcharges, skips residential and weekend fees
Amazon Shipping will add a per-package peak surcharge of $0.50–$0.75 from Oct. 25, 2026 to Jan. 16, 2027, plus higher fees for oversized and heavy parcels. Businesses using Amazon's parcel service, including those shipping orders from other sales channels, are affected.
- Funding & deals
Shein debuts in Hong Kong at HK$48.56, closes 8.9% lower on day one
Shein began trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on September 1 under stock code 00625 after raising about US$1.74 billion. Its prospectus puts marketplace commissions at 10% to 20% of transaction value, public data that matters to sellers on its platform.
- Policy & regulation
FTC and 22 states sue Amazon over hidden surcharges in ad auctions
The FTC and 22 states allege Amazon quietly charged advertisers their own winning bid most of the time while claiming a second-price auction. More than 1 million brands and sellers, including 500,000+ small businesses, were affected, the FTC says.
- Logistics
UPS and FedEx raise 2026 holiday residential surcharges by about 25%
UPS has published 2026–27 peak demand surcharges starting Sept. 27 for oversized parcels and Oct. 25 for residential ground, with FedEx's residential peak fees also higher than last year. Sellers shipping direct to consumers through either carrier will pay more per parcel from late October to mid-January.
- Funding & deals
Stripe and Advent drop $53B bid for PayPal; PayPal shares slide
Stripe and private equity firm Advent International have ended their pursuit of PayPal, according to Axios and Reuters, after offering $60.50 a share. Merchants using PayPal, Venmo or Stripe keep dealing with two separate, independent companies.
- Funding & deals
Levanta raises $22M to link Amazon and Walmart sellers with creators
Seattle-based creator affiliate platform Levanta announced a $22 million Series B led by Volition Capital on August 27. Brands selling on Amazon, Walmart and Shopify that pay creators to drive traffic are the core users.
- Social commerce
YouTube lets US creators tag Amazon products and earn commissions
Amazon has joined the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program, so eligible US creators can tag Amazon products in Shorts, videos and livestreams. Amazon sellers gain a new creator traffic source, while DTC brands face new competition for creator tags.