When Tariffs Hit, Smart Sellers Expand: Why Amazon Brands Are Looking to New Markets

The landscape for e-commerce sellers is shifting — fast. With rising tariffs, especially under renewed U.S.–China trade tensions, Amazon sellers are feeling the squeeze. Margins are getting tighter, and many brands are starting to ask a critical question:

Where else can we grow?

Tariffs Are Reshaping the Seller Playbook

Over the past year, global sellers — especially those sourcing from China — have been hit by increased import duties, shipping delays, and changing customs policies. For U.S.-based Amazon sellers, these changes directly impact product pricing, profit margins, and long-term scalability.

The old formula of sourcing from China and selling into the U.S. isn’t as bulletproof as it once was.

Sellers Are Exploring New Markets

To stay competitive, more and more brands are looking beyond traditional marketplaces and regions. Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East have all caught attention — but one region is standing out for its size, speed, and affordability:

Russia and the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States).

Why Russia & CIS Markets Stand Out

• Over 250 million consumers across Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan

• $120B+ in annual e-commerce turnover and growing

• Rapid marketplace development, with local platforms scaling logistics and mobile shopping

• Lower competition compared to saturated Western markets

• Increasing consumer demand for foreign brands

We’ve seen firsthand how brands that struggle to stand out on Amazon find new life — and profitability — when entering these markets.

“It Sells Better Than in the U.S.”

That’s not an exaggeration — some of our clients have reported better product performance in Russia than on Amazon, simply because of lower competition and better visibility. Niche categories that are overcrowded in the U.S. are still fresh and in-demand in the CIS region.

Is It Complicated? Not Anymore.

Expanding to a new region sounds intimidating — new regulations, platforms, and logistics challenges. But it doesn’t have to be.

We’ve simplified the process into three clear steps:

1. Set-Up — legal registration, product certification, marketplace onboarding

2. Management — daily store operations, logistics, customer service

3. Optimization — performance analysis, local promotions, pricing adjustments

And no — you don’t need to be physically present in Russia. Everything can be done remotely with the right infrastructure.

Final Thoughts

Tariffs and trade restrictions aren’t going away — but your growth doesn’t have to stop. If you're an Amazon seller looking for real alternatives, now is the time to look east.

The market is growing. Competition is still low. And the demand is real.

Let’s talk about how your product can enter Russia & the CIS — book a free consultation today.