Portless, a logistics startup, has raised $18 million in a Series A funding round led by Commerce Ventures, alongside FJ Labs, eGateway Capital, Red Swan Ventures, and Group Up Ventures. The company provides a fulfillment model inspired by Shein, shipping products directly from factories in Shenzhen, China, to customers in Western markets. This model supported fast delivery while leveraging the now-ended U.S. de minimis exemption, which allowed duty-free imports under $800. With the end of this provision on May 2 due to new tariffs by the Trump administration, Portless had already prepared by offering alternative solutions, such as using a Type 11 informal entry process and deferring duty payments.
Portless primarily serves mid-market brands earning $5 million to $150 million annually, offering advantages like improved cash flow and demand-aligned production by fulfilling small orders via air freight. Its clientele includes brands like Canopy, Andy & Evan, and SA Fishing. Founder and CEO Izzy Rosenzweig plans to use the new funding to expand operations into Vietnam and India, and to add services including quality control booking through its portal. The investment reflects confidence that direct shipping from manufacturers will be a future standard in retail logistics.
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