Toronto-based Portless has raised $24.7 million CAD ($18 million USD) in Series A funding to help retailers manage escalating import costs amidst a shifting global trade environment.
The round, led by Commerce Ventures and joined by FJ Labs, eGateway Capital, Red Swan Ventures, and Ground Up Ventures, comes after the elimination of the U.S. “de minimis” exemption—a key policy that previously allowed duty-free imports under $800 from countries like China.
New logistics model delays duties until after purchase
The company enables direct-to-consumer brands to ship products via air after they’re sold, avoiding large upfront payments for sea-bound imports. Operating out of a fulfillment hub in Shenzhen, China, the startup pays duties at the U.S. border and recoups them from customers later, creating a deferred-cost model inspired by fast-fashion giants like Shein and Temu.
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CEO Izzy Rosenzweig, who previously founded e-commerce company Browze, said Portless leverages the former company’s infrastructure and team. Portless now supports hundreds of brands, mainly mid-sized retailers generating $5M to $150M USD in annual revenue, and is reporting 300% year-over-year growth.
Expansion plans include new hubs in Vietnam and India
The fresh capital will be used to establish fulfillment centers in Vietnam and India, enhance supply chain operations, and add quality control services.
As global tariff policies continue to evolve, Portless aims to offer small and mid-sized retailers a more resilient and tax-efficient path to cross-border commerce.
