US shippers are increasingly turning to foreign trade zones (FTZs) as a potential solution to offset the cost of Trump administration tariffs on high-value goods and merchandise. However, limited storage capacity and administrative complexity make FTZs far from a guaranteed fix. FTZs are specially designated domestic areas, usually near a port of entry, where high-value […]
Read MoreU.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Yemen’s Houthi militants have agreed to cease their 18-month campaign of missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. If confirmed, this could pave the way for major ocean carriers to resume using the Suez Canal, potentially creating vessel overcapacity in an already strained container […]
Read MoreAs of May 2, the United States has officially ended the de minimis exemption for packages arriving from China and Hong Kong. This change eliminates duty-free entry for shipments valued under $800, subjecting them instead to significantly higher tariffs and stricter customs procedures. Under the new policy, affected packages will either face a 120% tariff […]
Read MoreThe suspension of China–U.S. shipments and a wave of blank sailings on the trans-Pacific trade lane may lead to a significant redistribution of vessel capacity, according to Alexandra Ilascu of Kuehne + Nagel. Speaking during the Journal of Commerce’s Asia-Europe webinar, Ilascu warned that these shifts are likely to impact other trade routes, including Asia-Europe […]
Read MoreFireworks have long been a staple of the Fourth of July celebrations but this year, Americans may face shortages and higher prices. The reason? Nearly all fireworks sold in the U.S. are imported from China, and the steep 145% tariff on Chinese goods is forcing U.S. distributors to either raise prices significantly or cut back […]
Read MoreAir cargo demand rebounded in March, driven in part by businesses accelerating shipments ahead of anticipated U.S. tariff changes. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global airfreight demand, measured in cargo tonne kilometers (CTK), rose 4.4% compared to the same month last year. Capacity also increased by 4.3%, while the cargo load factor […]
Read MoreSeveral major Chinese airlines are reportedly considering the cancellation of their services to the United States, though no final decisions have been made, according to logistics provider Dimerco. “If these cancellations proceed, the already tight air cargo capacity from China to the US will shrink even further,” the company warned. Kathy Liu, vice president of […]
Read MoreOngoing uncertainty around the Trump administration’s shifting tariff policies is disrupting the usual schedule for signing annual service contracts between ocean carriers and importers on the eastbound trans-Pacific trade lane. According to sources cited by the Journal of Commerce, negotiations that typically conclude by late April for contracts starting May 1 have been delayed by […]
Read MoreA renewed push to revive US commercial shipbuilding is stirring debate, following the Biden administration’s decision—carried over from a Trump-era stance—to levy steep fines on Chinese-built and Chinese-owned vessels. Announced on April 17 by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the policy aims to send a “demand signal for US-built ships,” according […]
Read MoreA recent report from consultancy firm Trade Partnership Worldwide has raised concerns over the potential impact of heightened tariffs and port fees on the US apparel trade. If current tariff hikes become permanent and additional fees on Chinese vessels are enforced, the US could see a noticeable decline in clothing imports, the study warns. While […]
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