16 May 2025

Transpacific Air Cargo Rebounds—But Still Flying Below 2024 Levels

Widebody freighter capacity on the transpacific trade lane is rebounding, though it still trails volumes seen this time last year. According to data from aviation consultancy Rotate, widebody freighter capacity between Asia Pacific and North America rose 18% over the past 24 hours compared to the same period last week—an increase equivalent to 10 additional […]

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15 May 2025

Carriers Push Rates Sky-High as US–China Tariff Pause Triggers Booking Surge

Major container shipping lines are pushing for spot rates on shipments from China to the US West Coast that are more than double current levels, aiming to capitalize on a surge in demand sparked by a temporary easing of US tariffs on Chinese goods. Spot rates have already started rising following Monday’s announcement of a […]

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13 May 2025

U.S. Slashes China Tariffs for 90 Days

Following a trade de-escalation agreement between the United States and China announced on Monday, May 12, the White House released an Executive Order outlining how the temporary tariff suspension will be implemented. The order addresses ad valorem duty rates, tariff classifications, and de minimis thresholds affecting goods imported from China and Hong Kong. Key Provisions […]

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12 May 2025

Trade War Hits the Brakes

Air cargo volumes and capacity are expected to rise in the coming days after the United States and China agreed to a 90-day partial suspension of their ongoing trade war. The dispute had driven tariffs between the two nations to more than 100%, with additional duties placed on e-commerce shipments. Following a weekend of negotiations, […]

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07 May 2025

Shippers Turn to FTZs to Shield High-Value Goods

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 […]

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05 May 2025

De Minimis Crackdown: U.S. Slams Door on Duty-Free Chinese Imports

As 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 […]

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24 Apr 2025

Contract Gridlock: How Tariffs Are Stalling Global Trade

Ongoing 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 […]

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22 Apr 2025

Trade Tensions Stitch Trouble for US Apparel Imports

A 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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