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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03 May 2025

Global Shipping Shake-Up: Tariffs, Blank Sailings, and the Battle for Capacity

The 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 […]

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29 Apr 2025

Record-Breaking March for Air Cargo Fueled by Pre-Tariff Frontloading

Air 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 […]

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28 Apr 2025

China-to-US Air Cargo Faces Further Cuts as Demand Shifts to Southeast Asia

Several 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 […]

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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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23 Apr 2025

Full Steam Ahead or Dead in the Water?

A 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 […]

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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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21 Apr 2025

USTR Finalizes Section 301 Actions on China Shipbuilding

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced its final actions regarding the Section 301 investigation into China’s shipbuilding industry, introducing significant changes from the initial proposals. Key Changes and Fee Structure: Revised Fees: Instead of a flat fee, new fees will be based on vessel net tonnage (NT) or container count and will apply per […]

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18 Apr 2025

India Emerges as Key Pivot in Asia’s Supply Chain Shake-Up

Rising trade tensions between the United States and China are expected to trigger significant shifts in Asia’s supply chain dynamics, as regional manufacturers look to diversify markets and mitigate risks, according to Indian industry sources. Speaking to the Journal of Commerce, several experts noted that Chinese exporters, grappling with declining demand from the US due […]

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