U.S. containerized imports closed 2025 slightly below prior-year levels, while early 2026 reflects uneven demand across regions. China-origin volumes continued to erode into December as Southeast Asia gained share, leaving capacity available but misaligned with demand. Carriers deployed additional tonnage ahead of Lunar New Year, boosting utilization without tightening [...]
WHAT TRADE ACTION ON IRAN HAS THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED? The White House stated on January 12, 2026, that the United States will impose a 25 percent tariff on any country conducting business with the Islamic Republic of Iran when goods are shipped into the United States. The announcement indicates [...]
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reinforced its expectations for first sale valuation in Ruling H337689, issued October 6, 2025, and recently published publicly. The decision highlights that first sale eligibility depends on an importer’s ability to document how title, risk of loss, and pricing operate across each tier of [...]
Week 2 finds the freight market transitioning from year end recovery into early pre Lunar New Year positioning, defined by elevated ocean capacity, uneven port conditions across Asia and Europe, and a gradual normalization of transpacific air cargo operations. Carrier deployment decisions ahead of the late 2026 Lunar New [...]
Beginning February 6, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will issue refunds electronically through Automated Clearing House (ACH) rather than by paper check, except in limited circumstances. The change is outlined in an interim final rule published January 2, 2026. Refunds processed on or after February 6, 2026, will [...]
U.S. importers of upholstered wooden furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities will see no change in Section 232 duty rates in 2026 following a new White House proclamation issued on December 31, 2025. The action amends Proclamation 10976 and postpones scheduled tariff increases that were set to take effect on January [...]
In a move that could ripple across global supply chains, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced decisive action in response to years of industrial policy by the People’s Republic of China aimed at securing dominance in the semiconductor sector. The formal notice, scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on December 29, [...]
The United States has modified tariffs to implement provisions of the U.S.–Switzerland–Liechtenstein Agreement on Fair, Balanced, and Reciprocal Trade. In an unpublished document, the International Trade Administration and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule is amended to grant provisional reciprocal tariff treatment while final [...]
TRANSPACIFIC CAPACITY REMAINS LONG AS CARRIERS EXTEND YEAR END BLANK SAILINGS Transpacific container markets remain oversupplied as December demand continues to fade. Carriers are relying heavily on blank sailings to manage utilization, particularly into the USWC where vessel rotations remain highly fluid and short term. USEC services are showing [...]
The Department of Commerce has formally opened the January 2026 inclusions window under the Section 232 automobile parts framework established by Proclamation 10908 and the interim final rule that took effect in September 2025. The notice issued by the International Trade Administration confirms that the process is now operational for [...]
