HOW ARE LABOR ACTIONS AFFECTING ROTTERDAM’S TERMINALS? Lashing crews at the Port of Rotterdam began a 48-hour strike on October 8, 2025, in a dispute over wages and working conditions. The strike halted container securing and release operations across several major terminals, including APM Maasvlakte II, Hutchinson Ports Delta II, [...]
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has activated a new Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) enhancement that automatically rejects manifest filings missing critical shipment details. The update went into effect on September 27, 2025, and applies across all transportation modes. WHY DID CBP MAKE THIS CHANGE? CBP’s new automation is part [...]
USTR SECTION 301 PORT-FEE IMPLEMENTATION PROMPTS FLEET REALIGNMENT The October 14, 2025, implementation of USTR’s Section 301 vessel-fee measure is prompting major carriers to adjust network deployment and reduce exposure to Chinese-built tonnage calling at U.S. ports. The policy introduces phased service fees on Chinese-owned and Chinese-built vessels over [...]
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has posted the second round of product inclusion requests for steel and aluminum derivatives under Section 232 tariffs. Ninety-five requests were submitted to the Department of Commerce for review, each proposing new Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings for potential [...]
HOW IS CBP OPERATING DURING THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN? U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has confirmed that trade operations will continue without interruption during the federal government shutdown. All CBP personnel responsible for processing imports, enforcing tariffs, and managing trade compliance are classified as exempted employees and are required to [...]
WHAT DOES THE PFIZER MOST-FAVORED-NATION AGREEMENT MEAN FOR U.S. TRADE POLICY? On September 30, 2025, the White House announced an agreement with Pfizer establishing the first application of most-favored-nation (MFN) pricing to U.S. pharmaceuticals. The policy is based on Executive Order 14297, signed May 12, 2025, “Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug [...]
WEAK TRANSPACIFIC DEMAND AND SOUTH CHINA CONGESTION AHEAD OF GOLDEN WEEK Golden Week closures from October 1, 2025, through October 7, 2025, and residual typhoon recovery continue to pressure South China’s supply network while trans-Pacific volumes remain subdued. Space availability is ample across most lanes, with limited constraints on [...]
WHICH IMPORTS ARE SUBJECT TO THE NEW SECTION 232 WOOD PRODUCT TARIFFS? Section 232 tariffs on timber, lumber, upholstered furniture, and wooden cabinets and vanities will take effect on October 14, 2025, following a White House proclamation issued under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The proclamation sets new duty [...]
WHAT NEW TARIFFS DID THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCE? The White House recently issued a series of public statements via social media outlining new import tariffs effective October 1, 2025. The measures focus on heavy trucks, household furnishings, and branded pharmaceuticals. According to the statements, the following new tariffs will apply: [...]
WHAT IS THE NEW ACH REFUND AUTHORIZATION FUNCTIONALITY? On September 24, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the release of a new Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) Refund Authorization tab in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal. The new functionality will become operational on September 30, 2025. This [...]
