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 ACTION DOES THE SEPTEMBER 25 NOTICE IMPLEMENT? On September 25, 2025, the Federal Register will publish a notice from the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) implementing tariff modifications under the U.S.-EU Framework on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced [...]
WEEK 39 FINDS U.S. IMPORTERS FACING GOLDEN WEEK CAPACITY REDUCTIONS AND SEVERE WEATHER IMPACTS IN SOUTH CHINA U.S. importers are preparing for intensified service challenges as carriers accelerate blank sailings in the lead-up to China’s Golden Week and Super Typhoon Ragasa disrupts major South China ports. Vessel deployment strategies [...]
The United States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to implement the technology provisions of the U.S.–UK Economic Prosperity Deal. The MOU sets joint priorities in artificial intelligence (AI), civil nuclear energy, quantum technologies, and secure infrastructure. While not [...]
WEEK 38 FINDS U.S. IMPORTERS NAVIGATING CAPACITY CUTS AND SERVICE CHANGES AS CHINA'S GOLDEN WEEK APPROACHES U.S. importers are preparing for potential disruptions ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday beginning October 1. Ocean carriers are executing significant capacity cuts, suspending services, and redeploying vessels to keep supply aligned with [...]
Week 37 finds U.S. importers managing elevated inventories as blank sailings reshape transpacific services, congestion builds at key Asian ports, and new trade policies alter tariff obligations heading into the fourth quarter. IS A PEAK SEASON SURGE TAKING SHAPE? Carriers doubled blank sailings in Weeks 35 and 36, signaling [...]
Booking volumes to the United States dropped 20% over the past six weeks, due to the impact of recent U.S. tariff measures and cautious inventory strategies among importers. Pre-season replenishment drove an early summer peak, but as order volumes in the U.S. remain weak, many shippers are waiting to [...]
In Week 35, importers are seeing mixed signals. Space on key transpacific lanes is tightening just as Golden Week preparations ramp up, while congestion at several Asian ports is slowing vessel operations. A new 25% duty on Indian products is now in force adds another layer of compliance to [...]
