Week 23 finds the global freight market navigating sustained trans-Pacific demand, persistent port congestion, and policy shifts with trade compliance implications. SECTION 232 TARIFF EXPANSION TAKES EFFECT JUNE 4, 2025 Section 232 tariffs on most imported steel and aluminum will rise from 25% to 50% [...]
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) extended the entry deadline for goods eligible under the in-transit exception to IEEPA Reciprocal Tariffs. The extension applies to shipments loaded prior to the April 5, 9, or 10 effective dates and entered on or before June 15, 2025. This temporary measure remains [...]
OCEAN SERVICE AND DEMAND Ocean carriers are in the process of restoring the Far East–U.S. West Coast loops that were withdrawn in April and early May. The decision follows a sharp recovery in Chinese export bookings that began immediately after the United States and China agreed to a 90-day [...]
U.S.-CHINA TRADE: TRANSPACIFIC CAPACITY TIGHTENS AS DEMAND SURGES Transpacific lanes are experiencing capacity shortages as U.S. importers move quickly to capitalize on the 90-day tariff suspension. Bookings jumped more than 50% week-over-week, with some ports reporting increases above 100%. Many carriers are now fully booked through the end of [...]
On May 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) began accepting tariff relief submissions from importers of USMCA-eligible vehicles seeking to reduce liability under the Section 232 auto duties. This new process implements the President’s March 26 proclamation authorizing USDOC to apply the 25% tariff only to the [...]
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently issued clarification for which shipments moving via feeder vessels fit within the in-transit exemption for reciprocal tariffs. In a May 15, 2025 update to its IEEPA Reciprocal Tariffs FAQ, CBP outlined specific conditions under which cargo qualifies for the exemption, depending on [...]
MANDATORY PFAS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTERS UNDER TSCA Environmental reporting requirements are now in place for U.S. companies that imported products containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) between 2011 and 2022. Enforced under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the rule applies to finished goods, materials, and components treated with [...]
U.S.–CHINA TARIFF SUSPENSION OFFERS SHORT-TERM TARIFF RELIEF FOR U.S. IMPORTERS On May 11, 2025, the United States and China jointly announced a 90-day suspension of select tariffs imposed over the previous six weeks. A new Executive Order, effective May 14, removes 24 percentage points of additional duties on Chinese-origin [...]
On May 12, 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order that formalizes the tariff suspension announced in the U.S.–China Joint Statement released one day prior. The new order provides guidance for implementing the 90-day tariff suspension that grants relief for U.S. importers sourcing goods from China, Hong Kong, [...]
NEWLY ANNOUNCED 90-DAY TARIFF SUSPENSIONS COULD REDUCE IMPORT COSTS ON CHINESE GOODS—IF COMPANIES MOVE QUICKLY On May 12, 2025, the United States and China jointly agreed to temporarily roll back key tariffs imposed over the past six weeks. While the agreement suspends 24 percentage points of newly added tariffs [...]
