Transpacific Ocean Freight August 2026: Rates & Blank Sailings

Transpacific ocean freight capacity alert showing 14 blank sailings ahead for U.S. importers at a major container port.

Transpacific ocean freight in August 2026 is entering another period of tighter capacity, increasing rate pressure and greater routing complexity. For U.S. importers moving cargo from Asia, the next several weeks deserve particular attention as blank sailings, General Rate Increases, equipment constraints and Panama Canal conditions converge ahead of September. Current market intelligence provided to Global Logistical Connections indicates that 14 blank sailings are scheduled … Read More

Exporting to Mexico in 2026: T-MEC & Freight Guide

Exporting to Mexico in 2026 with U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucks representing T-MEC, southbound freight and nearshoring logistics.

Mexico remains one of the most important markets for North American supply chains. For U.S. and Canadian companies, exporting to Mexico in 2026 is closely tied to regional manufacturing, cross-border trucking, customs compliance, and the evolving T-MEC/USMCA environment. But moving cargo southbound requires more than booking a truck. Exporters need to understand rules of origin, Mexican customs documentation, tariff classification, transportation requirements, and the operational … Read More

PierPASS TMF Increase: What Importers Need to Know

Burgundy drayage truck at a busy container terminal during sunset with cranes, cargo ships, and the headline “PierPASS TMF Increase 2026.”

Importers moving containers through Southern California’s San Pedro Bay port complex should update their landed-cost forecasts. Effective August 1, 2026, the PierPASS Traffic Mitigation Fee, or TMF, at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach increased by 4.77%. The new rate is $40.63 per twenty-foot equivalent unit, or TEU, and $81.26 for containers of all other sizes. The increase applies to non-exempt containers handled … Read More

Ocean Freight Q3 2026: BAF Surcharges Are Rising. Here’s What Importers Should Review Before Booking

GLC Ocean Freight Q3 2026 market update graphic showing a container ship at port, rising cost chart, and BAF surcharge message.

Ocean Freight Q3 2026 is entering a more complex pricing and capacity environment. For importers, the challenge is no longer simply finding the lowest base ocean rate. Fuel-related surcharges, early peak-season demand, carrier capacity management, blank sailings, and tighter booking windows are all influencing the true cost and reliability of moving cargo. One of the biggest changes came with the July quarterly fuel surcharge reset. … Read More

USMCA 2026 Review: What North American Importers Need to Plan For Now

USMCA 2026 review graphic showing a North American container terminal with stacked cargo containers and port cranes.

The USMCA 2026 review is no longer a distant policy milestone. It is now one of the most important trade developments for companies moving goods across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. For importers, exporters, manufacturers, and supply chain teams, the review introduces a new planning environment where compliance, documentation, origin strategy, and cross-border logistics must be evaluated together. On July 1, 2026, the United … Read More

CPSC eFiling Becomes Mandatory July 8, 2026: What Importers Need to Prepare Now

CPSC eFiling compliance blog image showing a July 8, 2026 deadline calendar beside a laptop with an import compliance dashboard and warehouse background.

Beginning July 8, 2026, importers of regulated consumer products will face a major change in how product safety certificate information is submitted during the U.S. customs entry process. Under the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s new eFiling requirements, paper or PDF Certificates of Compliance will no longer be enough on their own for covered imported products. Instead, required certificate data must be submitted electronically as … Read More

Section 301 Forced Labor Tariffs: What U.S. Importers Need to Know

GLC graphic announcing a new Section 301 tariff proposal, featuring an aerial view of a busy container port and cargo terminal.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative has announced findings and proposed action in 60 Section 301 investigations related to forced labor goods. For U.S. importers, this is not just another trade-policy headline. It is a signal that sourcing transparency, customs readiness, and landed-cost planning may become even more important in the months ahead. On June 2, 2026, USTR determined that the acts, policies, … Read More

New Customs Enforcement Order: What Importers Should Review Now

GLC customs enforcement graphic featuring an aerial view of stacked shipping containers with the message “Is Your Import Process Ready?”

Customs enforcement is changing. Importers should prepare before the rules become operational. On June 3, 2026, the White House issued an Executive Order titled Strengthening Customs Enforcement. The order directs the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to pursue a broad customs enforcement reform effort focused on Importers of Record, bond coverage, supply chain disclosures, foreign IORs, audits, penalties, and import … Read More

Transpacific Rates Are Surging: What Importers Need to Review Before Q3

GLC graphic showing an aerial container terminal with the headline “Transpacific Rates Are Moving” and guidance for importers before Q3.

Transpacific ocean freight rates are moving quickly again, and importers that are still planning against Q1 assumptions may need to revisit their Q3 strategy now. The issue is not only the base ocean rate. The current market is being shaped by early peak-season demand, carrier capacity management, blank sailings, fuel-related pressure, and new peak season surcharges. For importers moving goods from Asia into the United … Read More

Ocean Freight Rates Are Climbing Again: What Shippers Need to Know for June and July 2026

Ocean freight rate update graphic featuring a container ship at port with the headline “Ocean Freight Rates Are Climbing Again.”

Ocean freight rates have been climbing steadily for the past several weeks, and the pace is accelerating heading into June and July 2026. For importers shipping from China and from South America, the numbers moving through the market right now are not projections. They are active carrier filings, confirmed General Rate Increases, and spot rate data already reflecting a sharp upward move. If your team … Read More