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
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 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
Scaling Pet Supply? Fix Your Logistics First
The U.S. pet supply market keeps growing, and that creates a major opportunity for brands selling pet food, treats, toys, grooming products, accessories, and other pet care items. According to the American Pet Products Association, U.S. pet industry spending reached $158 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $165 billion in 2026. But growth also creates pressure. More SKUs, more import requirements, more retailers, … Read More
Customs Clearance Starts Before Arrival
Customs clearance before arrival is one of the most important steps importers can take to reduce delays, avoid compliance gaps, and improve shipment visibility. For many companies, customs clearance feels like something that happens only when cargo reaches the port, airport, or border. In reality, the strongest customs process starts before the shipment moves. A missing invoice, incorrect classification, late Importer Security Filing, inactive customs … Read More
Trends in the Pet Industry and What They Mean for Logistics
The global pet industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with sustained growth driven by changing consumer behavior and increased spending across categories, as highlighted by the American Pet Products Association’s industry trends and statistics What was once a stable market centered around basic food and accessories has transformed into a dynamic, innovation-driven sector fueled by premium products, e-commerce growth, and changing consumer expectations. … Read More
Cargo Theft Myths Shippers Still Believe
When many people hear the term cargo theft, they picture a stolen trailer, a broken seal, or a parked truck targeted overnight. That still happens, but the risk environment has changed. Today, cargo crime is often more strategic, more digital, and harder to detect at first glance. That is why shippers need to think beyond physical security alone and take a closer look at the … Read More
Section 232 Metals Update: What Importers Need to Review Now
On April 2, 2026, the White House announced a new Section 232 action affecting steel, aluminum, and copper imports, along with certain derivative products, reshaping valuation, scope, and product treatment for many importers. At first glance, it may look like another tariff headline. In practice, this update is more significant than a simple rate increase. The new action changes how some products are valued for … Read More
Fuel Volatility Is Reshaping Transportation Costs
Fuel prices have always influenced transportation costs, but in the current market, the impact is becoming harder to ignore. For many shippers, the biggest challenge is not only that diesel is expensive. It is that diesel volatility is now flowing directly into weekly fuel surcharge adjustments, making logistics budgets more difficult to predict from one week to the next. That matters because transportation spend is … Read More
When Conflict Disrupts the Supply Chain
What Shippers Should Watch in Lead Times, PO Management, and Strategic Routing Geopolitical conflict is often discussed in terms of headlines, oil prices, or market reactions. For importers, exporters, and logistics teams, however, the real impact shows up somewhere more immediate: in lead times that stop behaving predictably, purchase orders that require constant reprioritization, and routing decisions that suddenly carry far greater operational and financial … Read More