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
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
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
CIT Order: Remove IEEPA Duties Before Liquidation (2026)
Court of International Trade: Unliquidated Entries Should Not Liquidate With IEEPA Duties (What Importers Should Do Now) On March 4, 2026, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued an order instructing the government to finalize the processing of goods entering the United States without assessing IEEPA-based tariffs, following the Supreme Court’s finding that IEEPA does not authorize these tariffs. Practically, this applies to entries … Read More
25% Tariffs on Countries “Doing Business” With Iran
In mid-January 2026, multiple major outlets reported that President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff targeting any country that “does business” with Iran, described as effective immediately via a social media statement. For supply chain leaders, the headline isn’t just “a new tariff.” It’s the uncertainty: Which countries qualify? What counts as “doing business”? Will CBP publish implementation guidance? Will it stack on top of … Read More
A $1.2T Trade Deficit, New Tariff Pressure
On December 9, 2025, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee reviewed USTR activities and FY2026 funding priorities, with Ambassador Jamieson Greer as the witness. The hearing emphasized the use of reciprocal tariffs as an enforcement tool aimed at addressing a reported $1.2 trillion trade deficit. While the memo is written through an agriculture lens, the themes apply broadly across supply chains: More tariffs used as leverage … Read More
Counterfeits at the Border: Lessons from CBP’s $18.6M Louisville Interception
In early December 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Louisville intercepted three international shipments containing counterfeit luxury goods, valued at more than $18.6 million if authentic. This wasn’t a “one-off.” It’s a clear signal that counterfeiters continue to exploit express and parcel channels, especially during peak and holiday surges, when volumes spike and bad actors hope to blend in with legitimate trade. … Read More
New U.S.–Latin America Trade Deals
The United States has announced a set of new framework trade agreements with four Latin American countries: Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala and El Salvador; that will reshape tariff patterns on key food and agricultural products. One of the headline moves: the U.S. plans to drop a 10% reciprocal tariff on Argentine beef and significantly expand the volume that can enter the country at low or zero … Read More
US–China Tariffs in Late 2025: New Tariff Realities for Shippers
After years of tit-for-tat tariff hikes, the United States and China have stepped back from the brink, but they have not gone back to “normal.” Recent gestures following talks between President Trump and President Xi in Busan, South Korea, have cooled the temperature, trimmed some tariffs, and paused a few escalation triggers. Yet for shippers, importers, and exporters, landed costs on China–US trade lanes remain … Read More