The Typhoon Is Gone. The Shipping Delay Isn’t.
China’s port backlog is tightening space, disrupting schedules, and showing why a shipping delay can tie up ports for weeks after the weather clears. A typhoon can pass through China’s coast in a matter of days. The disruption it leaves behind can travel through the ocean freight network for weeks. That’s the situation exporters and… Read more »
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Section 301 Exclusions Are Still Saving Importers Money. November 9 Changes the Math.
If your company imports Chinese goods that qualify for one of the 178 remaining Section 301 exclusions, nothing changed this morning. That is exactly why now is a good time to prepare. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has extended those exclusions through 11:59 p.m. EDT on November 9, 2026. They remain available today,… Read more »
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Tariffs on Art and Antiques: Chapter 97 Exemption Update
For importers, the latest Section 301 exemptions for HTS Chapter 97 tariffs on art and antiques brought welcome news. On July 23, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced new Section 301 tariffs affecting imports from 60 trading partners. At the same time, the agency confirmed that works of art, antiques,… Read more »
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Cargo Theft Is Getting Smarter: Why Fraud Is Replacing Force
For years, cargo theft typically involved breaking locks, stealing trailers, or taking freight by force. While those risks still exist, the methods used by cargo thieves have evolved. Today, many thefts begin behind a computer screen rather than at a warehouse gate. Criminals are increasingly using identity fraud, fictitious pickups, and double brokering schemes to… Read more »
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Section 301 Update: New Rates Now in Effect Across Key Markets
The Section 301 tariff has been expanded, including to China. It will be structured the same as Section 122 was. Exemptions remain in place for Section 232 (steel, aluminum, and copper), civil aircraft, pharmaceuticals, and certain printed matter. No changes there. Additionally, if an ocean vessel sailed prior to 12:00 AM on July 24th,… Read more »
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Section 301 Tariffs on Brazilian Goods: What Importers Need to Know
The Section 301 tariff is being implemented for goods of Brazilian origin. That said, it is the structure that is important. Not long after the Supreme Court ruled the IEEPA tariffs were unconstitutional on February 24th, 2026, there was lots of speculation about what was going to happen. For the last 147 days, Section 122… Read more »
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Seasonal Freight Surcharges Explained: Why Summer Freight Costs More
Summer marks the beginning of one of the busiest periods in global logistics. As import volumes increase and transportation networks become more constrained, many shippers begin noticing additional charges appearing on freight invoices. Seasonal freight surcharges increase, capacity premiums emerge, and carriers introduce seasonal adjustments designed to manage growing demand. For companies managing transportation budgets,… Read more »
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What the June 8 Section 232 Changes Actually Mean for Construction Equipment Importers
The recent Section 232 changes have generated plenty of headlines, but many construction equipment importers are still asking the same question: what do these changes actually mean for my business? The answer is both positive and complicated. For certain mobile industrial and construction equipment, the June 8, 2026 changes provide potential tariff relief. However, they… Read more »
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July 8 CPSC eFiling Deadline: What Every Importer Needs to Do Now
Beginning July 8, 2026, CPSC eFiling becomes mandatory for imported products regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). For many importers, this represents one of the most significant compliance changes in recent years. The new requirement is designed to improve product safety oversight while giving CPSC and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)… Read more »
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How to Build a Freight Budget That Can Actually Handle Volatility
For years, freight budgets often followed the same pattern: Look at last year’s rates. Estimate volume. Add a buffer. Hope the market stays stable. That approach no longer works consistently. Between fuel swings, port disruptions, labor uncertainty, shifting capacity, and changing global trade conditions, freight costs can move quickly—even in markets that appear relatively calm…. Read more »
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