U.S.-China Tariff Pause Drives Shipping Surge
Starting May 2025, the U.S. and China agreed to a 90-day suspension of tariffs, easing trade tensions and causing a sudden spike in shipping demand. This policy shift has caught many businesses off guard — ocean and air freight between China and the U.S. are now experiencing record-high demand and soaring prices.
Ocean Freight Rates Are Soaring — Space Is Tight
Joyce Tai, Global COO at Freightos, shares that ocean freight prices could nearly triple, while air cargo inquiries have jumped over 10 times. Big players like Wan Hai and Hapag-Lloyd are already fully booked and focusing on their long-term customers because space is so limited.
Shipments from China to the U.S. are exploding — Vizion reports bookings up 277% in just one week. The market clearly can't keep up.
Port Congestion and Supply Chain Headaches Are Looming
All this extra demand is putting serious pressure on ports and factories, causing bottlenecks and scheduling headaches. If shipping lines don’t add more sailings and adjust capacity fast, we risk seeing port delays and supply chain disruptions — the dreaded “black swan” events.
With limited containers, ships, and port resources, delays and higher costs could become the new normal unless everyone plans carefully.
Shipping Peak Season Starts Early — Stockpiling Has Begun
Usually, the peak shipping rush happens in Q3, but this year it’s kicked off early, starting mid-May. Importers, brands, and retailers are racing to stock up before the 90-day tariff pause ends — making this peak season extra intense.
How Can We Stay Ahead?
Facing tight capacity and rising costs, here’s what you can do:
Book Early: Lock in your cargo space 2–3 weeks ahead to avoid missing out or delays.
Be Flexible: Mix ocean and air freight or try different transshipment hubs to spread your risk.
Partner Up: Keep close ties with your trusted carriers to get priority space and better prices.
Need a hand planning your China-U.S. shipments?
Our expert team is here with real-time updates and personalized strategies to help you navigate this challenging market. Reach out now — let’s get your cargo moving and win this peak season together!
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