Insights

Analysis of Q1 2025 Asia-Originated Freight Rates and Q2 Strategies

April 11, 2025.
Logistics Publications

In the first quarter of 2025, ocean and air freight rates originating from Asia have experienced notable fluctuations across various cargo categories. Ocean Freight: General Cargo: The Shanghai Export Containerized Freight Index reported a steady increase, reaching 2,460.34 points by late December 2024. This trend is attributed to heightened demand preceding the Chinese...

Reciprocal Tariff Pauses & Increase for China

April 10, 2025.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications

CSMS # 64701128 announced reciprocal tariffs are paused for 90 days for all adjusted reciprocal rates with the exception of China. The rate will be lowered back to 10% for the next 90 days for all countries except China. China’s (including Hong Kong & Macau) reciprocal tariff is now 125%. Additionally, the EU has...

Reciprocal Tariff Implementation Paused

April 09, 2025.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications

President Trump has announced through social media that he is pausing reciprocal tariffs for 90 days for countries that have not yet retaliated. So, for countries that have not retaliated, the rate will be lowered back to 10% for the next 90 days. There has been no notification yet interpreting what constitutes retaliation. ...

Trade War with China Escalates (again)

April 09, 2025.
Trade Publications

Subsequent to the White House’s “Liberation Day” announcement of adjusted reciprocal tariffs targeting Chinese imports at 34%, China announced additional tariffs at parity with the USA’s trade adjustments – a corresponding 34%. On April 8, 2025, citing Section 4(b) of his Liberation Day executive order, Trump announced...

Reciprocal Tariffs Against the World and the End of the de minimus Exemption for Chinese Goods

April 03, 2025.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications

Donald Trump has announced multiple, sweeping additions to US import tariffs affecting all countries, as well as modifying existing additional tariffs and regulations in place. Starting April 5, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT, imports from all countries (except for Mexico and Canada) will be subject to an additional 10% tariff. Following that, on...

Reciprocal Tariffs to Begin on 4/3/2025

April 02, 2025.
Trade Publications

US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs against imports from foreign countries that tax imports from the USA at a higher rate than the US taxes imports of their goods. These reciprocal tariffs, labeled “Discounted Reciprocal Tariffs” by the Department of Commerce, will be based on...

Personal Property Tax Audits: Common Triggers and How to Avoid Them

April 02, 2025.
Tax Publications

Most businesses operate in states where personal property is taxed, requiring them to file a return to report assets and pay their tax bill. Occasionally, they may receive a notice of a personal property tax audit. Like any other tax audit, these can be time-consuming and frustrating. While audits are...

Restricted Exports on 82 New Entities

March 28, 2025.
Trade Publications

The Bureau of Industry and Security has added 82 new companies to the Entity List on March 25, 2025. Exports to the listed entities require export license, which is reviewed under presumption of denial. The additions target organizations mostly in China, but also in Pakistan, Iran, Taiwan, South Africa, United Arab Emirates. Newly...

2025 NMFC Changes… now what?

March 25, 2025.
Logistics Publications

If you ship freight Less-than-Truckload (LTL) in the US, chances are you already know the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is rolling out updates to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) in July 19, 2025; but just in case… The changes are aimed to standardizing the evaluation of all commodities,...

Trump Announces Additional Secondary Tariffs on Multiple Countries to Sanction Venezuela

March 24, 2025.
Trade Publications

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday, March 24, 2025 he will be installing additional tariffs on Venezuela. The details come from two statements in an announcement on his Truth Social account: a plan to put “a Secondary Tariff on the Country of Venezuela”, and a much broader, consequential...

Sustainability and Environmental Considerations in Logistics

March 20, 2025.
Logistics Publications

The logistics industry is undergoing a transformation driven by sustainability concerns and regulatory pressures. Companies are prioritizing eco-friendly practices to reduce carbon footprints, comply with environmental policies, and improve long-term cost efficiency. Here are some key areas of focus: Adoption of Green Technologies To minimize emissions, logistics companies are investing...

Ports: Keep the World Moving

March 17, 2025.
Logistics Publications

Think about the last thing you bought online. Maybe a phone, a pair of shoes, or even coffee beans from another country. Ever wondered how it got to you? That’s where ports come in. Ports are the heart of global trade. They’re not just places where...