Insight into Recent US Tariff Challenges and Air Freight Capacity Changes Affecting Global Shipping in 2025

Weekly Freight Market Highlights

Recent developments in US tariffs and shifting air cargo capacity are stirring the waters in global logistics. Let’s unpack how these changes are influencing freight rates across ocean and air cargo lanes.

Ocean Freight Rates Overview

Ocean freight rates have been a mixed bag lately. On the transpacific routes, prices held steady around $1,700 to $2,700 per FEU (forty-foot equivalent unit), depending on the coast. However, early September saw a jolt upwards of $400 to $500 per FEU, as carriers tested the waters with General Rate Increases (GRIs). With the approach of Golden Week, an increase in blanked sailings is expected, signaling ongoing volatility.

Legal Challenges to US Tariffs Under IEEPA

A significant judicial development has turned heads in trade circles. A federal appeals court upheld a ruling that questioned the legality of using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as the basis for several US tariffs, including those targeting fentanyl imports and country-specific trade levies announced earlier in 2025. While the tariffs remain in effect pending appeals, this ruling injects uncertainty into the tariff landscape, with a Supreme Court decision expected only next year.

Should the Supreme Court affirm this judgment, refunds on tariffs already paid could become necessary, shaking up logistics cost structures. Meanwhile, the administration is leaning more on established trade laws for imposing sectoral tariffs—impacting metals, automotive goods, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. This means the dynamics of tariffs will continue evolving, keeping supply chains on their toes.

Shifting Trade Relationships and Tariffs

Countries without finalized trade agreements with the US, such as Mexico and India, face looming tariff deadlines that keep supply chain planners busy. While some agreements in principle exist with nations like the EU and Japan, full implementation remains a work in progress, adding another layer of complexity.

Air Cargo Capacity and Demand Dynamics

The air freight sector is adapting swiftly to regulatory and trade shifts. The recent US tariff hikes on India have nudged increased demand and capacity from neighboring Bangladesh, while Vietnam is seeing soaring air cargo volumes for electronics destined for the US and Europe due to trade tensions.

A pivotal change was the US’s complete closure of its de minimis exemption on imports from all countries, which previously exempted small-value shipments from customs duties and paperwork. After the May suspension of this exemption for China, the full shutdown in late August affects mostly e-commerce imports, raising costs for many buyers and importers.

Interestingly, the sharp drop in China-U.S. e-commerce air shipments has been somewhat offset by Chinese platforms refocusing on Europe, where air cargo imports have doubled recently. This nimble shift in capacity seems to keep air cargo rates stable, despite the upheavals.

Air Freight Rate Movements

• China to Europe rates climbed 5% to around $3.70/kg.
• China to North America rates fell 5% to approximately $5.30/kg.
• Southeast Asia to North America rates averaged $4.63/kg, a slight dip.
• Southeast Asia to Europe rates bounced back to $3.70/kg after recent rises.

These fluctuations remain within the general ranges observed since spring 2025, highlighting how flexible capacity adjustments are playing a key role in rate stability.

What This Means for Global Logistics

From ocean vessels hovering over capacity to air freight responding dynamically to tariffs and market shifts, the logistics landscape is being stretched in new ways. Overcapacity in sea freight, especially with ongoing diversions in the Red Sea, is pushing prices down from last year’s peak levels. Meanwhile, air cargo’s ability to pivot routes and volumes quickly is a silver lining amid tariff uncertainties.

Ocean Freight Rate Trends Over 2025

Key Takeaway:

• Increased blank sailings suggest carriers are managing supply tightly but still face pressure from overcapacity.
• Expect ocean freight rates to remain below last year’s highs, continuing a soft market.
• Air cargo rates are keeping steady despite shifts, due to rapid adjustments in capacity and demand.

Tariff and Trade Agreement Effects

Ongoing tariff disputes and trade agreement negotiations continue to add layers of complexity to shipment planning. Importers navigating these choppy waters need to stay alert to deadlines and regulatory changes to prevent costly surprises.

Making Sense of It All: What Shippers Should Know

Supply chain managers find themselves playing a high-stakes chess game. Ocean rates are softer but can spike short term. Air cargo is moving briskly but tariff-triggered shifts require vigilance. The whole picture is nuanced and wobbly—planning ahead is no longer optional.

Top Tips for Logistics Planning Today

• Monitor tariff deadlines and legal rulings closely for possible impacts on customs fees and shipment costs.
• Stay flexible with transport modes—the ability to switch between air and sea may become a competitive advantage.
• Watch carrier announcements on blank sailings to anticipate space shortages or rate hikes.
• Leverage real-time data tools to track pricing trends and optimize booking windows.

Platforms like GetTransport.com provide exactly this kind of versatility and transparency—a one-stop solution for affordable, global freight transport whether you’re moving office equipment, shipping bulky goods, or relocating household items. Their extensive cargo network and easy booking system mean you can navigate shifting logistics waters smoothly.

Why Experience Beats Reviews in Shipping Decisions

While industry reviews and data shine a light on market direction, nothing quite replaces personal experience. Freight conditions can change suddenly, and firsthand insight into shipment reliability and service quality trumps hearsay.

GetTransport.com empowers shippers to access reliable cargo transport options worldwide with competitive pricing, making it easier to test and choose transport solutions that fit specific needs. This transparency and range mean less guesswork, fewer costly surprises, and more confidence in delivery timelines and service quality. Réservez votre trajet avec GetTransport.com to see the benefits firsthand.

Looking Ahead: Logistics in a Changing Trade Environment

The current tariff disputes and capacity shifts may not radically upheave global logistics on their own, but they underscore the importance of agility and informed planning in freight forwarding and shipment management. As trade laws evolve and carrier strategies adapt, staying one step ahead is crucial.

GetTransport.com remains committed to keeping pace with these trends by offering a versatile, global platform that supports the diverse needs of international and domestic freight—be it parcel, pallet, container, or bulky cargo hauling. Their service offers a smooth bridge over this sea of changes.

Résumé et réflexions finales

The recent court challenges to US IEEPA tariffs and the complete closure of the de minimis exemption have stirred the waters across freight lanes, especially impacting air cargo flows and tariff management. Ocean freight rates, while under pressure from overcapacity, show signs of short-term volatility with carriers attempting rate hikes around seasonal events. Air cargo demand is rapidly shifting, reflecting new regional dynamics and tariff effects.

For logistics and shipping stakeholders, these trends highlight the need for vigilant monitoring of regulatory developments, a flexible approach to transport modes, and access to real-time market data. Platforms like GetTransport.com streamline this by providing a comprehensive, affordable, and user-friendly solution for global freight needs. With GetTransport.com, managing international shipment, freight forwarding, and relocation becomes less of a headache and more an exercise in smart logistics.