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USMX Files Unfair Labor Charge, Strike Threat Looms Over US East and Gulf Coast Ports

With the deadline for a potential US East and Gulf Coast port strike looming, the US Maritime Alliance (USMX) has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), citing the union’s refusal to negotiate.

USMX hopes the NLRB will require the ILA to return to the bargaining table before the October 1 deadline.

While both sides remain entrenched in their positions on wages and automation, carriers and rail operators are laying out contingency plans, including inland cargo halts and surcharges.

Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM have announced surcharges ranging from $800 to $3,000 per container, while reefer containers are also at risk of damage due to monitoring issues. Shippers are advised to act swiftly, with major disruptions likely if a strike occurs.

A New Update

The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced new actions aimed at controlling the influx of small packages entering the U.S. without paying taxes or duties, utilizing the “de minimis” exemption.

This exemption allows imported goods valued under $800 to bypass tariffs, but overseas e-commerce platforms, particularly those from China, have increasingly exploited it. Many of these small shipments include unsafe or illegal goods, such as counterfeit products or dangerous drugs like fentanyl, which pose serious risks to American consumers, businesses, and workers.

To address these concerns, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are enforcing new rules to enhance oversight and regulation of these shipments. The focus will be on increasing transparency by gathering more information on incoming goods, preventing abuse of the exemption, and blocking unsafe products from entering the U.S. market.

As a result, importers will now need to comply with stricter requirements and provide detailed documentation for low-value shipments.