Your Insights in Global Freight and Customs

The Importance of Incoterms

“It is important for importers to be familiar with Incoterms to tailor their needs to their business." -Victoria Lane, Chief Compliance Officer

Incoterms define who pays, assumes risks, and owns responsibility in global shipping. However, nearly half of SMB importers don’t fully understand the term on their invoices. In our latest blog, Coppersmith Global Logistics breaks down the most-used Incoterms, why they matter, and how choosing the right one can protect your bottom line. If you haven’t reviewed your terms recently, now’s the time. It’s not just paperwork—it’s peace of mind.

Trade policy has always made waves—but lately, it’s making tsunamis.

New tariffs are shaking up global logistics again. With China facing a 145% rate, a 90-day moratorium for others, and electronics and pharmaceuticals now under review, importers and exporters need clarity fast. At Coppersmith, we’re helping clients navigate the noise—offering straightforward guidance, tactical planning, and real-world strategies to protect your freight. Read our latest blog to see how the landscape is shifting and what steps you can take to stay ahead.

Strategy matters more than certainty

Shared Stories

Transpacific Rates Trend & Market information

New US tariffs have threaten to upend trade flows, a baseline 10% tariff is now applied to all US imports regardless of origin. However, cumulative tariffs of 145% have been applied to all US imports from China, Hong Kong, and Macau, effective April 10, 2025.

Hundreds of thousands of export containers were being canceled even though some of them had been delivered into the China origin terminals.

For other affected countries, Trump has announced a 90-day pause on the tariffs, which means tariffs on imports from most countries are now at a baseline 10%. Asian exporters that hold/cancel bookings due to US import tariffs were quick to backtrack. Suppliers are catching the 90-day window to rush bookings before the new deadline. We expect the booking volume from Southeast Asia origins will pick up quickly after the Easter holidays, and space may get tight. We strongly encourage bookings to be made as early as possible to protect space in a schedule that features a large number of blank sailings.

CBP Issues De Minimis CSMS

Customs and Border Protection communicates information to the trade through the Cargo Systems Message Service, or CSMS. It has become the go-to place to monitor how Executive Orders and other actions taken by President Trump will be operationally managed by CBP and the relevant and involved agencies.

CSMS 64792505 provides guidance on how the agency will process de minimis shipments and the messages that will be issued after 12:01 AM EDT on May 2, 2025. It is free to sign up to receive these messages from CBP. They are the same ones that our teams receive and monitor. Click on the link to the CSMS message and in the upper right-hand corner, simply provide your email address to subscribe and begin receiving them.