Your Insights in Global Freight and Customs

What should shippers expect next?

Spoiler: it’s time to talk to suppliers—and maybe your elected representatives, too.

Two weeks ago, the U.S. and China announced a 90-day tariff reduction, cutting duties on both sides and lifting market sentiment. But logistics professionals know: temporary relief isn’t long-term certainty. In this month’s blog, Coppersmith Global Logistics unpacks what this pause means for supply chains, what stays the same, and what you can do to stay ahead.

Transpacific Rates Trend & Market information

Space supply in China is getting extremely constrained with current volume surges resulting from the 90-day tariff suspension. Apparently all carriers are facing serious space shortage as they’ve cut a large percentage of their capacities by service suspension and blank sailing in previous two months. Most vessels are booked full through the end of month, and many of them have overbooking. Carriers are cutting shippers' space allocation and are even calling back previously allocated space.

Sea-Intelligence reported there is 180,000 TEUs - based on 25% of the cancelled bookings - to 540,000 TEUs – based on 55% of the cancelled bookings in China that have already been produced or stored in warehouses ready for shipping from China. This overwhelming volume has formed a huge ‘cargo pool’ that carriers may have to distribute and manage in next six weeks or even longer. It does not take into account that US importers will attempt to make front-loading and move as more containers as possible before August 14th, the end of 90-day tariff suspension for Chinese products.

As far as we can see, volume surges in China have averaged 50% week on week, and we have seen over 100% increase at some China main ports compared with last week. However, the real peak is still to come as it may take shippers a little time to resume sourcing and manufacturing in China. According to carriers, the volume forecast is pretty strong and is expected to peak in the 2nd half June and continue in July. It is very likely that we will see a substantial increase of both cargo volume and spot rates in the coming weeks.

Shared Stories

Cargo theft is on the rise. Coppersmith breaks down why cargo insurance matters—and how to stay protected.

Cargo theft and loss events are increasing, especially in the Los Angeles area. In our latest blog, Coppersmith Global Logistics walks through the risks, the insurance options available, and real-world examples of why coverage matters. From warehouse to ocean freight, protecting your cargo isn’t just about tracking—it’s about planning. The right policy can make all the difference, whether it’s theft, weather, or a general average claim.

Cargo insurance isn’t extra—it’s essential.

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.