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April 2025

   
   

Industry News

Cargo Vessel at Port

Trans-Pacific blank sailings set to rise after China bookings drop sharply

Eastbound trans-Pacific carriers are canceling more sailings as container bookings from China drop sharply due to newly imposed 145% U.S. tariffs. At least 12 voyages to the U.S. West Coast have already been blanked for May, surpassing April’s count. Some vessels are expected to depart China less than half-full, with shippers pulling or pausing cargo amid tariff uncertainty. While China-origin volumes decline—down as much as 60% for some forwarders—demand is rising from Southeast Asia as U.S. importers shift sourcing. Carriers are responding with short-term blank sailings and are now reevaluating their long-term China port calls. Read more

     
Port Djibouti

USTR port fee proposal would open a ‘second front’ in trade war

The recent proposal by the US Trade Representative (USTR) to charge over $1 million per US port call for Chinese-manufactured ocean vessels has sparked significant concern, with expected revisions after pushback during hearings. If implemented, this plan could lead to higher costs for importers, consolidation of port calls, and diversion of freight to nearby non-US ports like Vancouver and Halifax. Secondary US ports could be bypassed due to added fees, and the structural changes could disrupt the supply chain. While some solutions have been suggested, the overall uncertainty from ongoing tariff disputes could delay decision-making and exacerbate potential economic downturns, causing widespread disruption to global trade. Read more

     

Congress makes fresh attempt to target cargo theft in US

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 (CORCA) to address a surge in cargo theft from trucks and trains. The bill would create a federal coordination center under the Department of Homeland Security, strengthen laws by treating organized cargo theft as a felony under interstate commerce and RICO statutes, and improve collaboration among law enforcement, carriers, and shippers. Backed by major transportation associations, the legislation responds to increasingly sophisticated theft tactics and seeks to close enforcement gaps that have allowed organized crime rings—often operating with insider knowledge and international ties—to evade serious prosecution. Read more

     
   

Customs Brokerage News

Containers at Port with Cranes in the back

CBP Updates Guidance for Reciprocal Tariffs on China Goods 

On April 8, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Amendment to Reciprocal Tariffs and Updated Duties as Applied to Low-Value Imports from The People’s Republic of China.” The order updates the reciprocal duty rate on most Chinese-origin goods to 84%, replacing the previous rate of 34%. This applies to Chinese goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse on or after 12:01 a.m. ET, April 9, except for items listed in CSMS #64680374.


Later the same day, Trump announced a 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariffs. During this pause, a general tariff rate of 10% is in effect, except for specific Chinese imports which are subject to an effective rate of 125%.


On April 14, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued CSMS #64724565, outlining product exclusions from the reciprocal tariff increase. The following HTS codes are exempt:

  • 8471
  • 8473.30
  • 8486
  • 8517.13.00
  • 8517.62.00
  • 8523.51.00
  • 8524
  • 8528.52.00
  • 8541.10.00
  • 8541.21.00
  • 8541.29.00
  • 8541.30.00
  • 8541.49.10
  • 8541.49.70
  • 8541.49.80
  • 8541.49.95
  • 8541.51.00
  • 8541.59.00
  • 8541.90.00
  • 8542
 
     
   

Eastern News

Eastern Racing Set for Season Finale at Concours Cup in Miami

Eastern Racing is set to compete in the thrilling final round of the Concours Cup Season 2 this Saturday, April 19th, at The Concours Club in Miami, FL. Behind the wheel of the team's BMW M2 CS will be none other than Eric Wagner, the CEO and President of Eastern Shipping Worldwide, bringing both leadership and racing passion to the track. With qualifying scheduled from 1:40 to 2:45 PM CST and the main race kicking off at 4:05 PM CST, fans can expect an exciting showdown to close out the season.


Watch the action live here: Livestream Link

     
   
   
   

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