📌 Current U.S. Tariff Status (as of August 22, 2025)

• Expanded Steel and Aluminum Tariffs:

  Effective August 18, the U.S. added 407 HTS codes of derivative products under Section 232. Imports face a 50% duty on the steel or aluminum content (25% for U.K.), while non-metal content remains subject to reciprocal tariffs. Importers must declare whether products contain steel or aluminum, with supporting supplier data on weight, customs value, and country of cast/smelt.

• India Blanket Tariff Increase:

  Starting August 27, Indian-origin goods will face an additional 25% blanket duty on top of the existing 25% reciprocal tariff, raising the total to 50% depending on shipment timing.

• De Minimis Exemption Ending:

  On August 29, the $800 de minimis threshold will expire for all countries. Low-value shipments will become subject to normal duties based on origin.

• U.S.–China Tariff Truce:

  The temporary tariff truce, renewed by executive order on August 11, remains in place through November 10, 2025, maintaining 30% duties on Chinese imports and 10% on U.S. exports to China.

• Potential Semiconductor & Pharma Duties:

  Earlier in August, the administration announced potential tariffs of up to 100% on semiconductors and new levies on pharmaceuticals. No implementation date has been set.

• Reciprocal Tariffs Update:

  Modified reciprocal tariffs took effect August 7. Countries not named in the July 31 order are subject to a 10% baseline tariff, except China and Canada.

• Canada “Fentanyl” Tariff Increase:

  As of August 1, tariffs on certain Canadian goods rose from 25% to 35% under IEEPA. USMCA-compliant goods remain exempt.

Source: whitehouse.gov, politico.com, whitehouse.gov

Market Conditions

TPEB (Trans-Pacific Eastbound)

• Market demand through August remains muted, with Southeast Asian loadings surpassing Chinese origins. The extension of the U.S.–China tariff truce has stabilized September outlooks, though rates from Shanghai to the U.S. have trended lower since June. Peak Season Surcharges were withdrawn for August, but carriers have announced a General Rate Increase effective September 1.

FEWB (Far East Westbound)

• Softening demand continues to weigh on the market. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index fell to $1,820 per TEU in week 34, down 12% from late July. In response, carriers cut Freight All Kinds rates by 10–15% to stimulate bookings. Despite steady weekly deployment above 300,000 TEUs, rate pressure is expected to persist heading into Golden Week.

TAWB (Trans-Atlantic Westbound)

• Base rates from Northern Europe remain steady. Peak Season Surcharges for North Europe and West Mediterranean services have been pushed to late Q3, while General Rate Increases are scheduled for East Mediterranean lanes in early September.

Operational Updates

TPEB:

• Equipment supply has improved since late July, though shortages remain for some carriers. No surcharges have been tied to Section 301 Chinese-built vessel rules at this time.

FEWB:

• Congestion is re-emerging at destination ports as peak-season cargo arrives. Utilization levels are reported at 75–85% in Rotterdam, 90–95% in Southampton, and 75–80% in Hamburg, leading to slower inland movements and longer berthing times.

TAWB:

• Northern European ports are facing continued congestion, with Antwerp yard utilization exceeding 90% and dwell times at about seven days. Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven are experiencing three to five-day vessel delays, while Southern Mediterranean ports such as Piraeus, Genoa, and Valencia report congestion with delays of three to six days. Equipment shortages remain across Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, southern and eastern Germany, and Portugal.

Capacity Management

TPEB:

• Current capacity levels are running at 70–80% of normal, though oversupply conditions mean shippers continue to find ample space for bookings.

FEWB:

• Three Ocean Alliance and two Premier Alliance blank sailings are scheduled for late August, with an additional three blanks announced for September. Despite these adjustments, weekly deployment remains strong, ensuring consistent availability.

TAWB:

• Blank sailings are holding steady at 5–6%. Several service rotations are being adjusted to bypass heavily congested ports, helping carriers mitigate the impact of yard and berth delays.

Sources: xeneta.com, maersk.com, yangming.com, evergreen-line.com, supplychaindive.com

Asia–Latin America Freight & Port Update

Service Disruptions

• On August 19, a major carrier announced schedule changes on the Asia–Mexico Express (TPM) service. The Iquique Express will omit calls to Panama City and Lázaro Cárdenas on select voyages. Shippers using these ports should expect adjustments in routing and potential transit delays.
  (Source: hapag–lloyd.com)

Port Congestion

• Cartagena, Colombia: Transshipment volumes remain elevated, and while conditions are gradually improving, delays continue at this hub.

• Caldera, Costa Rica: The port continues to face congestion, with the 7-day average vessel waiting time around 1 day. Infrastructure limitations mean the port struggles to handle rising volumes, resulting in fluctuating disruptions.
  (Source: mykn.kuehne-nagel.com)

U.S. Sanctions Target Shipper and Asian Terminal Operators Over Iranian Oil

U.S. authorities announced sanctions on a Greece‑based shipping operator and two Asia‑based port‑terminal firms, alleging they helped move Iranian crude. The measures, issued by the Treasury and State Departments, cite deliveries tied to sanctioned vessels and storage sites receiving Iranian oil. The actions expand earlier enforcement aimed at limiting Iran’s petroleum exports. A Chinese government spokesperson criticized the move, saying normal cooperation between countries is lawful.