en.Wedoany.com Reported - US retailers' early imports of peak-season goods from China are driving up both container shipping demand and freight rates. Reuters reported that in response to potential tariff hikes in the second half of the year, US retailers have advanced orders originally intended for Black Friday and Christmas by four to six weeks to ensure sufficient inventory.
Although US President Donald Trump's visit to China has maintained a trade truce between the two countries, the market still faces high uncertainty. The 10% universal tariff imposed by Washington in February expires on July 24, and the market expects it to be replaced by new tariffs.
"People expect tariffs to be raised again or revert to previous levels, so everyone is rushing to bring goods in before that happens," said Tony Meng, Senior Sales Manager at freight forwarding company XPD Global.
The early shipment behavior has altered the usual peak season pattern. Traditionally, orders peak between July and September, but shipping companies report that volumes in May and June exceeded expectations, driving up freight rates.
Data shows that US imports from China grew by 35% in May, following an 11% increase in April, while March saw a contraction. This trend may continue in June, though the impact of early stockpiling could weaken afterward.
Maersk told Reuters that due to "increased customer demand and early seasonal bookings," capacity on routes from China to the US has tightened since mid-May.
In terms of freight rates, Drewry's World Container Index shows that as of June 25, spot rates from Shanghai to New York reached $7,149 per FEU, up 6% week-on-week and 25% year-on-year. On the Shanghai to Los Angeles route, rates hit $5,750 per FEU, up 12% week-on-week and 54% year-on-year.
"Importers continue to front-load shipments ahead of potential tariff changes and higher fuel-related costs," the consultancy said.
Against the backdrop of rising freight rates, Maersk has raised its 2026 financial outlook. The shipping company increased its EBITDA forecast from the previous range of $4.5-7 billion to $8-10 billion, and its EBIT forecast from the previous range of -$1.5-1 billion to $2-4 billion. Additionally, the company raised its 2026 container market volume growth forecast from 2%-4% to 4%.
Shipping industry analyst Lars Jensen noted that the evolution of US tariff policies continues to trigger adjustments across markets. In this context, after the US government declared a fertilizer supply emergency, it temporarily suspended import tariffs on phosphate fertilizers from Morocco. Meanwhile, he emphasized that due to uncertainties in US-Iran negotiations, major shipping companies remain cautious about transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and operators have not yet resumed normal vessel dispatches to the Persian Gulf.
