A1 Worldwide Logistics - International Shipping Company

  As August rolls around, it is essential to understand what to expect when shipping during the peak season. The peak season is a time when the demand to ship cargo surges. In the US, it usually starts around mid-August and goes to the end of Autumn. Scenarios like the back-to-school rush and stocking up for the holidays happen during this time. In particular, ocean freight in the Trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe trade lanes has a significantly high traffic volume. Due to the high demand for shipping, shippers can face various challenges during peak season. This article will explain what happens during this period and how to protect your shipment. What Can You Expect When Shipping During The Peak Season? Due to the high demand for shipping, shippers can face various disruptions during the peak season, including higher shipping costs. As the freight rates rise as the demand to ship cargo internationally rises, so can the freight rates. Carriers also implement other fees like PSSs (Peak...

  On Monday, July 7, President Trump announced new tariffs for imports into the US after signing an executive order. In identical letters sent to various countries, Trump revealed that reciprocal tariffs would have varying amounts from the original numbers.  The executive order will also extend the 90-day extension deadline from July 9 to August 1 . Some countries, like Japan and Malaysia, will see an increase in rates from 24% to 25%. Other countries will see a decrease, like Laos, from 48% to 40%, and others, like Thailand, will remain the same. This article will explain the goal behind the tariff changes and what it could mean for US imports. Why Trump Announced New Tariffs For Imports President Trump’s goal in extending the tariff deadline is to give trading partners time to negotiate deals. The new rates are to maintain negotiating leverage by pressuring importing countries to finalize talks. Multiple reasons have been given for issuing the reciprocal tariffs, including a...

  Importers and retailers predict that US imports could soon surge over the next few weeks. Following a 90-day break in the tariff war between the US and China, retailers expect to resume importing. Data from the NRF’s (National Retail Federation) Global Port Tracker recently showed that retailers have been frontloading imports. Along with the temporary reduction on Chinese goods, other scenarios, such as a hold on  reciprocal  tariffs, have also contributed. Due to the high volume of exports from China, a surge could substantially impact the international shipping industry. This article will explain the reason behind the predicted surge, which could impact importing cargo to the US. Why Are Retailers Forecasting That US Imports Could Surge Soon? The potential surge in US imports comes from a  slashing of tariffs that would have reached over 100% . In particular, the US lowered taxes on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%, and China reduced tariffs on US imports from 12...

  As tensions continue in the Israel-Iran conflict, there have been talks that Iran may close the Strait of Hormuz.  The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway for the shipping of oil and gas . Nearly 20% of the world’s liquefied Natural gas and a quarter of the world’s oil pass through yearly. Shippers from numerous countries use it as a shortcut for oil importing and exporting. On June 22, the Iranian Parliament voted to close the Strait due to US airstrikes. Despite the vote, the Strait remains open, with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council to make the final decision. As the waterway is a central trade lane in international shipping, its closure could have significant global consequences. Why Iran May Close The Strait of Hormuz, And What Can This Mean For Shipping? Israel and Iran have been in tension and have been in conflict for decades following the 1979 Iranian revolution. The conflict escalated into a war on June 13 when Israel launched a surprise attack on Iranian nu...

  As tariffs continue to impact the international shipping industry, it is essential to know how to import during tariff hikes. Over the last few months, President Trump has imposed, announced, and paused numerous tariffs for imports into the U.S. Some goods affected include automobiles, aluminum, and oil, along with country-specific tariffs for Canada, Mexico, and China. Trump also imposed a 10% baseline tariff on April 2 for all countries importing goods to the U.S. Due to the volume of goods that come into the U.S., the tariffs have already impacted countless supply chains. This article will explain what to expect and give ideal steps to prepare when importing during tariff hikes. Why Is It Important To Know How To Import During Tariff Hikes? Knowing how to import during higher tariffs is crucial because of the consequences of not being prepared. The most significant impact of tariff hikes is that overall costs could skyrocket for different parts of a supply chain. In addition t...