Expert guides, freight tips, and China import insights for global importers.
Sea FreightAsk any importer where their freight budget quietly leaks, and the answer is almost never the headline rate — it’s the volume math. Book a container too big and you pay to ship air. Book too small and your cargo rolls to the next sailing. Quote air freight without checking volumetric weight and the invoice [ ]
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Sea FreightHere’s an understatement for you: when it comes to customs, the last year has been overwhelming for SMB importers. Duties have spiked, trade deals have been negotiated and re-negotiated, and border enforcement has tightened. Costs swing from one week to the next, making planning next to impossible. In a recent industry webinar, Adam Lewis, president [ ]
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Sea FreightNavigating customs can be a daunting task, especially when faced with numerous regulations, compliances, and standards to follow. It’s easy to get lost in a maze of paperwork, fine-print documentation, and ever-changing international trade laws, whether you’re a new shipper or an experienced business. Understanding the exact customs regulations for your freight is non-negotiable for [ ]
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Sea FreightAs your business expands, so does the complexity of your shipping needs. Navigating the complexities of freight shipping can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can optimize your operations and stay ahead of the competition. Shipping strategies can help you overcome these challenges, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. With the rise of e-commerce [ ]
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Sea FreightUpdate – October 30 2025 On October 30, 2025, President Trump announced the US will reduce fentanyl-related tariffs on China from 20% to 10%, extend the reciprocal tariff pause for a year and postpone USTR port call fees, with China also postponing its port fees. These changes are reflected in this post. Tariff headlines move [ ]
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Sea FreightBetween new tariffs, Red Sea disruptions, and Panama Canal drought issues, international shipping costs have been rising due to one unpredictable event after another. But it’s still possible to save on freight costs – if you know where to look. In a recent industry discussion, Amit Chen, CEO of freight forwarder Unicargo, shared practical tips [ ]
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Sea FreightEver wonder how that smartphone in your hand made its way across the ocean? Let’s dive into the world of ocean freight shipping companies – the unsung heroes of global trade. Ocean freight shipping is the backbone of international trade, facilitating the seamless flow of products from manufacturers to consumers worldwide. From the clothes on [ ]
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Sea FreightFlexport Ocean Timeliness Indicator Back to Blog June 15, 2026 Flexport Ocean Timeliness Indicator Ocean Freight, Trade Lane Data Transit time remained flat at 34 days from China to the U.S. West Coast; increased from 50 days to 53 days from China to the U.S. East Coast; and increased from 52 days to 53 days [ ]
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Sea FreightGlobal supply chains have entered an era of structural volatility (WEF 2026). Here’s the 5-strategy survival playbook: route diversification, China-Europe rail, inventory buffers, indexed contracts, and supplier diversification for importing from China.
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Sea FreightHouthis declared a “complete ban” on Israeli ships in the Red Sea (June 8, 2026), BP paused transits, and Suez avoidance enters its third year. What the Red Sea crisis means for your Asia-Europe freight costs and transit times.
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Sea FreightComplete 2026 guide to US tariffs on Chinese imports: Section 301 (up to 25%), new Section 122 (10%), Supreme Court IEEPA ruling impact, Section 301 exclusions, and how to calculate your actual landed cost with the full duty stack.
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Sea FreightThe US-Israel strikes on Iran and subsequent Strait of Hormuz crisis have added $5.5B in fuel costs, trapped 800+ vessels, and forced a permanent rerouting of global shipping. Here’s what it means for your freight costs, transit times, and supply chain strategy.
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Sea FreightJune 2026 freight market reality check: SCFI up 70% from Feb, early peak season compressing the booking window, carriers wielding blank sailings and PSS surcharges. Here’s your 5-step Q3 playbook to protect margins and secure container space before rates climb higher.
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Sea FreightThe 10 most searched questions about shipping from China in 2026 — answered with real data. Container costs, reliable forwarders, DDP vs FOB, Section 301 tariffs, FCL vs LCL, hidden fees, and more.
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Sea FreightFCL sea freight from Ningbo to Los Angeles in 2026: real transit times by carrier, current FCL vs LCL pricing, peak-season surcharges, and how to avoid the 3 most common delays at the Ports of LA/Long Beach.
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Sea FreightShip DDP from Shenzhen direct to Amazon FBA warehouse in 2026: real costs, transit times, required docs, and how to avoid the 5 most common customs mistakes that delay FBA restocks.
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Sea FreightWhat Does DDP Mean? DDP stands for Delivered Duty Paid. It is one of the eleven Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) defined by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Under DDP, the seller — or their freight forwarder — bears maximum responsibility: they handle export customs in the origin country, international shipping, import customs clearance, duty [ ]
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Sea FreightWhy Import from China? China remains the world s largest exporter, manufacturing everything from consumer electronics to industrial machinery. For US businesses, importing from China offers significant cost advantages, unparalleled product variety, and a mature supply chain ecosystem. However, the process involves customs regulations, shipping logistics, and quality control steps that can be overwhelming for first-time [ ]
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Sea FreightNew Customs Enforcement Executive Order: Key Changes for Importers Back to Blog June 3, 2026 New Customs Enforcement Executive Order: Key Changes for Importers Tariffs and Trade On June 3, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order, Strengthening Customs Enforcement, which directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to overhaul how importers of record (IORs) [ ]
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Sea FreightFlexport Named to the 2026 TIME100 List of Most Influential Companies Back to Blog April 30, 2026 Flexport Named to the 2026 TIME100 List of Most Influential Companies Flexport recognized as a ‘Leader’ for AI technology, helping 13,000+ companies navigate the most complex trade environment in decades SAN FRANCISCO — April 30, 2026 — Flexport, [ ]
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