Search the Logistics & Supply Chain desk archive.
Customs brokers are bracing for tariff classification changes after new guidance on component origin and de minimis treatment. Importers are being pushed to re-audit their product data before the next compliance deadline. For trade professionals, the practical effect is added verification work and less room for stale or incomplete origin records.
Customs officers at the Texas border stopped a produce truck after a canine alert and found more than 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the shipment, with an estimated value approaching $1 million. The seizure highlights how legitimate freight lanes and perishable cargo can be exploited for drug smuggling, and it underscores the importance of carrier vetting, cargo screening, and chain-of-custody controls for shippers and logistics providers moving cross-border loads.
Container imports into North America rose 9% in September, part of a broader surge in global container volumes during the month. The gain came even as supply chain disruptions and higher freight rates added mounting cost pressure for shippers. For logistics and sourcing professionals, the mix of stronger volumes and tightening pricing points to a more difficult capacity and budget planning environment in the near term.
The investment arm of Maersk's corporate parent is expanding its international ports portfolio through agreements in Asia and Europe, with the company eyeing deals covering more than 50 terminals. The push signals that the shipping group's controlling shareholder wants a larger position in container terminal capacity beyond the liner business itself. For freight and logistics professionals, the expansion could influence terminal ownership, capacity planning and competition at key gateways across two major trade regions.
Mexico strengthened its position as the United States' top trading partner in September, with total two-way trade reaching a record $96.3 billion. The figure widens Mexico's lead over other US trading partners. For supply chain and logistics professionals, the data reinforces how central Mexico has become to US sourcing and cross-border freight flows.
Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs and efforts to attract foreign direct investment fell short of their objectives, according to an assessment by the German Economic Institute. The policies coincided with economic growth, but also with a wider trade deficit and slower hiring. For professional readers, the takeaway is that tariff-driven and investment-incentive strategies can produce headline growth while worsening external balances and weakening labour-market momentum.
U.S. trade officials announced a new labor rights investigation into a Mexican packaging manufacturer and an agreement addressing labor violations at an ammunition factory. The post US targets alleged labor violations at 2 Mexican factories appeared first on FreightWaves.
Expeditors International reported an upward third quarter, with revenue rising 42% year over year to $4.1 billion at the asset-light customs broker and freight forwarder. The company said hyperscaler business helped drive the successful quarter. For logistics professionals, the results point to strong demand from large cloud and data-center customers as a meaningful contributor to forwarding and brokerage performance.
Mexican authorities recently destroyed over 52 tons of avocados after discovering the presence of destructive agricultural pests in shipments due for international export. The post Mexico destroys 52 tons of avocados after pest discovery raises export concerns appeared first on F
US manufacturing activity expanded for a tenth consecutive month, according to the latest Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers’ Index, but survey respondents grew more negative. They cited the Iran war as a heavy burden, along with price volatility and trade wars. The continued expansion therefore masks rising cost and sentiment risks that matter for procurement, pricing, and supply-chain planning.
The weekly brief
One email a week with the stories that moved this field, plus what to watch next.
Fields marked * are required.