Freight Market Update – August
Check out this month’s air cargo trends and insights presented by Judah Levine.
Webinar
In this month’s webinar, Judah Levine, Freightos’ Head of Research, is joined by Izzy Rosenzweig, Founder and CEO of Portless, to unpack the latest global freight and trade war developments – and what they mean for air cargo, e-commerce, and supply chains worldwide.
From tariff shake-ups and de minimis changes to shifting e-commerce flows and congested European ports, here’s what’s shaping global freight in August.
Highlights from This Month’s Update:
- Tariffs: Settling…But Still Shifting
A flurry of trade deals has brought more clarity, but plenty of uncertainty remains. Most reciprocal tariffs now sit in the 15–20% range, with exceptions like India at 25% and Switzerland at 39%.
- Muted Freight Impact – For Now
With months of front-loading behind us, neither ocean nor air saw the last-minute surge that accompanied earlier tariff deadlines. Any rebound hinges on China’s 30% extension, but the real 2024 peak likely already passed in June–July.
- Air Cargo: E-Commerce Model in Flux
B2C cross-border e-commerce – once turbocharged by de minimis – is adapting fast. Since the U.S. ended China’s de minimis eligibility in May, transpacific e-commerce volumes have fallen sharply, but American brands are holding steady. Capacity is shifting to other lanes like Asia–Europe, keeping spot rates stable despite volume changes.
- From Portless: The Future Supply Chain
Guest speaker Izzy Rosenstein reveals how the “direct supply chain” model is helping brands bypass months of inventory lead times, improve cash flow, and deliver faster – even in the post-de minimis world. Learn why agility, local tracking, and smart capacity use are redefining cross-border fulfillment.
