Weekly Freight Report: November 13, 2026
The US and China extended their trade truce by two months, keeping reduced tariffs on Chinese imports and 178 Section 301 exclusions in place until January 10, 2027. China-linked ship fees stay paused through January 9, President Trump threatened to double tariffs on Mexican imports, CBP set new rules for foreign importers of record, and diesel is $6.23 a gallon. Here is what you need to know.
US and China Extend Their Trade Truce to January 10, 2027, Keeping Reduced Tariffs and 178 Section 301 Exclusions in Place
The US and China extended their trade truce by two months, and the US is keeping reduced tariffs on Chinese imports in place until January 10, 2027. USTR also extended all 178 current Section 301 tariff exclusions for Chinese goods to January 10. China is keeping its 24% tariff on US goods suspended for the same two months. Confirm with your broker which of your products are covered, and plan China orders around January 10.
Federal Register Notice Keeps China Ship Fees Paused Through January 9, 2027, With Crane and Equipment Duties Also on Hold
A Federal Register notice published November 10 keeps Section 301 port fees on Chinese-owned, Chinese-operated, and Chinese-built vessels suspended through 11:59 p.m. Eastern on January 9, 2027. The fees could total millions of dollars per vessel visit, and a 50,000-net-ton ship would owe $2.5 million. Added duties on Chinese ship-to-shore cranes and other cargo-handling equipment stay paused too. Ask your carriers now how they’d handle the fees if the pause ends in January.
President Trump Threatens to Double Tariffs on Mexican Imports, With No Rate or Date Set
In a November 12 Truth Social post, President Trump said tariffs on Mexico would be doubled immediately unless Mexico stops migrant caravans heading toward the US border. He didn’t say which tariffs, whether current exemptions would stay, or when new duties could take effect. Today most Mexican goods that don’t qualify for USMCA pay 25%, and steel and aluminum pay 50%. Check that your Mexico imports have current USMCA documentation, and estimate what a higher rate could cost you.
CBP Will Require Foreign Importers of Record or Their Brokers to Be CTPAT-Validated Starting January 5, 2027
CBP issued an interim final rule on November 5 that holds foreign importers of record to the same standards as US-based importers. Foreign importers of record, or their customs brokers, must be CTPAT-validated, and licensed brokers must verify that clients qualify before filing entries for them. The rule takes effect January 5, 2027, and public comments are due the same day. If your goods enter under a foreign importer of record, confirm CTPAT status with that importer and your broker now.
Three Bills in Congress Could Limit Presidential Tariff Power, and Two Have Bipartisan Backing
Trade lawyers are pointing to three bills that could give Congress a larger role in setting tariffs next year: S. 5390, S. 1272, and H.R. 7557. One would repeal Section 338, one would end new tariffs after 60 days unless Congress authorizes them, and one would require Congress to approve new tariffs on NATO allies. It isn’t known whether any will pass. Track which of your products carry Section 232, 301, or 338 duties, and document those costs for 2027 sourcing plans.
Truck Stop Diesel Is $6.23 a Gallon, Up 65% From a Year Ago, and Refining Is the Bottleneck
Truck stop diesel was $6.23 a gallon on November 9, up 65% from $3.78 a year earlier, according to SONAR. The refining margin is now the largest part of that price at $2.51 a gallon, driven by refinery damage in the Middle East and Russia, longer tanker routes, and thin US inventories. US distillate stocks were 13% below the five-year average in late September. Plan for fuel surcharges to stay high, and check which index and reset date your surcharge uses.
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