Weekly Freight Report: October 9, 2026
CBP has started paying IEEPA refunds on finally liquidated entries, and a trade court class ruling opens a path for importers that never filed. Meanwhile tanker attacks have spread beyond Hormuz, Hurricane Isaias is bearing down on Mobile and New Orleans, and 12-month air contracts are losing ground to three-month deals. Here is what you need to know.
CBP Starts Paying IEEPA Refunds on Finally Liquidated Entries as a Court Certifies an Importer Class
CBP has begun paying IEEPA refunds on finally liquidated entries, with 477 CAPE declarations covering 425,517 entries accepted as of October 6, a phase projected at about $11.4 billion. Only importers with a valid importer number on file by July 30 are being paid now. The Court of International Trade certified a class on October 8 covering importers that have not yet filed. Confirm your importer number is on file with CBP, then check your entry status in CAPE.
Tanker Attacks Spread Beyond Hormuz as Iran Vows to Block Unauthorized Routes
At least 12 tankers were attacked between September 28 and October 5, and on October 7 the chemical tanker Acers was hit 51 nautical miles off Qatar, well west of the strait. Iran says it will block any route it has not authorized, and tanker traffic has dropped to its lowest level in more than two months. Brent rose 5.3% to $105.54 on October 8. Confirm routing with your carrier before booking Gulf cargo and budget for higher fuel surcharges.
Shippers Move Away From 12-Month Air Freight Contracts
Three-month deals made up 60% of new air freight contracts in Q3, up from 47% in Q2, and 12-month deals fell from 40% to 25% of the total, according to Xeneta. Global air cargo demand rose 6% year over year in September, and the Middle East conflict is keeping jet fuel costs high. If your air contracts renew this quarter, ask for a base rate with a market adjustment clause rather than a fixed annual price.
Hurricane Isaias Threatens Mobile and New Orleans Ports and Gulf Refining
Hurricane Isaias is forecast to make landfall on the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday, with Mobile and New Orleans in the impact zone. Offshore producers have shut in 62.9% of Gulf oil output, and six refineries sit in the storm’s path. Truck tender rejections in New Orleans and Mobile are already at 17% to 19%. If you have cargo moving through either port, plan for vessel and cargo delays and line up alternate capacity now.
Mexico’s Electronic Value Declaration Is Now Mandatory as CBP Weighs a Supplier Export Document Rule
Mexico’s electronic customs value declaration became mandatory October 1, and your invoices, contracts and payment records must support the value you declare. Separately, CBP issued an advance notice in September on a rule that could require importers to provide their overseas suppliers’ export documents. No date is set for the CBP rule, but both changes add paperwork to a busy Q4. Audit the documents behind your Mexico declared values now, and ask suppliers whether they can share export filings.
Imports Run 8.2% Above Last Year in September and 8.5% in October as Savannah Sets a Record
The NRF Global Port Tracker forecasts September imports at 2.28 million TEU, up 8.2% from a year ago, and October at 2.25 million TEU, up 8.5%. Savannah handled a record 504,015 TEU in September, with loaded imports up 5.5%, as typhoon delays at Asian ports pushed peak cargo later. Early ordering ahead of tariff changes and steady consumer demand stretched the peak season into Q4. Keep peak-season booking lead times and appointment windows in place through October.
Federal Order Allowing Dyed Red Diesel in Trucks Will Not Cut Fuel Costs Quickly
An October 5 federal order temporarily lets trucks run on tax-free dyed red diesel. Most truck stops do not stock it, Treasury has not issued guidance on whether the tax is waived or only deferred, and distributors are waiting for clarity before selling it to on-road customers. Diesel was about $6.28 a gallon on October 7, and Isaias puts nearly 500,000 barrels a day of Gulf refining capacity at risk. Keep budgeting for elevated fuel surcharges through Q4.
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