Weekly Freight Report: September 25, 2026
Only 29% of container ships arrived on time in August, and the delays are headed for Europe and North America just as Golden Week closes Chinese factories. On the policy side, pharma tariffs reach every company on September 29, a new law allows tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian oil, and the US-China truce now runs to January 10. Here is what you need to know.
Only 29% of Container Ships Arrived on Time in August, and the Backlog Is Heading for Europe and North America
Global schedule reliability fell for a third straight month to 29%, according to Xeneta, and Far East to Europe dropped to 6% with an average delay of 8.2 days. Typhoons left 1.1 million TEU waiting at anchor off China, and those late departures will reach Europe and North America over the coming weeks. Choose services by port pair, not carrier name, and add a week of buffer to anything you need before mid-November.
Section 232 Pharma Tariffs Reach All Remaining Companies September 29
The 100% tariff on patented pharmaceuticals and their ingredients applies to every remaining company starting September 29. A new Commerce notice adds a 0% heading for products imported only for clinical trials or research, and opens a path to 0% for certain specialty drugs. If you import finished drugs or active ingredients, confirm your products’ status before Tuesday.
Transpacific Space Stays Tight Through October as Golden Week Blank Sailings Meet a Cargo Backlog
A backlog from recent delays and planned Golden Week blank sailings will keep transpacific space tight through October, even though fourth quarter is normally slow. Draft limits at the Panama Canal also restrict which ships can serve the East Coast. If your cargo needs to land before Thanksgiving, book it now.
New Sanctions Law Allows Tariffs of Up to 100% on Top Buyers of Russian Oil
The president signed H.R. 5334 on September 18. It allows tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian crude or gas, and China and India are the most exposed. No country has been named yet, so this is a risk to plan for, not a cost today. If you source from China or India, know which products would be affected.
CBP Opens a Voluntary Electronic Export Manifest Test for Truck Cargo on October 23
CBP’s new test has trucks file export manifest data electronically, 24 hours before departure and in full two hours before reaching the border. It is voluntary and limited to nine carriers for now, but the rail version becomes mandatory on October 26. If you export by truck to Mexico or Canada, expect earlier data deadlines ahead.
Treasury Says the US-China Truce Runs to January 10
Treasury Secretary Bessent says the truce set to expire November 10 now runs to January 10, 2027, though the White House has not confirmed it in writing. That keeps the Section 301 port fee investigation on hold and China’s retaliatory tariffs and rare earth controls paused. Move January 10 onto your planning calendar.
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