News & Insights

Two landmark trade agreements with the US and India promise to reshape supply chain opportunities for UK importers and exporters. Both deals offer a mix of immediate tariff relief and long-term potential to diversify sourcing and boost exports. The newly signed UK-US agreement has reduced US t... Read more

Fashion brands and retailers around the world have welcomed a temporary easing of tensions between the US and China, but remain wary of the wider uncertainty still gripping global supply chains. A 90-day agreement announced on Monday May 12 will, from May 14, reduce US tariffs on Chinese goods... Read more

Airfreight markets posted a record performance in March, with particularly strong activity on Asia, US, Europe and UK trade lanes. The surge, driven by shippers front-loading cargo ahead of anticipated US tariffs, has provided a benchmark for what could follow in the months ahead as recent tariff... Read more

A dramatic shift in the Red Sea shipping crisis may be underway following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that Houthi militants have agreed to halt their campaign against commercial vessels. His declaration has sparked hopes of restored freedom of navigation through one of the world... Read more

Global sea freight is navigating a complex landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, fluctuating demand, and strategic capacity adjustments and while a temporary US-China tariff truce offers a glimmer of hope, challenges persist across major trade lanes. In response to weakening demand, parti... Read more

The fragile balance of South Asia’s supply chain network has been thrown into disarray after India and Pakistan imposed tit-for-tat bans on each other’s cargo. The diplomatic standoff, triggered by recent violence in Kashmir and subsequent military exchanges, has sent shockwaves through oc... Read more

As demand falters on both sides of the transpacific, container and air freight flows are facing extreme volatility, with sharp drops in bookings and vessel space coinciding with sweeping tariff changes and regulatory disruptions. The number of blanked sailings has surged, with the share of Asi... Read more

For importers under pressure to manage margins amid rising tariffs, compliance missteps, even unintentional ones, can trigger severe penalties, criminal sanctions, and lasting reputational damage. Recent high-profile cases show that even the most established brands are not immune. At one major... Read more

New US port fees aimed at Chinese-owned and Chinese-built ships are set to begin in October 2025, challenging China's dominance in shipbuilding and shipping, while attempting to bolster the US maritime industry. Under the new structure, Chinese ship owners and operators face charges starting a... Read more

Ports across Northern Europe are grappling with rising congestion, causing widespread delays and operational disruption. A confluence of industrial action, infrastructure strain, inland transport bottlenecks and the rollout of new shipping alliances is overwhelming terminals, with no immediate re... Read more

The UK government has announced plans to review the longstanding de minimis tax exemption for low-value imports, in a move that has been welcomed by major British retailers. The rule currently allows goods valued at £135 or less to enter the UK without incurring customs duties; a system criti... Read more

Launched as a strategic counterweight to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is poised to reshape global trade flows between Europe, India, and beyond. Backed by a coalition of world powers including the US, EU, India, and key Middle Ea... Read more