Trade Shifts Ahead: July 2025 Global Logistics & Tariff Insights

Final Tariff Letters Are Out, and August 1st Is Around the Corner

As of July 9, 2025, the White House has confirmed reciprocal tariff rates for 22 countries. These final rates go into effect on August 1 unless new trade agreements are reached. The information comes from the Executive Order, the White House Fact Sheet dated July 7, and formal letters posted by President Trump throughout the week. While some countries saw lower rates than what was proposed in April, others stayed the same, and Brazil just saw a major jump.

Brazil’s new rate was posted late afternoon on July 9th, increasing from 10% to 50%. According to the letter, the change is tied to censorship and trade imbalance concerns. The 50% tariff applies to all goods from Brazil, even if they’re routed through another country. Vietnam is still not part of the Executive Order, but on July 2, Trump said on Truth Social that Vietnam could face a 20% tariff, or 40% for transshipped goods. As of now, no formal ruling or filing has been issued.

Until August 1, all 22 countries remain subject to the 10% tariff under HTSUS 9903.01.25. That was confirmed by U.S. Customs in CSMS #65573545. China, including Hong Kong and Macau, is on a separate timeline. Their tariff pause continues through August 12 under EO 14298, though Section 301 duties still apply.

We included a side-by-side chart in this newsletter that compares the proposed April 2 rates to the final August 1 rates. All numbers come directly from official government sources. If you have shipments on the water or contracts in motion, now is the time to recheck your strategy. Southern Star Navigation is here if you need help reviewing your exposure or finding alternatives. Click here to read the full details from CSMS.

CBP Rolls Out ACE Electronic Export Manifest: Finally, Some Good News for Exporters

If you’re tired of drowning in export paperwork, here’s something that’ll make your day. U.S. Customs and Border Protection just rolled out the ACE Electronic Export Manifest (EEM), and it’s about to make your life a whole lot easier. Gone are the days of paper-heavy export processes that seem designed to slow everything down. The new EEM system moves everything online, which means faster shipments, fewer surprises, and way less paperwork headaches. Here’s the best part: CBP can now communicate shipment exam requirements electronically, so carriers get updates instantly and can plan their loading and movement without guessing games.

This isn’t just a minor upgrade, it’s a complete game-changer for anyone shipping goods internationally. The system helps spot potential issues before they cause delays, giving you more control over your shipments and fewer last-minute surprises at the port. If you’re an exporter, this is the kind of modernization you’ve been waiting for. No more playing phone tag with CBP or wondering if your paperwork got lost in the shuffle. For more details, you can read more on the official CBP page: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/ace/technical/export-manifest

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd Bring Back Direct Calls to Gothenburg and Aarhus

Big news for shippers and businesses in Scandinavia; Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, as part of their Gemini cooperation, are bringing back direct port calls to Gothenburg in Sweden and Aarhus in Denmark on their AE5/NE4 Asia-Europe service. This is a notable change, since Maersk had previously dropped these direct calls when they streamlined their Gemini network. The main reason for this update is the ongoing congestion at major European ports, which has made it harder for containers to move smoothly. By adding Gothenburg and Aarhus back into the rotation, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd hope to better manage their shuttle services and keep goods moving, especially in areas facing more disruption risks.

At the same time, the latest weekly port update from HMM highlights just how tough things are at European ports right now. Ports like Hamburg, Rotterdam, London Gateway, Antwerp, Algeciras, Genoa, and Tangiers are all dealing with long waiting times for ships to get a berth. This congestion is causing delays and headaches for everyone in the supply chain. The decision to adjust the AE5/NE4 service is a direct response to these challenges, aiming to give customers more reliable options and keep cargo flowing, even when the big ports are backed up.

CBP Tightens Rules for Low-Value FDA-Regulated Imports: What You Need to Know

CBP has just released an important update (CSMS #65581188) for anyone importing products that fall under FDA regulations, even if those shipments are valued under $800 and qualify as “de minimis” under Section 321. The main change is that all FDA-regulated products, regardless of shipment size or value, now need to be submitted to the FDA for review. This immediately replaces previous rules that allowed certain low-value FDA-regulated shipments to clear customs without FDA notification. The FDA says this change is possible thanks to updated technology that allows them to review all shipments electronically, making it easier to keep unsafe or non-compliant products out of the country.

If you’re importing food, drugs, cosmetics, or any other products regulated by the FDA; even in small quantities, you now have to follow the same requirements as you would for larger shipments. Prior Notice requirements for food and feed shipments still apply, unless your shipment is specifically exempt under 21 CFR 1.277(b). This is a significant shift from previous guidance, and it is meant to help CBP and FDA better protect health and safety at the border. Make sure to share this update with your teams and partners so everyone is prepared for the new process. Click here to read more.

Copper and Pills in the Crosshairs: New Tariff Talk Heating Up

Big shifts may be coming in U.S. trade policy. President Trump recently announced plans to slap a 50% tariff on imported copper and is also considering a steep 200% tariff on pharmaceuticals from overseas. His goal? To push companies to bring manufacturing back to U.S. soil. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed that message, saying the copper tariff could take effect as soon as August 1st. This comes right after the administration doubled tariffs on imported steel and aluminum in June, now sitting at 50% for most countries.

Why does this matter? The U.S. imported about $17 billion in copper last year, mostly from Chile, Canada, Peru, and Mexico. Copper powers a lot more than people realize, it’s used in smartphones, electric cars, medical gear, and our electrical grid. Most of it enters through major ports like New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Houston before moving by rail or truck. If these tariffs move forward, it could impact pricing, supply chains, and decisions on where companies choose to make their goods.

Red Sea Tensions Surge as Two Ships Sink in One Week

After months of relative calm, violence has surged again in the Red Sea. On July 6, the cargo ship Magic Seas, flagged in Liberia and operated by a Greek firm, was attacked and sunk by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The vessel was carrying iron and fertilizer from China to Turkey when it came under fire from small arms, RPGs, and explosive-laden sea drones. The 19 crew members abandoned ship and were rescued by a nearby merchant vessel. Just two days later, another Liberian-flagged Greek ship, Eternity C, suffered a similar fate. After a two-day assault, the vessel sank on July 9. Seven crew members were rescued, but at least three are confirmed dead and over a dozen are still missing.

These attacks have shattered the fragile sense of safety in the region and triggered immediate retaliation. Israeli airstrikes hit key Houthi-controlled ports, including Hodeida and Ras Isa, while the Houthis fired ballistic missiles toward Israel in return. The fallout is already hitting global trade hard. War risk insurance premiums for vessels crossing the Red Sea have more than doubled, jumping from 0.4 percent to 1 percent of a vessel’s insured value. That means an extra $1 million in insurance on a $100 million ship. Shippers are once again weighing the costs, risks, and delays of rerouting, because the Red Sea is once again too dangerous to ignore.

Air Cargo Faces Headwinds as Tariffs and E-Commerce Shift the Game

The trans-Pacific air cargo market is feeling the strain as new U.S. trade rules and declining e-commerce demand from China weigh heavily on volumes. After the U.S. removed the duty-free exemption on low-value imports under $800, cargo volumes dropped fast. Dozens of freighter flights have been pulled from China to the U.S., and spot rates dipped below $5 per kilo for the first time in weeks. With nearly half of forwarder bookings still sitting in the spot market, many are holding off on long-term rate commitments until the dust settles.

But it’s not all bad news. Demand is rising out of Southeast Asia, especially from Vietnam and Thailand, as shippers race to move goods before potential tariff hikes. Intra-Asia air cargo is also holding strong, and perishable exports are expected to lift trans-Pacific volumes over the summer. Still, space remains tight and delays are likely, so shippers are being urged to pre-book time-sensitive freight early. For now, flexibility and planning ahead are the name of the game.

JAXPORT Gets a Major Upgrade: Faster Asia Service Now Calls Jacksonville First

Big news for importers moving cargo from Asia: Jacksonville is now the first Southeast U.S. stop on the revised EC3 container service. This weekly route, run by Ocean Network Express, HMM, and Yang Ming, now shaves up to five days off transit times from ports like Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. Ships are calling the newly modernized SSA terminal at Blount Island, where deeper waters and no berth congestion help keep schedules on time. It’s a win for speed, reliability, and anyone shipping to or from the Southeast.

JAXPORT’s rise in priority comes as its $72 million terminal expansion nears completion, with more space, better gate systems, and taller container stacks ready to handle the growth. Already Florida’s busiest container port, Jacksonville now offers importers same-day access to nearly 100 million U.S. consumers. If you’re not already routing through JAXPORT, this service change might be the nudge to start.