Freight News: Taiwan Tariffs, CAPE Refunds & Roadcheck Rates | Southern Star Navigation
Iran Conflict Keeps Freight Industry Focused on Risk Planning
The freight industry continues monitoring developments involving Iran, ongoing USMCA trade activity, and rising insurance costs as companies evaluate how global events may influence transportation and supply chain operations. While freight markets remain active, these types of global developments can impact fuel pricing, carrier operating costs, and routing decisions across international and domestic logistics networks.
Insurance costs have become an increasingly important factor throughout transportation and logistics. Higher insurance expenses can affect carriers, brokers, warehouse operators, and cargo owners alike, especially as companies continue managing equipment costs, claims exposure, and compliance requirements. In many cases, these added costs gradually work their way into overall freight pricing and operational planning.
USMCA trade activity also remains an important area of focus for companies moving freight throughout North America. Cross-border shipments between the United States, Mexico, and Canada continue playing a major role in manufacturing, automotive, retail, and industrial supply chains. As trade policies and customs requirements continue evolving, many businesses are placing greater attention on documentation accuracy, supplier diversification, and routing flexibility.
The positive takeaway is that companies still have strong opportunities to stay ahead through proactive planning and communication. Reviewing freight strategies early, confirming routing options, maintaining accurate documentation, and building flexibility into supply chains can help reduce surprises as market conditions continue changing. In today’s environment, preparation and visibility remain some of the most valuable tools for keeping freight moving smoothly and efficiently.
New Taiwan Tariff Changes Take Effect Under U.S.-Taiwan Trade Agreement
The United States has officially moved forward with new tariff changes tied to the recent Taiwan-U.S. trade and security framework, with updates now pre-published in the Federal Register and effective retroactively to May 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. ET. The changes primarily affect certain Taiwan-origin automotive parts, wood products, and civil aircraft components under Section 232 tariff rules.
One of the biggest changes impacts qualifying Taiwan automotive parts. Under the new structure, the total tariff burden for certain covered products will now be capped at 15%. Under the updated structure, if the normal duty rate for a qualifying Taiwan auto part is already 15% or higher, no additional Section 232 tariff will apply. If the existing duty rate is below 15%, the Section 232 tariff will only apply up to the point where the combined total reaches 15%.
The notice also creates a new tariff structure for certain Taiwan wood products under HTSUS heading 9903.76.24. In addition, the United States is removing derivative Section 232 steel, aluminum, and copper tariffs from many Taiwan-origin civil aircraft components. The affected categories cover a broad range of industrial and manufacturing products, including pipes, fittings, motors, HVAC equipment, mechanical components, and aircraft-related parts listed throughout the annex of the notice.
The broader agreement is tied to a larger U.S.-Taiwan economic and supply chain strategy focused heavily on semiconductors, artificial intelligence, defense technology, and industrial manufacturing investment. According to the notice, Taiwan committed to supporting up to $250 billion in corporate credit lines and additional investment activity tied to semiconductor and technology expansion projects in the United States.
For importers, the key takeaway is that these changes may significantly alter duty exposure on certain Taiwan-origin products depending on the HTS classification and current duty structure. Companies importing automotive components, wood products, aerospace parts, industrial equipment, or manufacturing inputs from Taiwan should review classifications carefully and evaluate whether entries after May 1, 2026 may qualify for revised treatment or potential refunds under the updated HTSUS provisions. View the Official Federal Register Notice
CBP’s Latest CAPE Update Shows Refund Progress, But Data Issues Still Matter
CBP filed a new declaration with the Court of International Trade on May 26, 2026, giving a clearer look at how IEEPA tariff refunds are moving through the CAPE system. CAPE is the new ACE function CBP is using to process valid refunds of additional duties that were collected under IEEPA. According to the declaration, CAPE first became available in ACE on April 20, 2026.
As of May 22 at 3:00 p.m. ET, CBP reported that 157,402 CAPE declarations had been submitted, and 108,760 passed the first file validation checks. The most common problems were importer or filer mismatches, entry number issues, and CSV files that did not match the ACE portal template.
The declarations that passed file validation covered 15,852,806 entries that were accepted for removal of IEEPA duties through CAPE. CBP also reported that 8,515,477 accepted entries had already been liquidated or reliquidated without IEEPA duties. At the same time, 3,481,844 entries failed entry-level checks, mainly because they were outside CBP’s 90-day reliquidation authority, did not include a Chapter 99 HTS number used for IEEPA duties, or had already been filed on an earlier CAPE declaration.
The refund amounts are also significant. CBP stated that about $85 billion in potential and certified refunds had been accepted for processing in CAPE. Of that amount, about $20.6 billion in duties plus interest had been completed through the CAPE Refund component, certified by CBP, and sent to the U.S. Department of Treasury for disbursement. CBP also clarified that a prior refund figure from its May 11 declaration had been overstated by about $10 billion because of a data query issue, not because of an error in CAPE processing.
The biggest takeaway is that CAPE is moving a large volume of refund activity, but clean data is still critical. CBP also noted that 4,185 consolidated refunds had not been sent to Treasury because ACH banking information was missing for the importer of record or its authorized CBP Form 4811 designee. Importers should make sure their entry data, CAPE files, and refund banking setup are accurate before assuming their refund is ready to move forward. View the Official CBP Declaration Filed with the Court of International Trade
Spot Truckload Rates Jump During International Roadcheck Week
Spot truckload rates moved higher across dry van, reefer, and flatbed markets during this year’s International Roadcheck inspection period. As enforcement activity increased across North America, available truck capacity tightened temporarily, causing rates to react quickly in many lanes. The increase was especially noticeable in the spot market, where pricing typically reacts quickly to short-term disruptions and capacity shifts.
The situation serves as another reminder of how sensitive the freight market remains to operational disruptions. Even a few days of increased inspections can reduce available trucks, slow transit times, and place upward pressure on pricing. Shippers moving time-sensitive freight should continue monitoring market conditions closely as summer shipping demand gradually increases and capacity conditions tighten in certain regions.
Proposed CES Fee Increases Could Impact Import Costs at LA/LB Ports
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced proposed fee increases for California Cartage Company’s Central Examination Station (CES) located at the Los Angeles / Long Beach Seaport complex. The proposed changes would affect multiple examination-related services tied to cargo inspections, including devanning charges, facility fees, storage, refrigerated container handling, hazardous cargo surcharges, and other operational services associated with CBP examinations.
Many of the proposed increases range from approximately 4% to 10% and could impact both FCL and LCL shipments selected for CBP examination. The proposal also highlights increasing labor, warehouse, equipment, utility, and operating costs affecting CES operations. Importers moving freight through Southern California ports should remain aware that inspection-related costs may continue rising as CBP examination facilities adjust pricing to reflect operational expenses. Review the Full CBP TIN Notice and Proposed CES Fee Schedule.
FMCSA Launches New Motus Registration System
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officially launched its new Motus registration system, replacing several older registration platforms used for carrier registration and oversight. The updated system is intended to improve registration efficiency, strengthen fraud prevention efforts, and provide more accurate carrier data across the trucking industry.
The launch comes as regulators continue increasing focus on carrier verification, compliance monitoring, and fraud prevention throughout the transportation sector. Improved data management and streamlined registration tools could help reduce duplicate records, improve oversight, and simplify certain administrative processes for carriers and brokers. The transition also reflects the industry’s broader push toward modernization and more centralized digital compliance systems.
Companies Continue Shifting Shipping Routes as Tariff Pressure Builds
More companies are adjusting sourcing strategies and shipping routes as tariff uncertainty continues to impact global supply chains. Businesses are increasingly exploring alternative manufacturing locations, diversifying supplier networks, and rerouting cargo to reduce long-term cost exposure tied to changing trade policies and geopolitical risk.
The shift is creating noticeable changes in freight patterns across multiple regions. Importers are placing greater focus on flexibility, supplier diversification, and long-term planning rather than relying too heavily on a single sourcing country or transportation lane. As trade regulations and tariff frameworks continue evolving, many businesses are taking a more proactive approach to supply chain risk management and logistics strategy.
Air Freight Rates Remain Elevated as Market Conditions Continue Shifting
Air freight pricing continues to remain elevated across many global trade lanes as carriers manage fuel costs, shifting capacity, and changing routing conditions. Recent market reports show that while some regions are beginning to stabilize, overall air cargo pricing remains above historical averages in several major corridors. Fuel exposure, network adjustments, and lane-specific demand continue influencing both pricing and transit reliability.
For shippers, the market remains highly corridor dependent. Some routes are seeing softer conditions while others continue facing tighter capacity and higher operating costs. Businesses moving urgent, high-value, or time-sensitive cargo should continue planning shipments early and reviewing routing options carefully as airlines and forwarders adjust networks to changing global conditions.
