U.S. Tariff Reset Looms: What Every Shipper Should Know Before July 9
A major tariff deadline is approaching, and companies that import and export goods to and from the United States need to prepare. On July 9, the 90-day pause on new U.S. tariffs is set to expire. Trade talks are still in motion, but no guarantees have been made. If bilateral agreements aren’t finalized in time, tariffs could increase to 10% to 50% on goods from Europe, Asia, and other key regions.
Here’s what shippers, logistics teams, and supply chain leaders need to know and what actions they can take to avoid unexpected costs and cash flow strain.
July 9 Deadline: What’s at Stake
On April 9, the U.S. administration placed a temporary pause on reciprocal tariffs for all countries except China, Canada, and Mexico. That pause ends in less than a week.
If trade talks fail to yield results, higher tariffs could be implemented immediately. The uncertainty is already creating operational and financial questions across the industry.
- Ocean carriers are maintaining high capacity levels on trans-Atlantic routes despite weaker demand. Carriers will deploy over 344,000 TEUs westbound in July, the highest in 12 months.
- Spot rates have dropped significantly. Xeneta reports that short-term rates on North Europe to U.S. lanes are down 37 percent since January, currently averaging around $1,206 per FEU.
- Shippers are holding back on frontloading due to unclear outcomes. Some sectors are seeing modest early moves, but the overall trend is wait-and-see.
With the possibility of tariffs increasing as early as next week, companies should not wait to assess their exposure.
Where Trade Talks Stand with Key Partners
Several U.S. trade partners are still negotiating to avoid the tariff hike.
Some progress has been made, but many issues remain unresolved.
The situation remains fluid. Any country without a deal by July 9 may face new or reinstated tariffs, with no advance notice.
Transshipment Confusion: A Costly Gray Area
Importers are also grappling with confusion around transshipped cargo.
Specifically, whether goods that left their origin port before April 5 but were transshipped mid-journey are exempt from the new tariffs.
A coalition of 94 shippers and logistics groups, including the National Retail Federation (NRF) and RILA, has asked U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to clarify its guidance. Current interpretations are inconsistent, leaving many shipments in a state of legal limbo.
While prior CBP rulings suggest that transshipment should not change a shipment’s tariff status, the lack of clear, centralized guidance is creating compliance risk and the potential for unexpected charges.
Legal challenges are underway, but a resolution is likely to be months away.
What You Can Do Now
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With rates fluctuating and tariff rules in flux, shippers can take steps today to protect their operations and financial health.
- Review current routings and Incoterms to clarify who bears tariff liability.
- Identify country-specific risk exposure across both imports and exports.
- Ask your forwarder or customs broker whether your in-transit or transshipped goods might be impacted.
- Monitor spot rate trends and assess opportunities to optimize contracts.
- Audit freight invoices and tariffs applied to ensure accuracy and refund eligibility.
The companies that move quickly now before tariff changes take effect will be better positioned to preserve cash, avoid overpayment, and maintain supply chain stability.
Supporting Your Team with Better Freight Visibility
At BlueCargo, we support importers and exporters with technology that simplifies tariff compliance and improves cash flow visibility.
Our platform helps you:
- Audit freight invoices across lanes and modes
- Track potential tariff-linked liabilities in real time
- Identify refund and correction opportunities
- Forecast landed costs with greater accuracy
If your finance or operations team is concerned about rising tariff exposure or transshipment risks, now is the right time to review your freight data.
We’re happy to offer a quick freight invoice audit to help you assess where value might be left on the table.
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