This week, we review several developments influencing international trade and logistics, from new customs regulations and trade policy updates to changing transportation market conditions.

Highlights include the EU’s push toward greater customs data transparency, expanded ocean carrier services, potential air cargo disruptions in Brussels, and continued cost pressures across global ground transportation networks.

  • 5 min

Current Position | Weekly Briefing September 30th - October 6th

The Expeditors Podcast

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You're listening to Current Position, a weekly briefing from Expeditors mapping the shifts across trade compliance, regulatory changes, and global supply chains.

I'm Chris Parker, and here's the latest from September 30th to October 6th.   

Global Customs & Trade Market

• The European Union’s new Union Customs Code will make carriers active participants in customs data sharing. A new regulation creates the new code and an EU Customs Authority. It also mandates use of the EU Customs Data Hub for all businesses starting in 2034. Under Article 101, goods needing advance cargo information may not be unloaded in the EU customs territory unless correct information has been submitted.   

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently offered updated guidance on Section 232 duties for pharmaceutical articles and ingredients. The federal notice identifies pharmaceutical products eligible for a 0% tariff rate under HTSUS 9903.04.66. CBP also confirmed that drawback is available with respect to these Section 232 duties. 

• A finalized trade agreement between India and the United States has yet to be reached despite both sides agreeing to a framework in February. Officials on both sides have said talks have yet again stalled, but have not clearly indicated why. The framework outlines a plan to reduce punitive tariffs on most Indian goods imported to the U.S. from 50% to 18%. So far, no deal has been finalized. 

Global Ocean Market

• Reservations for Panama Canal transits will soon be available for Panamax locks as well as Neopanamax. The Panama Canal Authority said it’s expanding the transit reservation program to allow carriers to book passage months in advance of the dry season. The Long-term Slot Allocation, or LoTSA, program will offer reservations for up to three Panamax slots per day Jan. 3-April 3, 2027.  

• OOCL will add a third China to South America east coast loop in December. The TLA3 service, starting mid-December 2026, will link Ningbo, Shanghai and Shekou with Santos, Navegantes, Montevideo and Buenos Aires. Calls at Coega and Hong Kong remain subject to confirmation.

Global Air Market

• Planned union action for October 9 in Brussels is expected to affect logistics and transportation activities in and around Brussels Airport (BRU).  Around 140 flights are expected to be cancelled given reduced staffing for freight acceptance, handling, and delivery. The strike involves various transportation groups and is part of broader opposition to federal austerity measures affecting wages, VAT, and working conditions. The strike action could last into next week.  

• Data shows air shippers may be shifting contract strategy to shorter-term deals. Xeneta numbers show 60% of new Q3 contracts have been agreed to for three months or less. Only 25% of contracts followed that timeline a year ago. September data also showed volumes up 6% year on year and spot rates averaging USD 3.10 per kg.

Global Ground Transport Market

• U.S. President Trump has ordered regulators to remove the federal excise tax imposed for on-road use of dyed diesel fuel without penalty for the remainder of 2026. The executive action was taken to answer market frustrations over record high diesel prices at almost $6.50 a gallon. Fuel prices have risen dramatically across the globe due to several conflicts including Russia-Ukraine and the U.S. and Israel with Iran.  

• UK hauliers face a wave of insolvencies as diesel tops GBP 2 a litre. The Road Haulage Association says each truck costs about GBP 350 more per week to fuel than in February. This is what UK carriers are facing against typical margins of around 2%. Many fixed-price contracts prevent firms from passing costs on, so some in the market are expecting many hauliers to go out of business. 

You are now at our current position. Links to everything we covered today, plus some extra articles of interest, are in the show notes.

And while you're there, check out the events and webinars we flagged for the weeks ahead. Thank you for listening, and we'll see you next week. 

Be sure to subscribe to your preferred podcast platform so you don't miss future episodes. To learn more about Expeditors, you can find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X, or simply visit us at expeditors.com. Take care, and I'll see you next time!