What’s Shifting in Shipping: Tariff Updates, Sunday Deliveries, Surge Fees, Container Pileups, and Amazon’s LTL
Every week brings a new set of twists for shippers. From surprise fees and shifting trade policies to changing carrier strategies, staying on top of the news isn’t optional—it’s essential for managing costs, customer expectations, and operational resilience.
Here are five key developments from the past week, why they matter to your business, and how Intelligent Audit can help you stay ahead.
1. White House Narrows April 2 Tariffs
The White House announced a shift in its tariff strategy, walking back plans to implement broad sector-specific tariffs. Instead, the administration will impose reciprocal tariffs on a select group of nations that represent the bulk of U.S. foreign trade. This move aims to create more balance in trade relationships without disrupting entire industries. While this decision eases pressure on sectors like automotive and tech for now, it leaves the door open for further action down the line. Shippers must continue monitoring trade policy changes as even reciprocal tariffs can significantly affect sourcing costs and routes.
[TL:DR] Key Takeway:
Tariffs—even targeted ones—have the power to reshape supply chains. If you're sourcing from affected countries, now’s the time to reevaluate supplier diversity, review landed cost scenarios, and prepare for future shifts.
2. FedEx Renews Sunday Home Delivery Push to Meet Demand
FedEx is once again expanding its Sunday home delivery service, now covering nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population. The move comes in response to growing demand from large retail partners and is expected to generate over half a million additional packages weekly. After scaling back Sunday deliveries due to operational challenges in the past, FedEx now expects profitability in this expanded service by early fiscal year 2026. They are leveraging existing infrastructure to support the volume surge, giving it an edge over competitors like UPS who do not offer Sunday delivery. This expansion signals an evolution in consumer expectations around speed and convenience.
[TL:DR] Key Takeway:
Sunday deliveries are back—giving you an extra day each week to get packages to customers on time. Brands that work with carriers offering this service will have an edge. If you're a FedEx customer, watch closely to see if this becomes an advantage your business can leverage.
3. UPS Slaps Temporary Fee on China-to-US Shipments
UPS has introduced a $0.29 per pound “Surge Fee” on shipments coming from China, Hong Kong, and Macau to the U.S., effective through March 29. The surcharge is designed to help manage a spike in export demand while maintaining service quality. It applies to the billable weight of shipments and is subject to UPS’s standard fuel surcharge. This move follows a trend of rising international shipping costs, including increased tariffs and the possible elimination of the de minimis threshold for low-value goods. The cumulative impact could squeeze margins for shippers dependent on Asia-based supply chains.
[TL:DR] Key Takeaway:
Shipping costs are climbing fast, especially out of Asia. If your freight lanes include China, now’s the time to reassess your inventory sourcing strategy and digging into your data to assess the long-term impact of recurring surcharges.
4. Empty Containers Piling Up in LA/Long Beach After Import Spike
The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are facing congestion issues once again—but this time it’s due to a flood of empty containers. A surge in January imports has overwhelmed terminals, making it difficult to return empties and causing operational slowdowns. The situation is affecting appointment availability and prompting calls for better coordination between ocean carriers, terminal operators, and trucking companies. Without swift action, container repositioning delays could disrupt outbound shipments and contribute to broader supply chain bottlenecks. Shippers are urged to collaborate closely with partners to keep container flows moving.
[TL:DR] Key Takeaway:
Port congestion doesn’t just delay incoming goods—it disrupts the return cycle, too. Delays in empty returns can result in chassis shortages, detention fees, and ripple effects across your domestic distribution network.
5. Amazon’s LTL Pursuit Threatens to Shake Up Retail Freight
Amazon is reportedly exploring a deeper push into the less-than-truckload (LTL) freight market, with plans to internalize more of its retail shipping volumes. This development follows a series of shakeups in the LTL space, including Yellow’s bankruptcy and increased consolidation by competitors like XPO and Knight-Swift. With its infrastructure and scale, Amazon could disrupt pricing and service models traditionally controlled by legacy LTL providers. Industry experts believe this move could lead to new efficiency standards—but also less volume available to existing carriers. As Amazon builds its own network, it may force a reevaluation of how retail freight is priced and delivered across the industry.
[TL:DR] Key Takeaway:
Amazon entering LTL is a big deal—it means fewer options and more pricing pressure for everyone else. If you’re reliant on LTL, watch capacity shifts closely and have contingency plans in place.
IA’s Solutions: Clarity in the Chaos
At Intelligent Audit, we help shippers shift from reactive scrambling to proactive strategy.
We take your messy, disconnected data and transform it into clean, actionable Business Intelligence. Our self-serve Modeling Tools let you simulate "what-if" scenarios against your current operations—so you can identify cost-saving opportunities and optimize efficiency before disruptions hit. When challenges arise, you’ll have the insights you need, exactly when you need them, to make confident, informed decisions.
Don’t Miss This: Q2 2025 Shipper Insights Webinar with Bart De Muynck
To dive deeper into these and other recent developments, what they mean for your business, and how you can make strategic shifts to stay head, don’t miss our upcoming webinar, Essential Insights for Shippers with Bart De Muynck on April 8th, at 2:30 PM EST.
Weekly Shifts, Long-Term Strategy
The headlines may change weekly, but the need for visibility and control remains constant. Tariffs fluctuate, fees are introduced without warning, and logistics strategies from the biggest players keep evolving. But with IA, you can turn unpredictability into opportunity—using data to navigate change and drive smarter decisions.
Want to see how IA helps shippers respond faster and ship smarter? Connect with us
