Freight shipping rates have hit their highest level since the Red Sea crisis, as firms scramble to load cargo before the United States rolls out new tariffs. A 40‑foot container from China to the U.S. east coast now costs $7,880, a 62% jump in a month, according to the pricing platform Freightos. The surge reflects pre‑emptive inventory builds ahead of the July deadline.

Across the Atlantic, rates to the Mediterranean rose 47% to $6,431, while the Platts Container Index jumped 80% in the past 30 days, reaching its loftiest level since April 2022. The rise follows the U.S. Trade Representative’s announcement of at least 10% tariffs on goods from 60 countries over forced‑labour concerns, prompting shippers to front‑load cargo.

Ship owners cite tariff uncertainty and higher bunker costs as the main drivers of the price spike. BIMCO, the global shipowners’ association, warned that front‑loading cargo into the United States is inflating freight rates sharply. With peak‑season volumes now shifted forward, importers face tighter budgets and longer‑term pressure on logistics margins.

Logistics firms such as Kuehne+Nagel are advising clients to lock in capacity now, while some retailers risk over‑ordering to avoid shortages. The cost surge erodes profit margins and could ripple into consumer prices, especially for goods sourced from China, Europe and the Mediterranean, as the tariff regime takes effect later July.