| | | | | | Industry News Customs Brokerage News Eastern News
| | | | | | | | | | Drayage Strike Halts Cargo Flow at Mundra and Kandla Ports | | A drayage strike has effectively halted landside cargo movement at India’s Mundra and Kandla ports, following a walkout by around 35,000 truck operators on Friday. The strike, focused on demands for improved highway infrastructure, suspends movement of import and export cargo through the ports, container freight stations, and related facilities until further notice. Mundra, the country’s busiest container gateway, relies on trucks for about 70% of inland cargo movement, and the stoppage comes shortly after the port recovered from severe rail congestion. Carriers are managing short-term disruptions by pre-gating containers, but pressure on upcoming vessel schedules is expected if the strike continues. Port officials and truck owners emphasize that the action is coordinated to secure long-term solutions, highlighting ongoing challenges with road conditions and tolls amid rising container volumes, which reached 5.6 million TEUs through the first eight months of 2025. | | | | | | | | Port of Long Beach Responds to Fallen Containers from Cargo Ship Mississippi | | On September 9, 2025, an estimated 67 shipping containers fell from the cargo ship Mississippi into the water at Pier G in the Port of Long Beach just after 9 a.m. A smaller clean air barge connected to the vessel was damaged by several of the fallen containers. The containers, carrying goods from China, caused no injuries, and no other terminals or port operations were affected. A Unified Command—including the U.S. Coast Guard, local fire and police departments, Army Corps of Engineers, and port officials—is managing the response. Cargo operations at Pier G were temporarily paused while sonar surveys locate 25–30 submerged containers. A salvage plan is underway, pollution containment measures are in place, and a 500-yard safety zone surrounds the vessel with hourly marine safety broadcasts. Authorities are focused on worker safety, secure navigation, and recovery, with full resolution dependent on ongoing salvage operations. | | | | | | | | | | | | U.S. Imposes New Tariff Measures on Indian Imports | | On Aug. 6, 2025, the Trump administration issued Executive Order 14329 to impose an additional ad valorem duty rate of 25% on U.S. imports of Indian products. The action responded to India’s direct or indirect imports of Russian oil in support of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
Applicability & Effective Date The 25% duty applied to all Indian-origin products entered for U.S. consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after August 27, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
Core Exceptions -
In-Transit Shipments (HTSUS 9903.01.85): Goods loaded and moving before Aug. 27, 2025, and entered before Sept. 17, 2025, with importer certification. -
Humanitarian & Personal Use (HTSUS 9903.01.88 / 9903.01.89): Donations such as food, clothing, medicine, and personal baggage. -
Other Trade Program Exemptions (HTSUS 9903.01.86): Goods covered under Executive Order 14257 (reciprocal tariff program). Additional Exemptions from the Annex -
Certain iron and steel products (HTSUS 9903.81.87–.93). -
Certain aluminum products (HTSUS 9903.85.02, .04, .07–.09). -
Passenger vehicles and light trucks and related parts (HTSUS 9903.94.01, .03, .05). -
Semi-finished copper and derivative copper products (HTSUS 9903.78.01). -
Goods admitted into U.S. Foreign Trade Zones on or after Aug. 27, 2025, must enter as “privileged foreign status” and are subject to the duties upon U.S. consumption entry. The notice, including the full Annex to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, was published in theFederal Register and made available online. | | | | | | | | Updating Reciprocal Tariffs and Trade Agreement Procedures | | On September 5, the President issued an Executive Order updating the list of products subject to reciprocal tariffs, with changes that took effect on September 8. Key points of the order include:
Annex II Amendments
Added to exclusions (no reciprocal tariff): Certain bullion-related articles, critical minerals, and pharmaceutical products under pending Section 232 investigations. Removed from exclusions (now subject to reciprocal tariffs): Certain aluminum hydroxide, resin, and silicone products.
Annex III (pg 38) Established Creates a new list of articles that may be considered for tariff reductions in future trade agreements. Includes products not grown, mined, or sufficiently produced in the U.S., certain agricultural goods, aircraft and aircraft parts, and non-patented pharmaceutical-related articles.
| | | | | | | | Executive Order 14345: Implementing the United States–Japan Trade Agreement | | On September 4, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14345 to implement the United States–Japan trade agreement to strengthen U.S. economic and national security interests while promoting balanced trade. Key provisions of the order include: - Effective Date and Applicability
Tariffs and related provisions apply retroactively to Japanese goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse on or after August 7, 2025. - Tariffs on Japanese Imports
A baseline 15% tariff applies to most Japanese goods, with sector-specific adjustments for automobiles, aerospace products, pharmaceuticals, and certain natural resources. Some prior Section 232 duties have been removed or modified. Japan will increase purchases of U.S. agricultural products—including corn, soybeans, rice, fertilizer, and bioethanol—totaling $8 billion annually. The country will also accept U.S.-manufactured and safety-certified passenger vehicles without additional testing, and purchase U.S.-made commercial aircraft and defense equipment. Japan has committed to $550 billion in U.S. investments, expected to generate jobs and expand domestic manufacturing.
| | | | | | | | | | Concours Cup Kicks Off 3rd Season at COTA | | The Concours Cup is entering its third season, with the first race taking place on Wednesday, September 17th, 2025, at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, TX. This exclusive competition brings together members of the prestigious Concours Club to test their skill and precision on a challenging track. Eastern Racing, the philanthropic arm of Eastern Shipping Worldwide, Inc.—a global freight forwarder—will be represented by President Eric Wagner, who has participated since the series began. Eastern Racing reflects the company’s focus on precision and purposeful action, where attention to detail and adaptability drive excellence both on the track and in business. Results and a livestream will be available on Eastern Racing’s website closer to race day. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Our mailing address is: One Pierce Place, Suite 460 E, Itasca, IL 60143
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