US Rail Freight Gains Carloads but Loses Intermodal Traffic

US Rail Freight Gains Carloads but Loses Intermodal Traffic

According to the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending November 29th, U.S. rail carload traffic increased by 4.3% year-over-year, primarily driven by growth in coal, minerals, and grain shipments. However, intermodal traffic experienced a 6.5% year-over-year decline. Year-to-date figures show growth in both carload and intermodal volumes, but the future growth outlook remains uncertain. The mixed performance highlights the complexities of the current freight market and the influence of various economic factors on rail transportation.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Amid Economic Slowdown

US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Amid Economic Slowdown

Recent data indicates challenges in the US rail freight market, with year-over-year declines in both carload and intermodal volumes. Despite increased shipments of certain commodities, the overall situation is not optimistic. North American market data shows slight improvement, but attention must be paid to macroeconomic factors, trade environment, and supply chain influences. Companies should proactively embrace change, optimize operations, and expand their businesses to prepare for market recovery. The key is to adapt and innovate in the face of current headwinds.

02/04/2026 Logistics
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Key Differences Between Master and House Air Waybills in Freight

Key Differences Between Master and House Air Waybills in Freight

Significant differences exist between Master Air Waybills (MAWB) and House Air Waybills (HAWB) in international air freight, including issuance, ownership, applicable scenarios, and risks. MAWBs are issued by airlines and represent ownership, suitable for bulk cargo. HAWBs are issued by freight forwarders, not representing ownership, and are used for consolidated shipments. The choice depends on cargo volume, cost, risk tolerance, and requires attention to freight forwarder reputation, document verification, insurance purchase, and regulatory compliance. Careful consideration ensures efficient and secure air freight operations.

02/03/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Guide to Air Freight Booking for Crossborder Ecommerce

Guide to Air Freight Booking for Crossborder Ecommerce

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the international air freight booking process, covering five key stages: preliminary preparation, freight forwarder selection, space confirmation, document preparation and customs declaration, and delivery/loading. It offers practical advice on booking lead times based on factors such as peak/off-season, commodity type, and route popularity. Furthermore, it summarizes key points to avoid common pitfalls in booking operations, helping cross-border e-commerce sellers efficiently and economically complete international air freight shipments.

02/03/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Malawi Customs Boosts Wildlife Protection with WCO Tech Upgrade

Malawi Customs Boosts Wildlife Protection with WCO Tech Upgrade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) in enhancing its intelligence capabilities to combat illegal wildlife trade. Through training and process optimization, the initiative strengthens risk management and contributes to the protection of biodiversity. This collaboration aims to improve the MRA's ability to identify and intercept shipments of illegal wildlife products, ultimately supporting global efforts to conserve endangered species and combat transnational crime. The WCO's support is crucial for building sustainable enforcement mechanisms within the MRA.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Key Factors Shaping Shanghaius Ocean Freight Efficiency

Key Factors Shaping Shanghaius Ocean Freight Efficiency

This article delves into the key factors affecting ocean shipping time from Shanghai to the US, including transportation methods, destination port location, shipping company selection, cargo type, and customs clearance efficiency. It provides practical strategies for optimizing shipping time and answers frequently asked questions, aiming to help cargo owners better plan their shipping solutions and ensure timely delivery of goods. The analysis focuses on understanding and mitigating potential delays to improve the overall logistics process for shipments between Shanghai and the United States.

02/03/2026 Logistics
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US Shippers Warned Against Oversized Carton Costs

US Shippers Warned Against Oversized Carton Costs

This article provides a detailed interpretation of US ocean freight outer carton size requirements. It offers recommendations on packaging material selection and packaging methods, and answers frequently asked questions. The aim is to help you avoid cargo rejection due to size issues, saving you time, effort, and worry. It covers key aspects of dimension compliance for shipments to the US, ensuring smooth and efficient delivery by understanding and adhering to the specific regulations regarding outer carton dimensions and appropriate packaging.

02/03/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Amazon Struggles to Balance Fulfillment Costs and Efficiency

Amazon Struggles to Balance Fulfillment Costs and Efficiency

This paper delves into Amazon's inventory placement mechanism, revealing the logic and reasons behind it. It provides a series of actionable solutions to avoid split shipments, including inventory placement service, new shipment plan, standardized product packaging, optimized shipping settings, modified shipping address, and AGL locked storage. These strategies aim to help sellers overcome inventory placement challenges, optimize logistics strategies, and improve operational efficiency within the Amazon FBA framework. By implementing these solutions, sellers can streamline their fulfillment processes and reduce associated costs.

01/04/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Amazon Sellers Optimize FBA Shipping and Inventory

Amazon Sellers Optimize FBA Shipping and Inventory

This article delves into the rules and considerations of Amazon's FBA fulfillment program, emphasizing the general recommendation against splitting shipments. It offers advice on logistics choices and tracking for self-fulfilled sellers. The article elaborates on three key aspects of FBA fulfillment: shipping time, cost accounting, and replenishment strategies. It also addresses how to handle discrepancies between planned and actual shipment quantities. The aim is to help sellers optimize their fulfillment strategies and reduce operational risks by understanding these critical elements of FBA.

12/31/2025 Logistics
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Amazon Tightens Rules on Freight Forwarders to Boost Seller Transparency

Amazon Tightens Rules on Freight Forwarders to Boost Seller Transparency

Amazon is cracking down on the 'Far Warehouse Near Delivery' issue by upgrading the shipment management page, improving the accuracy of appointment manifests, and severely punishing violations. Sellers can now track the warehouse entry location of their shipments through the backend, choose reputable freight forwarders, and operate in compliance to jointly build a healthy ecosystem. This aims to ensure fair competition and efficient logistics within the Amazon marketplace, promoting a more sustainable and reliable experience for both sellers and customers.

12/31/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
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