US Imports Stay Elevated As Port Delays Continue

US Imports Stay Elevated As Port Delays Continue

According to the Descartes Global Shipping Report, US imports in August decreased by 3% month-over-month but remained high, up 12.9% year-over-year, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. This high import volume exacerbates port congestion, with delays increasing at the seven major ports. Chinese imports remain a significant driver, growing by 17.2%. The report reveals a slight decrease in the West Coast ports' share and a general increase in port transportation delays. Addressing port congestion requires increased infrastructure investment, optimized operations, and improved inland transportation.

01/21/2026 Logistics
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Southeast Asia Becomes Data Center Hub Amid AI Boom

Southeast Asia Becomes Data Center Hub Amid AI Boom

A DBS Research report indicates that the ASEAN data center industry is poised for significant growth, fueled by AI expansion and geopolitical opportunities. Capacity is projected to increase by over 10% annually until 2030. ASEAN's advantages in the AI hardware value chain, differentiated regional development patterns, and proactive trade policies position it as a new growth engine in the global AI wave. Its burgeoning digital economy is expected to hedge against trade risks, making ASEAN an attractive destination for data center investment and AI-related activities.

Guatemala Strengthens Customs Oversight for Tax Reform

Guatemala Strengthens Customs Oversight for Tax Reform

The Superintendency of Tax Administration of Guatemala, with SECO-WCO support, held a leadership and management development workshop for senior managers. The aim was to enhance the skills of customs managers, promote the modernization of the customs system, facilitate trade, increase tax revenue, and improve international competitiveness. The WCO's Leadership and Management Development Programme makes a significant contribution to the development of customs systems worldwide. The workshop emphasized strategic thinking and effective implementation of customs reforms, ultimately fostering a more efficient and transparent trade environment.

Bolivia Strengthens Trade Program with Regional Expertise

Bolivia Strengthens Trade Program with Regional Expertise

Bolivia is drawing on the AEO experiences of Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay to optimize its own AEO program. This aims to enhance trade facilitation, increase the number of AEO-certified companies, and ultimately promote economic development. By learning from successful implementations in other countries, Bolivia seeks to streamline its customs processes and improve the competitiveness of its businesses in the global market. The focus is on creating a more efficient and secure trading environment through strengthened customs cooperation and the wider adoption of AEO standards.

US Freight Index Surge Points to Strong Economic Rebound

US Freight Index Surge Points to Strong Economic Rebound

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports a five-month consecutive increase in the Freight Transportation Services Index, signaling a robust U.S. economic recovery. This index, tracking freight volumes across trucking, rail, water, pipeline, and air, provides crucial market trend insights for businesses. Companies should closely monitor market dynamics, optimize supply chains, and expand into diversified businesses to seize opportunities and address challenges. This sustained growth in freight activity underscores a positive outlook for various sectors and highlights potential areas for investment and expansion.

02/12/2026 Logistics
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USPS Opens Lastmile Delivery to Private Bidders

USPS Opens Lastmile Delivery to Private Bidders

USPS plans to open its last-mile delivery network, allowing various shippers to bid on using over 18,000 Destination Delivery Units (DDUs). This initiative aims to increase revenue, enhance financial sustainability, and help retailers achieve faster deliveries. This move could reshape the logistics landscape but faces challenges related to the bidding process, service quality, and operational complexity. Successfully navigating these hurdles will be crucial for USPS to realize the full potential of this strategic shift and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving delivery market.

02/03/2026 Logistics
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US House Passes CORCA Act to Tackle Retail Crime

US House Passes CORCA Act to Tackle Retail Crime

The House Judiciary Committee passed the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 (CORCA), aiming to strengthen federal law enforcement, establish crime coordination centers, increase penalties for cargo theft, and enhance public-private partnerships. This legislation addresses the growing problem of organized cargo and retail theft, seeking to protect supply chain security and consumer interests. CORCA aims to provide better tools and resources to combat these crimes and deter future offenses by improving collaboration and increasing accountability for those involved in organized retail crime.

02/03/2026 Logistics
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North American Intermodal Rebounds in Q4 Amid Annual Challenges

North American Intermodal Rebounds in Q4 Amid Annual Challenges

The North American intermodal market saw year-over-year growth in Q4 2023, ending a nine-quarter decline, though full-year figures remained down. Inventory reduction, economic growth, and the resolution of West Coast labor contracts were key drivers of the Q4 increase. Intermodal is expected to continue growing in 2024 but faces challenges from trucking competition and global "X factors." The recovery suggests a positive trend in the freight market, potentially linked to broader economic recovery efforts, but sustained growth depends on navigating these external pressures.

China Adjusts Export Tax Rebates Affecting Solar Industry

China Adjusts Export Tax Rebates Affecting Solar Industry

The Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration announced adjustments to export tax rebate policies for certain products. Rebates for 59 products, including aluminum and copper materials, will be canceled. Tax rebate rates for 209 products, including photovoltaic and battery products, will be reduced to 9%, effective December 1, 2024. This policy change may increase costs for enterprises in the short term, but is expected to benefit industrial upgrading in the long term by encouraging innovation and higher value-added production within the affected sectors.

Joom Sellers Guide Optimizing Products for Sales and Compliance

Joom Sellers Guide Optimizing Products for Sales and Compliance

This paper delves into the importance of product attributes on the Joom platform. It details how to find the necessary attributes for a product, how to standardize the filling of attribute values, and how to add product attributes through dual channels. By following the guidance in this article, sellers can effectively increase product exposure, optimize the customer shopping experience, and ensure compliance with platform rules and regulations, ultimately achieving greater business success on the Joom platform. This leads to improved search rankings and customer satisfaction.