All articles tagged with #international shipping
UPS is experiencing delays and issues with international shipments to the US due to new import rules, increased customs requirements, and higher tariffs, leading to package hold-ups, unexpected fees, and some packages being marked for disposal, affecting customers and prompting some to switch carriers.
Many countries have suspended or limited postal services to the US due to new tariffs introduced after the removal of the de minimis exemption by the Trump administration, which previously allowed packages under $800 to be shipped duty-free. This change has increased shipping costs and caused disruptions in international mail services, with services suspended indefinitely until new systems are developed to handle the tariffs.
European postal services are suspending shipments to the U.S. due to the expiration of the de minimis exemption, which allowed duty-free imports under $800, amid confusion over new tariffs and customs procedures, impacting billions of packages and prompting a halt in deliveries across multiple countries.
President Trump signed an executive order ending the de minimis exemption for packages under $800 shipped into the US, effective August 29, which will now impose duties on low-value international shipments, citing security and safety concerns.
The Philippines has enacted the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act to clarify maritime routes, a move that has drawn criticism from China amid ongoing disputes in the South China Sea. These laws are expected to cause "stresses" for international shipping as vessels will need to adjust to the newly defined sea lanes. Philippine coastguard officials emphasize that the laws are not intended to expand territory but acknowledge the challenges they may pose to global shipping routes.
A ballistic missile attack launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen struck and killed crewmembers of the Barbados-flagged vessel M/V True Confidence transiting the Gulf of Aden, resulting in three fatalities, at least four injuries, and significant damage to the ship. The attack, which is the fifth in two days, has prompted international condemnation and calls for increased protection of seafarers in the region, with the International Transport Workers’ Federation urging the industry to divert ships around the Cape of Good Hope until safe transit through the Red Sea can be guaranteed.
US forces conducted strikes against anti-ship cruise missiles and a drone in the Red Sea, aiming to protect merchant vessels and US Navy ships from imminent threats. The ongoing assaults by Houthi militants in the region have caused delays and added fees for commercial ships, prompting the US to build an international coalition to protect international shipping from Houthi attacks. The Houthis insist their attacks will continue until Israel stops its combat operations in the Gaza Strip, which have gained international recognition.
Yemen's Houthi rebels have issued a ban on vessels linked to Israel, the US, and the UK from sailing in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea, disrupting international trade and prompting US and British forces to launch air raids on Yemen. The rebels have also announced the use of "submarine weapons" and pledged to continue their attacks in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, despite counterattacks by US and British forces. The Houthi attacks have led to shipping companies redirecting vessels and the US conducting "self-defence" raids, while the European Union has launched a naval mission to protect Red Sea shipping from the rebels.
Despite a month of US-led airstrikes, Yemen's Houthi rebels continue to launch significant attacks, damaging a ship in the Red Sea and apparently downing a US drone. The attacks on shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait pose challenges in stopping guerrilla-style assaults, boosting the rebels' standing in the Arab world. The US military has lost at least four drones to shootdowns by the rebels since 2014, and the rebels have targeted multiple ships in the Red Sea, imperiling international shipping. The asymmetrical battle at sea has led the US to destroy numerous missiles and drones, but the continued attacks could force the US to intensify and widen its counterattacks in the region.
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group claimed responsibility for firing missiles at a British oil tanker in the Red Sea, prompting warnings from the US and UK. The group has been targeting Western interests in response to Israel's actions in Gaza, and the US has conducted airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. The UK has called on China to use its influence on Iran to pressure the Houthis to cease their attacks. The US has also launched attacks on Houthi positions, citing self-defence and the protection of international waters.
A Panamanian-flagged oil tanker, M/T Pollux, bound for India, was struck by a missile in the Red Sea, reportedly launched from Yemen by Houthi rebels. The vessel sustained minor damage, and the crew is safe. The attack has raised concerns about disruptions to global commerce and increased fears of inflation, as well as potential escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas affecting maritime security in the region.
A Russian oil tanker, the NS Leader, abruptly changed course off the coast of Portugal after being hit with US sanctions, indicating the impact of the measures. The tanker, ultimately owned by the Russian Federation, was originally bound for a Baltic Sea port but altered its destination to "for orders" following the sanctions. This move echoes a similar maneuver by another sanctioned tanker, the Viktor Bakaev, which is now anchored in the Black Sea. The US Treasury also sanctioned several companies associated with the NS Leader, asserting that the Russian Federation is its ultimate owner.
The Houthis attempted to launch an attack on a US-owned container ship, but the US military intercepted and destroyed the anti-ship missiles before they could be launched. The US has shifted tactics to conduct preemptive strikes against Houthi threats, aiming to make international waters off the coast of Yemen safer for shipping. The US and British forces have carried out joint strikes targeting Houthi sites and facilities across Yemen, destroying or degrading multiple missile launch and deployment facilities, as well as other capabilities. The Pentagon remains focused on addressing imminent threats and ensuring the safety of the Red Sea for international shipping.
The US military has shifted tactics in response to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping, conducting preemptive strikes against the rebels' anti-ship missiles. This change has resulted in the destruction or degradation of numerous Houthi missile launch and deployment facilities, as well as other capabilities. Despite these efforts, the Houthi rebels continue to attempt launching attacks, prompting ongoing joint strikes by American and British forces. The goal of the US military is to ensure the safety and security of international shipping and mariners in the Red Sea.
Ongoing missile, drone, and hijacking attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted international trade, leading to increased costs for shippers worldwide. The attacks by Houthi militants have prompted ships to avoid the Red Sea, causing significant diversions in trade routes and delays in shipping. This has led to higher shipping costs, production suspensions at European plants, and potential inflation risks. The disruptions are expected to persist for months, impacting global supply chains and highlighting vulnerabilities in the international trade system.