Shipping Cost Internationally: Latest Rates, Tariffs & Trends

Joe McDevitt • August 15, 2025

Shipping Cost Internationally: 2025 Trends and Insights

Understanding international shipping costs:

International shipping costs change constantly, as the tariff situation is hyper fluid right now. Rates depend on trade policies, global demand, and transportation capacity. Currently in 2025, tariffs and freight market shifts are reshaping how businesses plan their logistics.


One important measure is the Freightos Baltic Index (FBX). This index tracks daily and weekly market prices for container shipping across major lanes. Shippers use it to benchmark costs and spot trends before booking freight.


The FBX includes ocean freight lanes like Asia–US, Asia–Europe, and Asia–Mediterranean. It also covers Freightos Air Index (FAX) for air cargo rates, helping importers and exporters understand both sea and air cost changes in real time.

Key points:

  • Freightos Baltic Index shows daily/weekly market rates
  • Tracks major ocean lanes like Asia–US, Asia–Europe, Asia–Med
  • Air Index covers China–US, China–Europe, and Europe–US
tariff changes and their impact to international shipping rates on global supply chains

Tariff Changes and Their Impact

Recent tariff updates are shaping shipping cost internationally. The US has extended its 30% tariff on all imports from China until November 10, giving ocean importers short-term stability. Reciprocal tariffs now affect many trading partners including the EU, Japan, and South Korea.


Tensions with India are adding uncertainty. The US introduced a 25% tariff on Indian exports and warned of an increase to 50% if no deal is reached by August 27. Export orders from India are already falling as shippers delay shipments.


Some trade lanes are benefiting. The US cut tariffs on European auto parts from 25% to 15%, which is driving more transatlantic container demand and raising spot rates along this lane.

Overcapacity keeps rates low despite seasonal factors:

Global Logistics Shipping Costs

Asia–US West Coast rates fell 10% to $2,119 per FEU. East Coast rates dropped 10% to $3,572 per FEU. Asia–N. Europe rates dipped 3% to $3,327 per FEU. Asia–Mediterranean prices fell 4% to $3,144 per FEU, marking eight straight weeks of declines.


The US National Retail Federation projects container imports peaked in July at 2.3 million TEU and will fall sharply by year-end. This suggests little upward pressure on ocean rates in late 2025, despite seasonal patterns that usually lift volumes in the second half.


Overcapacity is also keeping prices down. Even with Red Sea disruptions, rates remain far below last year. This reflects more vessel supply than cargo demand on many lanes.

Air cargo rates are also adjusting. China–N. America prices rose 11% to $5.16/kg. China–N. Europe rates slipped 1% to $3.68/kg. N. Europe–N. America rates increased 1% to $1.76/kg. The US–China tariff extension could cause a short burst of air cargo demand in late October and early November if no deal is reached. This would align with the normal peak season for air freight.


Capacity shifts are balancing the market. Airlines are moving aircraft to busier lanes while scaling back on slow routes, keeping overall rates stable even as demand shifts.

What is a pre-peak shipping surge?

A pre-peak shipping surge occurs when shippers move goods earlier than usual to avoid potential disruptions or higher costs. This rush often comes weeks before the normal high season for freight.  Businesses act early to secure space and better rates, which briefly pushes up demand and prices before the main seasonal peak.

  • Upcoming tariff changes (importers try to get goods in before duties increase)

    Upcoming tariff changes often trigger a wave of early shipments as importers race to bring goods in before higher duties take effect. Even a small tariff hike can add significant cost to large orders, so businesses push up their schedules to lock in current rates. This sudden influx of cargo can create temporary bottlenecks at ports and raise freight rates weeks before the official peak season begins.

  • Port congestion forecasts (avoiding long delays later in the season)

    Port congestion forecasts also drive early action. When analysts predict vessel backlogs or delays at major gateways, shippers often adjust schedules to get ahead of the slowdown. This was common during the pandemic recovery in 2021, when US West Coast ports faced weeks-long delays, prompting many importers to ship earlier in the year to avoid container pileups and missed delivery windows.

  • Strikes or labor disputes (shipping early to beat possible shutdowns)

    Strikes or labor disputes can create serious uncertainty for supply chains, especially when they involve dockworkers, truckers, or rail operators. If there’s a credible risk of a work stoppage, shippers often accelerate cargo movement to avoid being stuck with goods in transit during a shutdown.


    For example in 2024, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which represents around 45,000 dockworkers, pushed for a new contract with significantly higher wages and limitations on automation. As the existing agreement approached its September 30 expiration, the union announced intentions to strike starting October 1, 2024, unless a fair deal was reached. This included potential disruption at the Port of Baltimore among many others.


    Likewise in early 2015, for example, labor tensions at US West Coast ports led to slowdowns and delays that rippled across the entire supply chain, prompting many companies to bring forward shipments.

  • Capacity shortages (securing space before it gets booked up)

    Capacity shortages can spark a pre-peak rush when there are signs that space will be hard to secure later in the season. Airlines and ocean carriers typically reduce or shift capacity in response to market conditions, and if demand starts building, space can disappear quickly. Shippers that anticipate tight capacity often move early to guarantee their bookings and avoid paying premium spot rates when space becomes scarce.

History offers clear examples. In late 2018, US importers frontloaded massive volumes before new tariffs on Chinese goods took effect in January 2019. This led to record-high container imports in November and December, well before the typical holiday shipping slowdown. Similarly, ahead of the 2020 Lunar New Year, exporters from China shipped early to beat factory shutdowns, causing a short-lived spike in rates. These surges fade quickly, but they can still disrupt schedules, tighten capacity, and raise costs for anyone caught unprepared.

Shippers need to watch tariff deadlines and rate indexes closely. These factors can quickly change the cost of moving freight internationally. Businesses should plan shipments to avoid sudden tariff hikes or rate spikes. Combining both ocean and air data gives the clearest picture. Many importers will shift between modes depending on market changes, especially when urgent deliveries collide with rising tariffs.


By keeping an eye on trade policy news, companies can reduce risks and control costs more effectively.

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