Tariff Talk Thursday is Back!
Visit our Events page for details or register here.

The OCEANAIR Current

MARCH 20, 2025

The Weekly Current

Compliance

The word of the year for 2025 might just be derivatives—products made from other products. Importers previously unaffected by Section 232 tariffs are now getting a crash course in evaluating steel and aluminum content while scrambling to secure time-sensitive data from their suppliers. A wide range of goods—including machinery, certain fittings, connectors, semiconductor parts, and select furniture—are now subject to a 25% tariff based on their steel or aluminum content, while their plastic, rubber, and textile components remain exempt. As additional guidance is expected, importers should proactively maintain detailed packing lists and, when possible, test and inspection records to substantiate their reported data.

Ground

After nearly three years of decline, the U.S. trucking industry is showing signs of a gradual recovery in rates. However, economic headwinds are making the path forward increasingly difficult to navigate.

While truckload rates are rising year-over-year, the increase has been slower than many anticipated. Meanwhile, freight demand remains weak for both truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers.

Additionally, the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on businesses and consumers, along with renewed concerns about a possible recession, is adding further uncertainty to the freight market.

INDUSTRY UPDATES FOR YOUR WORLD

Stay connected with the latest from OCEANAIR. Sign up for our newsletter to receive The OCEANAIR Current, The Monthly Horizon, and OCEANAIR Tariff Talk — delivered straight to your inbox.