The price of maritime freight boosted by the imminence of Donald Trump’s customs taxes

The average shipping container price stood at $3,986 as of January 9, a level 62% below the September 2021 peak, but still 181% above 2019 levels, according to the Drewry index. Above all, the figures show an increase in prices concentrated between Asia and the United States, which will introduce new customs barriers.

Just like customs figures, container prices reflect an increase in flows between the United States and its suppliers, at a time when American importers are trying to acquire as many goods as possible before the introduction of taxes wanted by Donald Trump. The phenomenon was also reinforced by the fear of strikes in American ports, which were ultimately avoided.

Thus, the price of the container increased in the space of one week by 13% between Shanghai and Los Angeles, to 4,476 euros. Likewise, the container between Shanghai and New York increased by 10% to 7,085 euros. These two journeys therefore display prices respectively 95% and 70% higher than those of a year ago. Europe is not immune to the phenomenon, with an increase of 78% over one year for a container between Rotterdam and New York, at $1,698.

In contrast, traffic between Asia and Europe does not suffer from the recent increase in prices, even if they remain high. Between Shanghai and Rotterdam, you currently have to pay 4,375 euros for a container. That’s a drop of 8% over one week, and 1% over a year. Likewise, the price between Shanghai and Genoa has fallen by 4% over the last few days, with 5,210 euros. The same price as a year ago.

The fact remains that freight specialists expect to see the curves transform very quickly when the customs tariffs desired by the new Trump administration become clearer. A measure that is feared by American fashion retailers and brands, but also by their Asian and European suppliers (read our dedicated article). But also by European distributors, who fear seeing Chinese productions being redirected from the New World to the Old Continent.