The air freight market between China and the United States is off to a challenging start in 2025. With fluctuating rates, geopolitical tensions, and new U.S. trade regulations, importers are facing increased uncertainty. Expeditors, a leading U.S. freight forwarder, reports that the market remains unpredictable, requiring careful planning for shipments to mitigate risks.
📉 Decline in Air Cargo Volumes from China, But Less Severe Than 2024
According to WorldACD, air freight shipments from China and Hong Kong dropped 45% during the Lunar New Year period. While this decline is significant, it is less severe than last year, when volumes fell by 66% during the same period.
Several factors contribute to this relative stability:
- E-commerce demand remains strong, helping to sustain shipment volumes.
- Better supply chain adjustments, as businesses anticipate seasonal slowdowns.
- Uncertain impact of new U.S. trade regulations on Chinese imports, with businesses still adapting to changes.
🔍 New U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Goods Did Not Trigger a Pre-Shipment Surge
The recent increase in U.S. tariffs on Chinese products and the temporary removal and reinstatement of duty-free exemptions on small parcels were expected to cause a surge in shipments to the U.S. before these regulations took effect. However, no significant spike in air freight to the U.S. has been recorded.
📊 Key Observations:
- No unusual volume increase from China to the U.S. ahead of the new tariffs.
- China-Europe trade flows remain stable, with no major disruptions.
- Market adjustments to regulatory changes may be gradual, with effects still unfolding.
WorldACD analysts suggest that various market forces may be offsetting each other, explaining the lack of immediate volume fluctuations.
📦 U.S.-China Air Freight Rates: Rising or Falling?
Air freight rates show mixed trends:
📌 Hong Kong – Europe: $4.95/kg, stable compared to last week.
📌 Asia – U.S.: $4.81/kg, up 4%.
📌 China – U.S.: $3.74/kg, down 6%.
Additionally, several e-commerce cargo flights have been canceled in recent weeks, and transpacific flights remain 13% below pre-disruption levels.
🚀 How to Secure Your U.S. Air Freight Shipments in 2025?
With the market in flux, importers must adopt flexible strategies to optimize costs and ensure reliable logistics.
✅ Monitor rate trends: Anticipate price fluctuations to take advantage of lower rates.
✅ Diversify shipping routes and transport modes: Combining air and sea freight can help reduce risks.
✅ Plan shipments with flexibility: Adjusting schedules in response to market trends and regulatory changes can prevent unexpected costs.
📦 Looking for a reliable logistics solution for U.S.-China shipments? HAI International Holding offers optimized freight services with competitive rates.
🔎 Stay updated on air freight and international trade trends with HAI International Holding News.
