Asia-US Container Rates Surge as Peak Season and Tariffs Drive Demand

ICIS, Freightos, Drewry · Jul 04, 2026 00:00

Container shipping rates from East Asia and China to the US continue to surge, driven by an early peak season and importers frontloading shipments ahead of potential tariffs. Spot rates to the US West Coast rose 8% this week to $6,236/FEU, nearly three-and-a-half times higher than in late February. Carriers are implementing General Rate Increases (GRIs) and Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) for July.