US Logistics Update [Sep 12, 2026]-English

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics announced on the 11th that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August rose 3.4% year-over-year. The month-over-month increase was 0.4%, marking a larger rise compared to July (0.1%). The core CPI, excluding energy and food, rose 2.4% year-over-year and 0.3% month-over-month. This price increase was primarily driven by the energy sector; the August energy index surged 2.1% month-over-month and 16.3% year-over-year. In particular, gasoline prices rose 3.9% month-over-month, accounting for more than one-third of the overall monthly CPI increase, and were up 27.4% year-over-year. Housing costs rose 0.3% month-over-month and 3.0% year-over-year. In addition, airfare (2.7%), telecommunications (2.3%), used cars and trucks (0.4%), and new cars (0.3%) all showed month-over-month increases; airfare, in particular, rose by as much as 23.4% year-over-year. Meanwhile, the U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) for August, released the day before, rose 5.4% year-over-year and 0.4% month-over-month, while the core PPI rose 0.3% month-over-month and 4.7% year-over-year. As this CPI report is the last major inflation reading released ahead of the Fed’s FOMC meeting next week—and given that inflation is declining at a slow pace and core inflation exceeded expectations—financial markets are increasingly anticipating that the Fed may maintain a hawkish stance or even implement additional interest rate hikes. 

These latest inflation figures are expected to serve as a major test for Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Wash. With inflation showing little sign of abating, some observers point out that Chair Wash—who has long warned about inflation—risks losing market confidence if he fails to take concrete action at this FOMC meeting. CNBC, a U.S. business news outlet, reported, “With inflation figures coming in higher than expected, next week’s FOMC meeting is expected to be a major test for Chair Wash,” adding, “Chair Wash now stands at a crossroads: he must choose whether to raise interest rates or risk appearing unable to properly control the central bank he leads.”

China’s trade surplus is projected to reach a new record high again this year. China recorded an annual trade surplus of $1.2 trillion last year, setting an all-time high. According to Chinese statistics authorities, the trade surplus in August was $119.1 billion, a 6% increase from the previous month; if this trend continues, this year’s trade surplus is expected to exceed last year’s record high. Analysts attribute this trend to a slowdown in import growth due to weak domestic demand in China, coupled with steady growth in exports of high-tech manufacturing products such as electric vehicles, batteries, and semiconductors. The United States views China’s export growth as a potential factor in exacerbating global trade imbalances and is closely monitoring related developments; attention is also focused on whether tariffs and trade regulations will be tightened in the future. China’s expanding trade surplus is expected to have a significant impact on global supply chains and the logistics market.

North American Vessel Dwell Times 

Delays at Major Chinese Ports Expected to Continue Through October Due to Consecutive Typhoons

Major Chinese ports, including Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, and Yantian, are experiencing berthing delays of up to two weeks due to four consecutive typhoons that struck during the summer, and shipping market analytics firm Xeneta has announced that this impact is expected to continue through October. Xeneta explained that because these typhoons struck in rapid succession—at intervals of two weeks or less—the ports did not have time to recover, resulting in cumulative delays that expanded in a “cascading” manner. Average berthing delays peaked at 7.6 days immediately after the last typhoon, Saudel, passed through Shanghai in late August. From July 6 to August 24, a total of 5.79 million TEUs of cargo arrived more than seven days late—three times the volume seen before the typhoons—and 1.18 million TEUs are currently still experiencing berthing delays. Schedule reliability has also deteriorated significantly: the on-time rate for the Asia–Europe route plummeted to 10%, with average delays doubling to 7 days compared to previous levels; the Asia–North America route also saw its on-time rate drop to 23% and average delays double to 5 days. Xeneta forecasts that the surge in export volumes beginning in mid-September—ahead of the Golden Week holiday—will place additional pressure on a network that has not yet recovered. The firm analyzes that, with production and gate operations suspended for more than 10 days due to China’s Golden Week holiday, container backlogs are highly likely to persist through October.

U.S. Import Industry: “September Will Be the Busiest Month of the Year”… Peak Season Extended Due to Combined Impact of Typhoons and Panama Canal Restrictions

The U.S. retail industry forecasts that this year’s import peak season will extend through September, as a volume of cargo exceeding previous expectations is flooding into U.S. ports due to a combination of shipping delays caused by typhoons in China and navigation restrictions at the Panama Canal. According to the Global Port Tracker (GPT), published by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, U.S. imports in September are projected to reach 2.31 million TEU, surpassing July’s 2.3 million TEU—the highest figure so far this year. The NRF explained, “We thought the peak season was already over, but in reality, it has been extended.” It noted that while consumer demand remains robust despite tariffs, inflation, and high oil prices, import volumes are now集中ing later than expected due to shipping schedule delays caused by a series of typhoons that recently hit major Chinese ports, as well as some ships having to take detours due to depth restrictions at the Panama Canal. U.S. imports from Asia reached 1.74 million TEU in July, while imports from China hit 946,320 TEU—both setting new highs for the year. The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) also noted, “Although some year-end shipments have already been brought forward, not all shipments have arrived yet,” forecasting that strong import momentum will continue through the fall.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Moves to Significantly Tighten Import Regulations… Expands Requirements for Submission of Overseas Customs Documents and Supply Chain Information

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released a draft proposal to strengthen import regulations in order to implement the Trump administration’s executive order on “Strengthening Tariff Enforcement” and has begun the process of soliciting industry feedback. These regulations focus on expanding the requirement to submit overseas customs clearance documents and strengthening the disclosure of supply chain information for imported goods. CBP has proposed measures requiring U.S. importers to submit or retain documents prepared overseas, such as export declarations, invoices, packing lists, and bills of lading submitted to foreign customs authorities. CBP is also seeking industry input on whether these documents should be submitted on a regular basis, on a random basis, or retained solely for audits. Furthermore, CBP noted that the manufacturer information on existing import declarations is insufficient for enforcement purposes and stated that it is reviewing measures to expand the disclosure of upstream supply chain information, such as the actual producer and raw materials. In particular, CBP requested feedback on whether the technologies and procedures used by CTPAT-certified companies could be applied to other businesses. CBP will accept industry comments on this proposed rule until December 1 and plans to incorporate them into the process of finalizing the regulation.

DHL Launches “Heavy Weight Express,” an International Express Service for Shipments Up to 6,600 Pounds

DHL Express announced the launch of “Heavy Weight Express (HWX),” a new international express service designed to transport shipments weighing up to 6,600 pounds at express speeds for U.S. businesses. HWX allows individual shipments of up to 2,200 pounds and was introduced to transport large and heavy cargo—which was previously difficult to handle via standard express services—as express shipments. The company explained that it handles the entire process, from pickup to customs clearance and final delivery, using its own fleet of aircraft, hubs, customs clearance facilities, and delivery network. DHL is effectively the first company to handle 3-metric-ton shipments door-to-door via its Express network.