Foreign Trade

Retailers advance China orders ahead of tariff hikes and holiday season

U.S. retailers have accelerated orders from China by four-to-six weeks to secure inventories for Black Friday and Christmas sales before expected tariff increases, shipping executives said. A universal 10% tariff expires July 24 and is expected to be replaced with higher levies, including a proposed 12.5% rate. The frontloading contributed to 35% growth in U.S. imports from China in May, with shipping rates from Shanghai to New York reaching $7,149 per 40-foot container on June 25.