Airfreight capacity between China and the U.S. remains tight as importers accelerate shipments ahead of a proposed additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports set to take effect on November 1. The announcement has intensified demand for services from China to the U.S., particularly in North China, where space is already limited. This urgency is keeping rates elevated and continuing the pressure on available capacity.
As reported by Air Cargo News technology and e-commerce companies are absorbing a substantial share of airfreight space. Air Cargo news cited Flexport noting that the heightened demand will likely persist until either additional capacity becomes available or shipment volumes decrease. In South China, capacity has largely normalized following Golden Week; however, e-commerce volumes remain strong and continue to influence overall availability.
In parallel, developments in ocean freight are contributing to modal shifts. China has begun enforcing reciprocal port charges on U.S.-flagged vessels, mirroring fees previously imposed by the United States on Chinese-linked ships. These new charges are prompting some shippers to divert cargo to airfreight, adding further strain to an already tight market.
The end of the de minimis exemption in May has led to a noticeable decline in e-commerce volumes from China to the U.S., while shipments to Europe have increased. Additionally, U.S. tariffs are accelerating the search for alternative sourcing markets, with countries such as Taiwan and Vietnam seeing a rise in export activity.
According to WorldACD’s Air Cargo Trends 2025 report, released on October 13, air cargo tonnage from Hong Kong and China to Europe had bounced back strongly from the effects of ‘super-typhoon Ragasa’ in late September. The report noted, “The patterns from China and Hong Kong to the USA were less clear, as has been the case for several months,” and that the decline in tonnage was a reflection of “the effects of the removal by the USA of ‘de minimis’ exemptions on low-value imports.”
Source: Air Cargo News, WorldACD