Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of WERC.
In 2025, escalating trade tensions and unpredictable tariff policies have thrown international logistics into disarray. For households relocating overseas, this global turbulence has created an environment marked by rising costs, erratic sailing schedules, and container shortages. The ripple effects are being felt not just by corporations and supply chains but by individuals and families trying to move their lives across borders.
Global Tariff Landscape
The latest wave of tariffs has created a volatile and uncertain global trade environment.
In early 2025, the U.S. raised tariffs on global imports to levels as high as 145%, hitting everyday items like furniture, electronics, and household goods. A temporary 90-day pause in April brought the average tariff rate down to around 21%, but questions remain about whether those tariffs will return—or increase. Retaliatory duties from other countries only complicate matters.
Trade analysts warn that the pause may precede a sharp spike in container traffic, potentially increasing congestion and straining already fragile global supply chains.
Effects on Shipping Lines and Container Availability
Tariff disruptions are cascading through global shipping operations in multiple ways:
- Booking cancellations and blank sailings: Shipping lines have seen 30%-50% cancellations of U.S. container bookings, especially those transiting to and from China, and major carriers like Hapag Lloyd and TS Lines suspended services due to plunging demand. This has triggered widespread blank sailings—vessels canceled despite being scheduled—affecting around 10% of Trans-Pacific sailings alone in April and May.
- Underutilization and rate volatility: Partially filled vessels and unpredictable demand patterns have driven freight rate swings. Some lanes saw fluctuations of 40% or more within days. Many vessels operate under capacity, creating inefficiencies and exacerbating rate volatility.
- Container shortages and rising costs: With blank sailings and canceled bookings, containers are not returning to origin ports on schedule. This has led to regional imbalances, fueling container shortages in the U.S., and has led to surging leasing or purchase costs, particularly for used dry container stock utilized for household goods shipping.
Impacts on Household Goods Shipping Process
For individuals and families relocating internationally, these disruptions are causing real logistical challenges:
- Planning and booking hassles: For household moves, where timing and pre-planning are critical, the shipping lines’ unpredictability makes it difficult to lock in reliable sailing dates. Carriers may drop calls or reroute last-minute, which disrupts schedules for forwarders and moving companies.
- Price fluctuations and hidden surcharges: Quotations are fluctuating. Surcharges are being added after quoting, reflecting sudden operational cost hikes or vessel alterations.
- Delays, port congestion and rerouting: Rerouting to circumvent tariffs or congestion has extended transit times. European ports like Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg are experiencing their worst delays since COVID, which can cause a trickle-down effect, delaying inland trucking and rail. Similarly, carriers are still avoiding the Suez Canal due to conflicts in the Red Sea, further extending transit via alternative routes. For household goods shipments, this creates uncertainty around pickup dates, port release, and final delivery—often stretching transit windows by weeks, which can be frustrating for individuals and families shipping their belongings.
What Movers and Consumers Can Do
Despite the uncertainty, there are proactive steps you can take to mitigate disruption.
- Book as early as possible to secure scarce space now. Many logistics firms advise booking well ahead of moving dates to lock in slots and price levels.
- Build flexibility into your schedule and contracts, allowing for rerouting or vessel changes without massive penalties.
- Consider staggered shipments or contingency logistics, such as partial air freight or storage arrangements, particularly if timing is critical.
- Keep abreast of tariff changes and blank sailing notices to adapt plans quickly.
- Find a good shipping partner that will keep you informed and help you navigate the shipping process.
Staying Resilient
Volatile tariff policies have introduced sharp uncertainty into container shipping, prompting massive booking cancellations, blank sailings, soaring freight rates, and container shortages. Household goods relocations are especially vulnerable: scheduling is disrupted, costs are unpredictable, and transit times may stretch well beyond expected windows.
If tariffs stabilize or negotiation resolves current measures, these disruptions may ease. But until then, shipping lines are operating with greater turbulence, and moving companies and consumers will need to be proactive, flexible, and risk-aware to navigate this shifting environment.