06 January 21  |  Customs Clearance , International Shipping

Shipments from China Delayed: Importing Just Got Harder

The effects of Covid-19 on supply chains are being felt now more than ever. Here is what you need to know about the current state of importing from China into the United States.

What to Expect

Supply chains around the world are feeling the impact of the pandemic. Navigating through the process of importing from China into the U.S. can be complex in the best of times. Include Covid-19, and it just got more complicated. With the ongoing changes, there are some variables that can be expected:

  • Significant increase in blank sailings, meaning previously scheduled departures from China are being canceled.
  • Guaranteed space allocation on vessels, which had been previously guaranteed by carriers, is no longer being honored.
  • Daily and weekly escalation of ocean freight costs determined by carriers.
  • Barge services from smaller ports to larger ports for departure from China have been suspended, which results in increased transit time.
  • Increased instances of containers being rolled, meaning the cargo is pulled from its scheduled vessel to be put on another.
  • Carriers are suspending widespread sailings and port calls on an ongoing basis.

So, what does this mean for you, the importer? You can expect significantly increased lead time for scheduling and securing space on cargo ships departing the Port of Shanghai, one of the largest ports in Asia. This will mean that your International shipping expert here at R+L Global Logistics will need up to 8 weeks’ notice to ensure your freight gets on a vessel.

The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are experiencing severe congestion, as well as delays in offloading ships onto rail or truck to the freight’s final destination. You should also expect the cost to ship freight from Asian ports to be significantly more than you are used to. Congestion, lack of space on vessels and blank sailings all contribute to this increase.

How to Prepare

It never hurts to be prepared, especially right now! We’ve put together a few tips on how to try and stay ahead during the current state of importing from China into the United States.

  1. Carefully track and anticipate inventory and replenishment needs for Q1 of 2021 and on
  2. Plan production schedules and product readiness well in advance
  3. Anticipate an increase in lead-times due to intra-Asia Intermodal demand, price increases, and delays due to congestion at destination ports
  4. To secure and sail shipments, book 6-8 weeks in advance of the required ship date

How R+L Global Logistics Can Help

We are here to assist you in navigating these challenges by optimizing your supply chain to determine the best, most efficient mode of transportation. We are prepared to pre-arrange intra-Asia transport to the port of origin, and manage the process of pre-booking shipments 6-8 weeks in advance to ensure your freight arrives at its destination safely and on time.

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to your R+L Account Executive at 877-510-9133. You can also chat with one of our experienced customer service representatives, using the Chat Bot in the corner below, to get the help you need now!