Weekly Freight Report: March 27, 2026

This week’s report arrives at a crossroads: truckload spot rates and volumes have surged to multi-year highs while diesel prices in California blow past $7 a gallon, squeezing carrier margins and threatening to push freight inflation into consumer prices. On the trade policy front, a landmark Supreme Court ruling has struck down IEEPA-based tariffs and triggered a major CBP refund process, even as the de minimis exemption ends permanently and new forced labor investigations add fresh compliance urgency for importers. Add in ongoing maritime disruptions rerouting Asian cargo through longer corridors at 40 percent higher transit times, and the picture for supply chain professionals this week is one of compounding pressure from every direction.

Dive into the full update to see what’s driving costs, disrupting capacity, and reshaping global trade lanes.

Truckload Volumes and Spot Rates Hit Multi-Year Highs

The National Truckload Index reached $2.82 per mile, with outbound tender rejections near 13 percent, the highest level since early 2022. New CDL regulations tightening driver supply are arriving at exactly the wrong moment, deepening a capacity crunch that shows no signs of reversing.

IEEPA Tariffs Struck Down: What It Means for Manufacturers and Distributors

The Supreme Court ruled in February 2026 that IEEPA does not authorize broad tariffs, and the Court of International Trade has since ordered CBP to issue refunds to virtually all importers who paid IEEPA-based duties, with interest accruing at roughly $650 million per month. Importers have a 180-day window to file protests, making this an immediate compliance action item for any company that paid these duties.

Trump 2.0 Tariff Tracker: March 24, 2026 Update

The most comprehensive running log of active, threatened, and expiring tariffs under the second Trump administration includes the Section 122 10 percent global tariff expiring July 24, 2026, the continued de minimis suspension, and new Section 301 forced labor investigations launched March 12. Required reading for any importer trying to plan around current and upcoming duty exposure.

San Diego Diesel Prices Blow Past $7: You Will Likely Feel the Effects Soon

California diesel averaged $7.07 per gallon on March 25, a 40 percent surge in one month driven by Iran-related crude oil disruption. Freight cost increases are expected to ripple through consumer prices nationwide, with fuel analysts calling it a warning, not just a milestone.

Maritime Disruptions and Treasury Yields Challenge Global Trade in 2026

Simultaneous Middle East route closures, rising 10-year Treasury yields, and shifting Asia-to-US trade patterns are layering compounding risk onto global supply chains. The timing is especially difficult as ocean carriers and shippers finalize annual contracts under maximum uncertainty.

De Minimis Is Dead: What Now for Cross-Border Traders?

The elimination of the $800 de minimis duty exemption is forcing importers, especially e-commerce and small-parcel shippers from China, to pay formal customs entry fees of $125 to $300 per shipment plus full applicable tariffs. The change permanently raises landed costs for businesses that relied on de minimis as a cost strategy.

European Parliament Gives Conditional Approval to EU-US Trade Deal

The EU Parliament voted to advance a trade framework that would set tariffs at 15% on most European goods entering the US — but with strings attached. Lawmakers added safeguards that could suspend the deal if the US imposes additional duties or fails to honor its commitments. All 27 member states still need to sign off before it takes effect.

Weekly Freight Report: March 27, 2026

Related Posts