The removal of the US de minimis exemption has led to a shift in global air cargo trade lanes, with manufacturers adopting a US-plus-one strategy to diversify production and consumption markets, reported New York’s Journal of Commerce. Glyn Hughes, Director-General of The International Air Cargo Association (Tiaca), said carriers responded swiftly to changing demand by redeploying capacity. He noted the shift mirrors the earlier “China-plus one” model aimed at reducing supply chain risks. The exemption removal on May 2, 2025 affected Chinese imports under US$800, reducing transpacific e-commerce demand. Freighters previously serving this route were redirected to Europe, where platforms like Temu and Shein shifted their billion-dollar advertising budgets.
Xeneta reported that global air cargo spot rates fell 4% year-on-year in September to US$2.54/kg. Shanghai-Europe rates held steady at US$4.20/kg, while Shanghai-Chicago rates dropped 9% to US$5.10/kg, as per a report.