A surge in trans-Pacific shipping demand is unfolding as U.S. buyers rush to stock up on Chinese goods in response to recent shifts in China-U.S. tariff policies. The trade spike has turned ports like Shenzhen’s Yantian into hotbeds of activity.

According to CCTV Finance, Yantian Port—responsible for over a quarter of China’s exports to the U.S.—is seeing record volumes. Mr. Chen, Duty Manager at Yantian International Container Terminals, noted a significant increase in gate-in volumes. Traditionally peaking from July to September, this year’s shipping season has kicked off early, peaking in June and July. In response, Yantian has optimized its yard layout, added equipment, and increased resource inputs.

Nearby consolidation warehouses are also overwhelmed. One site has seen inbound container volume rise over 60%, from around 120 to over 200 containers. To maintain throughput, managers are closely monitoring flow and adjusting plans daily to boost efficiency.

Freight forwarders are also feeling the heat. “Booking space now is more intense than getting Spring Festival train tickets,” said one agent, describing the rush for U.S.-bound shipping slots. A company representative revealed that demand was already steady even before the tariff shifts, with some U.S. retailers absorbing costs to keep Chinese shipments flowing.

Cross-border e-commerce warehouses are also scaling up. One manager reported daily shipments spiking from 50 to 70 containers. Flexibility—developed over years of navigating industry disruptions—is proving key to handling the current boom.

Rising demand is pushing ocean freight rates higher. A South China-based North America trade lane manager noted rate hikes every two weeks. Some carriers have announced rate increases of up to $3,000 per 40-foot container from Asia to the U.S.

Industry experts attribute the spike to a confluence of factors: urgent order fulfillment before tariffs escalate, limited shipping capacity (with vessels previously redeployed to Europe and Latin America), and a time lag in capacity adjustments.

Additionally, the volume of seasonal goods heading to the U.S. has surged. American retailers are prepping early for year-end holidays, accelerating their inventory buildup. This 90-day window has triggered a wave of urgent shipments from Chinese exporters, fueling freight demand and driving prices even higher.