China-US ocean freight rates hold steady as post-holiday space tightens

Published 3:20 pm Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Mid-October 2026 saw the global trading landscape focus heavily on technical compliance and long-term litigation management, reports Freight Right, a freight forwarder and licensed customs broker based in Los Angeles. U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched Phase 3 of its automated CAPE portal to process remaining back-duty refunds from struck-down tariffs, even as the U.S, Court of International Trade froze pending Section 122 importer lawsuits while appellate courts review executive authority. Concurrently, cross-border supply chains operating under Washington’s centralized trade architecture shifted attention to auto manufacturing, with industry leaders launching urgent campaigns in Detroit to avert a proposed 50% automotive tariff hike threatened for early 2027.

This Week’s Ocean, Air & Freight Markets

China-U.S. Ocean Freight Market:

China to U.S. ocean freight rates remain unchanged week over week as carriers extend first-half October pricing. However, space has become harder to secure following China’s National Day holiday, making booking lead times and schedule reliability more pressing concerns.

CEA to USWC: Standard market rates are hovering around $8,000/FEU. However, secondary volume discount rates are available at $6,900 to $7,000/FEU for multi-container commitments. Rates have remained unchanged relative to the first half of the month.

CEA to USEC: Rates continue to hold in the $9,000+/FEU range. Special blended rates for higher-volume bookings are holding near $8,450/FEU. As with the West Coast, rates have shown no net increase or decrease week-over-week.

Freight Right’s Lowest Rate indicators are finding that importers can find spot rates as low as $6,400 from China to U.S. West Coast and $8,129 from China to U.S. East Coast.

Read more about the state of the ocean freight spot market with Freight Right’s TrueFreight Index.

A Closer Look:

• Carriers continue to limit capacity. Vessel removals and service adjustments over recent months are keeping space tight. Limited availability does not necessarily indicate stronger overall demand. 
• Post-holiday backlogs are taking priority. Containers rolled before or during the holiday are filling available slots, leaving fewer opportunities for new bookings. 
• Blended rates keep selected offers below standard pricing. Partners combine standard-priced allocations with lower-priced volume allocations to offer a reduced average rate. 
• Schedule changes are adding costs and uncertainty. Departures and container receiving windows can shift by several days. Loaded containers may need temporary storage and additional trucking when terminals postpone acceptance. 
• U.S. drayage costs are increasing. The discussion reports tighter trucking capacity and higher fuel-related costs. Transloading and warehousing rates remain relatively stable, but delays can still increase total storage and handling charges.

Looking Ahead

Space constraints are expected to continue through the end of October as carriers clear holiday backlogs. Booking at least two weeks before the intended departure is increasingly necessary, though it does not guarantee space or prevent a rollover.

Rates could remain near current levels into November and December if carriers continue to control capacity, even without a substantial increase in demand. A further increase ahead of Chinese New Year is possible, but this week’s discussion does not confirm a new ocean rate increase.

For shippers, the immediate priority is building more time into shipment plans. Departure dates, terminal receiving windows, and transshipment connections remain subject to change. If a delay moves a container into a new pricing period, a future rate increase could also affect the final cost.

Paying the current market rate does not guarantee priority loading or an on-time departure. Confirm space, rate validity, and receiving dates before arranging container pickup, and allow additional time for shipments with firm delivery deadlines.

China-US Air Freight Market:

China to U.S. air freight rates rose sharply after the National Day holiday, reversing the usual seasonal pattern. Airlines typically offer lower prices during and immediately after the Oct. 1-7 break to fill space. This year, capacity remained tight during the holiday, and the market has seen two to three rounds of price increases since factories resumed work on Oct. 8.

CEA to USWC: Rates are trending higher, with further increases expected this week. The Week 41 sheet lists standard-density carton rates to LAX at approximately $5.85-$7.69 per kg, depending on origin and routing. Comparable SFO rates range from approximately $5.85-$6.77 per kg.

CEA to USEC: East Coast services face the same upward pressure. Standard-density carton rates to JFK range from approximately $6.88-$8 per kg, with direct Shanghai–JFK service at the upper end.

A Closer Look:

• Holiday flight cancellations reduced capacity. Airlines proactively canceled flights during National Day, keeping available cargo space tight despite the factory shutdown. 
• Higher fuel prices added cost pressure. Rising October fuel costs contributed to higher pricing on China-U.S. services. 
• High-tech shipments increased after the holiday. Chips and other technology products began shipping as factories resumed operations, adding demand to an already constrained market. 
• Repeated increases followed the factory restart. Since Oct. 8, the U.S. route has seen two to three rounds of rate increases, with further increases expected this week. 
• Year-end demand is approaching. Black Friday, Christmas, and other holiday shipments are expected to sustain demand through November and December.

Looking Ahead:

Based on this past week’s market report, upward rate pressure is expected to continue through the end of December. Reduced airline capacity, higher fuel costs, and growing technology shipments are coinciding with the traditional peak season for U.S.-bound exports.

Shippers should book early, confirm space alongside pricing, and budget for further increases. Direct and connecting services already show meaningful price differences, making routing flexibility useful where delivery schedules allow. Quotes should be reconfirmed before booking as airlines continue to adjust rates.

This story was produced by Freight Right and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.