Freight Market Update: May 2025

Insights at a glance

These top insights cover hot topics like the potential impact of new trade agreements, the shifting tides of ocean and air cargo capacity, and the ever-fluctuating landscape of domestic trucking and intermodal options. Stay informed to make strategic decisions in today’s dynamic environment.

Declining consumer confidence signals economic uncertainty

Key freight service updates

C.H. Robinson North American truckload freight market update

North America Truckload

Dry van long-haul cost forecast falls to 4% y/y growth

C.H. Robinson less than truckload freight market update

North America LTL Shipping

Dimensioners: Smart tools to cut LTL costs and boost accuracy

C.H. Robinson ocean freight market update

Ocean Shipping

Trade concerns & carrier alliances cause ocean volatility

International Air Freight

Reciprocal tariffs cause uncertainty and demand shifts

Additional supply chain updates

Intermodal

Pressure on intermodal shipping: Uncertainty ahead

Intermodal

Pressure on intermodal shipping: Uncertainty ahead

Despite weather and tariff concerns, intermodal volumes remain robust. Will the next two months show a shift?

Drayage

Bonded warehouse or foreign trade zone?

Drayage

Bonded warehouse or foreign trade zone?

Facing tariffs? Compare bonded warehouses and foreign trade zones. Each has distinct benefits and limitations.

North American Cross Border

Mexico’s automotive production up 12.1%

C.H. Robinson cross border freight market update

North American Cross Border

Mexico’s automotive production up 12.1%

Explore the rapid growth in Mexico's auto industry and the challenges facing U.S.–Canada rail trade.

Customs

Certain products excluded from U.S. reciprocal tariffs

Customs

Certain products excluded from U.S. reciprocal tariffs

CBP excludes phones, computers, and chips from U.S. reciprocal tariffs. De minimis exemption for Chinese imports ended May 2, 2025.

Government & Regulations

What’s next for U.S. tariff negotiations?

C.H. Robinson government and regulations update

Government & Regulations

What’s next for U.S. tariff negotiations?

Uncover the implications of the latest U.S. tariff actions for various countries around the world.

Diesel Fuel

U.S. diesel prices hit year-low in April

Diesel Fuel

U.S. diesel prices hit year-low in April

U.S. average diesel price per gallon dropped to $3.57 in April, marking the lowest point year-to-date.

More resources

North American trade and tariffs insights

Strengthen your trade and customs compliance program and stay up to date on the latest trade and tariff news, resources, and insights from the experts.

View trade and tariff insights

Client advisories

Our global client advisories can help you pivot as you confront disruptions and uncover new opportunities for growth.

View the latest client advisories

**This information is compiled from a number of sources—including market data from public sources and data from C.H. Robinson—that to the best of our knowledge are accurate and correct. It is always the intent of our company to present accurate information. C.H. Robinson accepts no liability or responsibility for the information published herein.

To deliver our market updates to our global audiences in the timeliest manner possible, we rely on machine translations to translate these updates from English.

Freight Market Update: May 2025

Insights at a glance

Table of Contents

Industry insights

U.S. tariffs on auto parts have changed substantially

Navigating policy shifts & tariffs in the energy sector

Declining consumer confidence signals economic uncertainty

Table of Contents

Key freight service updates

Dry van long-haul cost forecast falls to 4% y/y growth

Dimensioners: Smart tools to cut LTL costs and boost accuracy

Trade concerns & carrier alliances cause ocean volatility

Reciprocal tariffs cause uncertainty and demand shifts

Table of Contents

Additional supply chain updates

Pressure on intermodal shipping: Uncertainty ahead

Pressure on intermodal shipping: Uncertainty ahead

Bonded warehouse or foreign trade zone?

Bonded warehouse or foreign trade zone?

Mexico’s automotive production up 12.1%

Mexico’s automotive production up 12.1%

Certain products excluded from U.S. reciprocal tariffs

Certain products excluded from U.S. reciprocal tariffs

What’s next for U.S. tariff negotiations?

What’s next for U.S. tariff negotiations?

U.S. diesel prices hit year-low in April

U.S. diesel prices hit year-low in April

Table of Contents

More resources

Table of Contents

North American trade and tariffs insights

Client advisories

Freight Market Update: May 2025

Insights at a glance

Table of Contents

Industry insights

U.S. tariffs on auto parts have changed substantially

Navigating policy shifts & tariffs in the energy sector

Declining consumer confidence signals economic uncertainty

Table of Contents

Key freight service updates

Dry van long-haul cost forecast falls to 4% y/y growth

Dimensioners: Smart tools to cut LTL costs and boost accuracy

Trade concerns & carrier alliances cause ocean volatility

Reciprocal tariffs cause uncertainty and demand shifts

Table of Contents

Additional supply chain updates

Pressure on intermodal shipping: Uncertainty ahead

Pressure on intermodal shipping: Uncertainty ahead

Bonded warehouse or foreign trade zone?

Bonded warehouse or foreign trade zone?

Mexico’s automotive production up 12.1%

Mexico’s automotive production up 12.1%

Certain products excluded from U.S. reciprocal tariffs

Certain products excluded from U.S. reciprocal tariffs

What’s next for U.S. tariff negotiations?

What’s next for U.S. tariff negotiations?

U.S. diesel prices hit year-low in April

U.S. diesel prices hit year-low in April

Table of Contents

More resources

Table of Contents

North American trade and tariffs insights

Client advisories

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