YIDA
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Logistics Info
01
Shipping Countdown! US Postal Service Announces Pre-Christmas Cutoff Dates
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has released its 2025 holiday service schedule. Key services will gradually cease from 17th December: Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail cutoff is 17th December, Priority Mail cutoff is 18th December, and Domestic Priority Express cutoff is no later than 20th December. For remote regions including Alaska and Hawaii, Ground service deadlines advance to 16th December. Post offices will close on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Concurrently, USPS has issued winter weather delay warnings for 13 states across the Midwest and Northeast. With the holiday shipping surge coinciding with adverse weather, clear deadlines are crucial for maintaining supply chain continuity. Shippers are advised to plan ahead and strictly adhere to schedules to avoid delays.
02
New Year price hike! UPS and FedEx simultaneously raise fuel surcharges
Logistics cost pressures persist into 2025. FedEx has this week increased fuel surcharges for multiple domestic US services, while UPS announced similar adjustments for ground and air freight effective 5 January, representing approximate increases of 1.5% and 1% respectively. This move will directly inflate logistics operational costs for e-commerce platforms and enterprises. Fuel surcharges have become a fluctuating fixed cost, further squeezing corporate profits. Relevant businesses are advised to incorporate this into long-term cost models and mitigate pressure through strategies such as optimising packaging and consolidating shipments, thereby preparing comprehensive logistics budgets for the year.
03
Alert! Multiple Strikes in Italy This December to Severely Disrupt Logistics
Italy's transport and logistics systems will endure multiple strike waves throughout December 2025. The most extensive disruption is anticipated on the 12th, when the CGIL union initiates a nationwide general strike. Additionally, Rome's public transport, aviation, and logistics sectors will stage separate strikes (commencing 22 December for 72 hours), potentially causing severe traffic congestion, flight cancellations, and freight delays. With supply chains already fragile at year-end, such concentrated strikes pose major operational risks. Major logistics firms have issued advance warnings, advising shippers and passengers with Italy-related operations to closely monitor developments and pre-emptively establish contingency transport routes and buffer stock plans to mitigate delay risks.
04
Freight Rates Surge! CMA CGM Announces Significant December Hike for Asia-Europe Routes
Global shipping giant CMA CGM has announced increases to its FAK rates on routes from Asia to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, effective from 15 December (date of loading). The Asia-Northern Europe route sees particularly notable increases, with 20ft containers rising to $1,950 and 40ft high cube/refrigerated containers reaching $3,500. Certain North Africa routes will see rates climb as high as $7,500 per 40-foot container. Carriers typically adjust freight rates towards the end of peak season to stabilise revenue. This substantial hike will directly increase shipping costs for Asian exporters and test market resilience. Shippers are advised to promptly recalculate costs based on the new rates and proactively negotiate to secure pre-year-end space.
E-commerce Info
Surge in Orders! Russian New Year Decor Sales Soar 18-Fold, with Significant Regional Preferences
Russia's e-commerce market has witnessed explosive growth in demand for New Year decorations. Aggregate data reveals snowflake ornaments sales surged 18-fold year-on-year, metallic tinsel decorations increased 14-fold, and artificial Christmas tree sales rose sixfold. Concurrently, neighbouring markets covered by Russian platforms exhibit distinct consumer preferences: Armenian shoppers favour apparel and lighting decorations, with sales rising eightfold; Kyrgyzstan sees strong demand for electric massagers and confectionery; Kazakhstan shows robust interest in pyjamas, home bathrobes, and serums; while Belarus prioritises cream gift sets and building block toys. With pronounced regional consumption characteristics, the platform has advised sellers to stock accordingly. This reflects segmented demand within Eastern European and Central Asian markets despite a unified festive cycle. Relevant export sellers should delve into regional data, adopt differentiated product selection and marketing strategies to precisely capture the immense business opportunities of the New Year shopping season.
Thailand Significantly Tightens Rules of Origin for US Exports, Supply Chains Face Restructuring
To consolidate its share of exports to the United States, Thailand has introduced exceptionally stringent new rules of origin certification. Key provisions include: products exported to the US must meet a minimum 40% local value-added requirement in Thailand; higher standards apply to key categories such as textiles and electronics; and the scope of regulated products has been substantially expanded. From 1 December, the authority to issue certificates of origin will be exclusively vested in government agencies. The new regulations introduce robust verification measures including blockchain traceability, factory audits, and substantial fines. Existing certificates held by enterprises remain valid only until March 2026. This move constitutes a chain reaction triggered by the US's adjustment to its origin rules. Relevant exporting enterprises must immediately initiate supply chain audits and restructuring, assess localisation ratios, and recognise that traditional simple processing and transshipment models will become unsustainable. The timeframe for compliance is extremely tight.
EU to Crack Down on Low-Cost Asian E-commerce Imports in 2026
The European Union has announced new regulations to be implemented in 2026, targeting the strict control of low-cost, potentially hazardous goods imported via Asian e-commerce platforms. Key provisions include abolishing duty exemptions for parcels under €150, tightening VAT collection, and requiring non-EU e-commerce platforms to establish legal representatives within the bloc. This follows EU inspections revealing, for instance, that 97% of cosmetics from one Chinese platform contained hazardous substances, with such low-value parcels reaching 4.6 billion annual entries. The regulations seek unified enforcement by plugging tax loopholes and strengthening platform accountability to protect consumers and markets. The era of cross-border e-commerce's ‘low-cost direct mail’ advantage is drawing to a close. Sellers and platforms must immediately commence product compliance reviews and establish EU-based responsible entities to prepare for the impending comprehensive regulatory framework.
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