Trans-Pacific Ocean Freight Rates Ease Slightly but Remain Elevated
Spot ocean freight rates from Asia to the U.S. West Coast fell about 1% month over month to approximately $7,569 per FEU, but remained elevated overall.
What are the key facts?
- 1Asia–U.S. West Coast ocean freight rates fell about 1% month over month
- 2Asia–U.S. West Coast rates were about $7,569 per FEU
- 3Overall rates remained near previous highs
What happened?
Supply Chain Dive reported on September 9, 2026, citing weekly data from Freightos dated September 8, that trans-Pacific spot ocean freight rates from Asia to the U.S. West Coast fell about 1% month over month to approximately $7,569 per 40-foot equivalent unit (FEU). Although rates declined, they remained near the highs seen during the 2024 peak season and the periods affected by Red Sea disruptions and U.S. East Coast labor conflicts. Logistics costs for cross-border sellers have not returned to normal levels.\n\nThe change primarily affects Amazon, Walmart, eBay, TikTok Shop, and direct-to-consumer sellers replenishing U.S. inventory from production bases in China, Vietnam, Thailand, India, and other parts of Asia, especially sellers of low-priced, bulky, and low-margin products. Sellers relying on ocean freight should recalculate first-mile costs, fuel surcharges, port congestion fees, destination-port storage fees, and peak-season surcharges, and compare total landed costs across U.S. ports. Lower freight rates do not justify immediately building large inventories; inventory turnover and delivery timelines should remain priorities.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
Although Asia–U.S. West Coast rates fell slightly month over month, they remain elevated at about $7,569 per FEU, so first-mile and total landed-cost pressure has not eased materially. Sellers of low-priced, bulky, and low-margin products should not build inventory solely because rates declined; prioritize the impact of different ports, surcharges, and inventory turnover on profitability.
What should sellers do now?
- 1Re-enter ocean freight, fuel surcharges, port congestion fees, destination-port storage fees, and peak-season surcharges for core SKUs this week, then update per-unit landed costs and margin calculations.Profit calculator
- 2Review prices against current landed costs and calculate the break-even price for each SKU; pause increased replenishment for low-margin, bulky SKUs that cannot cover logistics costs.Breakeven calculator
- 3Split the next replenishment shipment into multiple batches and compare total landed costs through U.S. West Coast, East Coast, and Gulf Coast ports before confirming purchasing and shipping quantities.Procurement List