The August Logistics Managers' Index (LMI) landed at 66.6, down 2.2 points from July and 4.4 points off June's four-year peak of 71.1. On paper, that's a cooling. But the real story in this month's report is that cooling activity isn't translating into cooling costs. Capacity is loosening in both warehousing and transportation, yet prices in both categories are still climbing — in transportation's case, at a rate that's historically rare. Costs Are Rising No Matter What the U

The latest ISM Manufacturing PMI report shows the sector expanded for a ninth straight month in September, registering 54.5% — just a tenth of a point below August. On the surface, that reads as "steady as it goes." Underneath, the report tells a more complicated story: new orders and employment both accelerated, but input prices jumped sharply, and the commodities list reads like a freight cost forecast in miniature. 54.5% -Manufacturing PMI (9th month of growth) 77.9%- Pric

The U.S. trucking industry has entered a driver shortage for the first time in four years. Unlike prior shortage cycles, which were typically attributed to driver demographics, turnover, or a sudden demand spike, this one is primarily regulatory in origin — and that distinction matters for how shippers should respond to it. Background: What Changed In recent months, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has tightened eligibility requirements for non-domicile

Old Dominion Freight Line announced this week a general rate increase of 4.9% across various tariff codes, effective October 5. What stands out isn't the size of the increase so much as the timing: this is the second year in a row that Old Dominion has moved its GRI up by a month, continuing a pattern of pulling rate hikes earlier into the fall shipping season. Why the Earlier Timing Matters GRIs are a routine part of the LTL playbook — carriers use them to adjust base rates

FedEx has introduced a new premium delivery option, FedEx Authenticated Delivery, aimed at cutting down on theft, fraud, and misdelivered packages. Instead of relying on a signature, the service requires the recipient to present a unique QR code before the driver will hand over the package. The service is now available for eligible residential and commercial shipments in the United States and Canada, layered on top of select expedited FedEx services. Who It's Built For This i

Mexican customs authorities have reversed a five-day restriction that barred empty commercial trucks from crossing into Mexico through the Eagle Pass, Texas – Piedras Negras bridge, ending a disruption that stranded hundreds of tractors and cut daily cross-border truck traffic by more than half. What Happened Mexico's National Customs Agency (ANAM) imposed the restriction on September 9, allowing loaded trucks to continue entering Mexico while blocking empty trailers and bobt

At a Shell station in San Diego's Serra Mesa neighborhood, diesel is now selling for $9.99 a gallon — the highest price the pump's digital display can even show. It's not an isolated glitch. As of mid-September 2026, at least five or six stations across California, including locations in Santa Clara, San Jose, and Paso Robles, have hit that same three-digit ceiling. If you ship freight, this isn't just a curiosity out of California. It's a preview of what's happening to your

For the first time in over three years, freight shipment volumes are growing again. The August 2026 Cass Freight Index shows shipments up 2.1% year-over-year — the first annual gain since January 2023, and the end of a 42-month downturn that was the longest on record. Before anyone celebrates too hard, it's worth putting that number in context. Here's what's actually happening in the freight market right now, and what it means for how you plan the rest of the year. The Number

If you're an importer of record in the United States, it's time to pull up your CBP file and check it — carefully. Starting September 18, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection can revoke a shipper's ability to bring goods into the country if the information on file is inaccurate. Not incomplete. Not fraudulent. Just wrong. This is a big shift, and a lot of shippers are going to be caught off guard by it. What's Actually Changing CBP published a Federal Register filing last

The latest Transportation Producer Price Index data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics confirms what many shippers are already seeing on their invoices: transportation costs continue to rise, and some modes are moving much faster than others. From August 2025 to August 2026, the Producer Price Index for transportation equipment rose 2.6%. More telling for day-to-day operations are the year-over-year changes in transportation services: Truck: +14.3% Water: +16.7% Air

The latest Short-Term Energy Outlook from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (released September 9, 2026) confirms what many shippers are already feeling at the pump and on their freight invoices: energy costs are not easing anytime soon. Oil Market Snapshot Global oil prices averaged $91 per barrel in August—$7 higher than July. The primary driver is a sharp drawdown in inventories. The EIA estimates global oil stocks have fallen by roughly 400 million barrels so far

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics' latest Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) confirms what many shippers have already sensed on the ground: freight activity is losing momentum. The Freight TSI slipped 0.7% in July 2026 compared with June, erasing the prior month's modest uptick, and now sits 2.0% below its July 2025 level. It's not a collapse. But it is a signal worth paying attention to, especially since it's happening while other corners of the economy are st

Every month, the major less-than-truckload carriers report a handful of numbers — tonnage, shipment counts, revenue per shipment — that most shippers never think twice about. But if you're moving freight regularly, these numbers are worth a closer look. They tell you where capacity is tightening, where carriers are gaining pricing power, and where you might have leverage (or might be about to lose it). August's reports from Saia, XPO, and Old Dominion give us a pretty good sn

If you haven't looked closely at your peak season shipping costs yet, now's the time. Amazon Shipping just announced its 2026 holiday surcharges, and they're higher than last year's — which means this could be the most expensive peak season parcel shippers have ever seen. At Gain Consulting, we spend our days helping businesses like yours get ahead of exactly this kind of cost creep. So let's break down what's changing, why it matters, and what you can do about it before the

TruckSmarter is closing up shop. The company confirmed that its AI-powered driver app, Dispatch, will shut down this Friday. More than 500,000 carriers have used the platform, which combined a free load board with an AI chat interface that allowed drivers to find, bid on, and book freight without navigating traditional load boards. For a company that raised $16 million just last September to accelerate growth and product innovation, the abrupt exit stands out. TruckSmarter ha

The August Logistics Manager’s Index (LMI) came in at 66.6, down 2.2 points from July’s 68.9 and further below June’s recent four-year high of 71.1. Logistics activity is still expanding, but the pace of growth is slowing. The slowdown is driven primarily by softer inventory levels, while costs across the board continue to climb at a rapid rate. For shippers and logistics managers, the message is clear: the underlying pressure on transportation, warehousing, and inventory cos

UPS has released its 2026 peak season surcharges, joining FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service in implementing higher fees than last year. These charges begin as early as September 27 and remain in effect through January 16, 2027, with the highest rates applying between November 22 and December 26—the period of peak holiday ordering. Key surcharges include: Additional Handling: $8.75 to $11.90 per package (effective September 27) Large Package Surcharge: $96.25 to $117.50 Over M

The U.S. Postal Service will implement a temporary 6% average rate increase on several package shipping services during the 2026 peak season, according to a recent agency filing. The seasonal adjustment is scheduled to take effect on October 4, 2026, and remain in place through January 17, 2027. It will apply to both retail and commercial rates for USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and Parcel Select. Key Details USPS stated that the temporary increa

Late Friday night, trade negotiations between the United States and Canada broke down, raising the risk of a broader trade conflict between two of the world’s most closely linked economies. The two countries exchange nearly $900 billion in goods annually. When talks failed, the U.S. moved forward with 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods — about 5% of Canada’s exports to the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded by announcing dollar-for-

Cross-border freight between the United States, Canada, and Mexico jumped sharply in June, signaling continued strength in North American trade flows. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, total transborder freight reached $157.1 billion in June 2026 — a 19.9% increase compared to June 2025. The growth was broad-based across both borders and most modes of transportation. Key Highlights U.S.–Mexico freight: $89.2 billion, up 22.2% year-over