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

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-

Double brokering has long been an open secret in trucking. Recent court decisions suggest that era of tolerance may be ending. Two new cases—one from a Nevada federal district court and one from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals—show judges increasingly willing to hold brokers and carriers accountable when loads are improperly passed along. The rulings raise the stakes around “reasonable care,” vicarious liability, and the risks of doing business with parties known to double

Airfreight rates declined in July even as jet fuel prices climbed sharply following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. The latest Baltic Air Freight Index (BAI00) from TAC shows average rates fell 8.8% compared with June levels. Despite the monthly drop, rates remained 16.8% higher year-over-year as of late July, supported by residual effects from earlier Middle East tensions, elevated fuel costs, and continued demand linked to data center construction. However, t

The Logistics Manager’s Index (LMI®) registered 68.9 in July, a moderate slowdown from June’s 71.1 (the fastest expansion rate since March 2022). While expansion eased, the reading remains well above the all-time average of 61.7 and higher than any monthly figure recorded between 2023 and 2025. Logistics activity is still growing robustly, but the nature of that growth is shifting. Key Drivers of the July Reading Cost pressures continue to dominate: Inventory Costs rose to 77

TFI International is positioning for growth in the U.S. less-than-truckload (LTL) market while working to correct recent pricing missteps—moves that could reshape capacity and rates for shippers in the months ahead. During its second-quarter 2026 earnings call, CEO Alain Bédard confirmed the Montreal-based carrier is exploring the acquisition of a U.S. nonunion LTL carrier valued at approximately C$200 million (about $142 million). The company currently operates a very small

Stricter federal enforcement of cabotage rules is reshaping cross-border trucking along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to the latest Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data, the number of active Mexican-domiciled trucking companies operating in southern border commercial zones has declined 4.3%, falling from 5,467 in late December 2025 to 5,232 as of mid-May 2026. This represents a continued downward trend from 5,633 carriers at the end of 2024. The reduct

The Port of Los Angeles continues to demonstrate remarkable strength amid global uncertainty. In June 2026, the nation’s busiest container gateway achieved a historic milestone: processing more than 1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) — marking the best June in the port’s 118-year history and the third-best month ever recorded. This was the third time the port has crossed the million-TEU threshold, a feat no other port in the Western Hemisphere has accomplished even

Retailers and importers are accelerating shipments in a clear bid to get ahead of potential new tariffs, driving import volumes to record levels this summer. According to the latest Global Port Tracker Report from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, U.S. container ports are on track for an all-time high in July as businesses frontload inventory ahead of expected trade policy shifts. Sharp Rise in Import Activity Import volumes have risen sharply, with

The global energy landscape has shifted significantly following the June 18 memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the United States and Iran. The agreement aims to end the recent conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to increased traffic. At Gain Consulting, we have updated our forecasts to reflect this new reality, with meaningful implications for oil supply, inventories, crude and product prices, natural gas, and electricity markets. Higher Oil Production on the Hori

The Trump administration announced on July 1 that it will not renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) for a new 16-year term. Instead, the agreement will undergo annual reviews through 2036. While the current USMCA remains fully in force, this decision signals a more aggressive approach to addressing trade imbalances and perceived shortcomings in the agreement. Key Details The administration cited persistent U.S. trade deficits with Canada and Mexico as the ma

New research from U.S. Bank and DAT Freight & Analytics reveals a shifting truck freight market: rates are climbing even as volumes remain under pressure. This supply-led dynamic is creating new cost challenges for shippers and opportunities for those who plan ahead. Key Findings from the Latest Report Spot rates have risen sharply, reaching $2.14 per mile in May 2026 — up significantly from late 2025 levels. Contract rates are following with a lag, hitting $2.18 per mile. Th

North American trade continues to show robust momentum. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), total U.S. transborder freight with Canada and Mexico reached $150.8 billion in April 2026 — a significant 19.4% increase compared to April 2025. This marks another month of strong growth in cross-border commerce, with U.S.-Mexico trade leading the way at $86.0 billion (+23.4%), while U.S.-Canada freight totaled $64.8 billion (+14.4%). Key H

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported that the average U.S. domestic air fare rose to $428 in Q1 2026 — a 4.7% increase from Q4 2025. This marks the highest first-quarter average on record. While this data focuses on passenger fares, it carries important implications for supply chain professionals, 3PLs, and shippers who rely on air freight for time-sensitive or high-value shipments. Why Passenger Air Fare Increases Matter for Freight Airlines operate passeng

In a significant development for the North American freight market, the U.S. government has revoked approximately 20,000 work visas for Mexican truck drivers over the past year. This action is part of an expanded crackdown on cabotage violations — the practice of foreign carriers hauling freight domestically within the United States, which is prohibited under current trade agreements. According to Mexico’s largest trucking association (CANACAR), the visa cancellations occurre

Truckload rates continued their upward climb through May and June 2026, driven primarily by tight capacity rather than strong freight demand. According to recent data from DAT Freight & Analytics and ACT Research, spot rates rose significantly despite month-over-month declines in freight volumes across van, reefer, and flatbed segments. Key Highlights: Van spot rates increased 22 cents per mile in May. Reefer rates rose 24 cents, and flatbed rates gained 19 cents. Truckload s

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released its latest Transportation Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, highlighting a significant rise in transportation costs over the past year. For businesses reliant on moving goods—whether by truck, parcel, air, or other modes—this report underscores growing pressure on logistics budgets and the need for strategic cost management. Key Highlights from the May 2026 Report The CPI for all transportation goods and services rose 9.3%