The 90-Day Tariff Pause Impact (Canada Edition)

Tariff Pause, Market Mayhem: Why It’s Bigger Than Duties
When the U.S. announced a 90-day pause on select tariffs, the headlines focused on one thing: duty relief. But savvy importers know the truth, the impact goes way beyond what you pay at customs.

Tariffs don’t just affect duties. They shake the entire shipping market, from container availability to freight rates and port congestion. If you’re an importer in Canada, you might not be on the guest list for this tariff break, but you’re definitely part of the afterparty.

The Pause Heard Around the Ports

Within days of the U.S. pause announcement, bookings from China to the U.S. surged. One source reported a 277 percent increase in TEU bookings, as shippers raced to take advantage of the temporary rate relief.

Carriers responded by shifting capacity, adjusting routes, and in some cases slashing spot rates to fill vessels fast. This sudden spike in volume didn’t just impact U.S. importers. It altered the pace, availability, and pricing of global shipping lanes, including Canadian routes.

When tariff policy changes, shipping behavior changes too.

More Than Just Duties: What Canadian Importers Are Actually Feeling

Even though Canada’s tariff structure hasn’t changed, here’s how Canadian shippers are feeling the effects of U.S. policy shifts:

✔️ Congestion Ripple Effect
Ports in Canada are seeing longer delays and vessel bunching due to rerouted traffic and tighter space.

✔️ Blank Sailings
Carriers are canceling or rescheduling services to prioritize high-demand lanes. Fewer sailings mean less flexibility for Canadian importers.

✔️ Volatile Freight Rates
The market is playing catch-up. When demand shifts rapidly, rates swing too. You might see price hikes one week and overbooked capacity the next.

✔️ Booking Delays
With more volume flowing into North America, even non-U.S. shipments can face slower booking confirmations and space limitations.

In other words, you don’t have to be U.S.-bound to feel the freight pressure.

So What Can Canadian Importers Actually Do?

Let the U.S. enjoy their tariff holiday. You’ve got your own list to stay on top of:

✔️ Stay CARM compliant
✔️ Post your RPP bond before delays hit
✔️ Monitor your Statement of Account
✔️ Plan your shipments earlier than usual
✔️ Work with logistics partners (like us) who track these shifts and adapt quickly

Ramsay Keeps You Ready, No Matter the Policy

At Ramsay Customs & Logistics, we don’t just help you clear customs. We help you make smart logistics moves in a constantly shifting global trade environment.

We help you:

✅ Track freight trends and navigate congestion
✅ Secure space when capacity tightens
✅ Keep your customs docs, duties, and CARM setup ready for anything
✅ Avoid the chaos (and cost) of last-minute freight planning

And if something changes (whether it’s a tariff, a sailing, or a port schedule) we’ve already got a plan for that.

The Bottom Line: Tariffs May Pause, But Logistics Never Stops

Tariffs might grab headlines, but the real impact is in the movement of goods, not just the duty line on your invoice.

Whether you’re shipping through Vancouver, Calgary, or beyond, what happens in global trade policy can absolutely hit home. The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.

📩 Reach out to us at he***@*************cs.com and let’s keep your freight moving even when the market does the most.