Newsletter [April 19 - April 25]
Good Morning
A note from our CEO, Richard Roman Jr
This week marks a shift from planning to execution across both customs and logistics.
The IEEPA refund process officially opened this past Monday through CAPE in ACE, giving importers a clear path to begin recovering duties. At the same time, we are seeing early signs of capacity and equipment pressure building, alongside rising costs across multiple transportation modes.
Individually, these are manageable developments. Together, they signal a market that requires more proactive coordination, earlier planning, and tighter execution.
The Roundup
What moved the world this week
Customs & Trade Policy Update
CAPE Refund Process Now Live
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has officially launched Phase 1 of the CAPE refund process for IEEPA tariffs within the ACE Portal.
Importers and authorized brokers can now begin submitting refund declarations.
Key Details:
Refunds submitted via CAPE Declaration in ACE
CBP will remove IEEPA HTS, recalculate duties, and reliquidate entries
Refunds issued per importer account, not per entry
Timeline & Scope:
Estimated processing time: 60–90 days
Refunds will include interest paid by the government at time of processing
Phase 1 includes:
Unliquidated entries
Entries liquidated within approximately 80 days
Additional phases covering older or more complex entries are expected, with timing still pending CBP confirmation.
Requirements:
Active ACE Portal account
ACH refund authorization with U.S. bank account
Updated importer information (Form 5106)
Refunds are electronic only — paper checks are no longer issued.
Supply Chain & Logistics News
Supply Chain & Logistics Update
Early Capacity & Equipment Constraints Emerging
We are continuing to see early-stage constraints in equipment and carrier allocation, particularly involving 20GP containers.
This week, we encountered a case where a shipment into New York faced tighter carrier allocation, with limited TEU space being made available for booking.
This is not a widespread shortage, but it reflects a broader shift:
Carriers are managing space more tightly
Equipment is becoming less evenly distributed across regions
Booking timing is becoming more critical
These conditions are being influenced in part by ongoing Middle East disruptions, which continue to impact vessel routing and container circulation.
Operational Trends
Carriers are continuing to adjust network behavior:
Additional port calls for consolidation
Slow steaming to manage fuel consumption
More controlled space allocation across trade lanes
The result is:
Longer and less predictable transit times
Increased importance of early booking
Reduced flexibility for last-minute shipments
Additional Market Developments
Cost Pressure Expanding Across the Supply Chain
This week also highlighted broader cost and capacity pressures beyond ocean freight:
Potential jet fuel shortages in Asia are raising concerns around air freight capacity and pricing
Fuel-related surcharges are expanding across ocean, air, and parcel networks
U.S. trucking costs are projected to rise significantly, driven by tightening capacity and higher operating costs
These developments indicate that cost pressure is no longer isolated — it is building across all modes of transportation.
The Forecast
Trends, goals, and what’s on the radar at JR Global
We are entering a phase defined by two parallel dynamics:
1. Refund Execution (Customs)
CAPE submissions are now active
Processing timelines and claim quality will drive outcomes
2. Gradual Market Tightening (Logistics)
Early signs of equipment constraints, particularly 20GP
Increasing carrier discipline on space allocation
Rising cost pressure across multiple modes
While the market remains stable today, these signals suggest incremental tightening as we move further into Q2.
The Shortcut
Smart tips for smart shippers
CAPE refund process launched this week
Refunds processed in 60–90 days with interest
Phase 1 includes unliquidated + recent (≤80 days) entries
Phase 2 pending CBP confirmation
Early signs of 20GP equipment constraints
Carriers tightening space and allocation controls
Fuel and cost pressure rising across all transport modes
Booking earlier is becoming increasingly important
The Playlist
What the JR team is listening to this week in the office
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