Newsletter [April 26 - May 2]

Good Morning

A note from our CEO, Richard Roman Jr

There have been no major structural changes since last week. The market remains stable, but we continue to monitor early signs of tightening beneath the surface, particularly around equipment positioning and carrier allocation.

The primary focus now shifts toward upcoming Asia holidays, which will impact production schedules, capacity planning, and shipment timing over the coming weeks.


The Roundup

What moved the world this week

Customs & Trade Policy Update

CAPE Submissions Underway

Following last week’s launch, CAPE submissions for IEEPA refunds are now actively underway through the ACE Portal.

Phase 1 continues to focus on:

  • Unliquidated entries

  • Entries liquidated within approximately 80 days

  • Entries under extension, suspension, or review

  • Warehouse entries and withdrawals

What to Expect:

  • Processing timeline remains 60–90 days

  • Refunds will include interest paid by the government at time of processing

  • Refunds are issued per importer account via ACH

As submissions begin, the focus has shifted to accuracy, eligibility review, and proper sequencing, which will directly impact processing timelines.

Supply Chain & Logistics News

Stable Market, With Early Constraints

From an operational standpoint, the market remains stable this week.

However, we continue to see early indicators of tightening:

  • 20GP container availability remains slightly constrained in certain lanes

  • Carriers maintaining disciplined space allocation

  • Booking timing becoming more important, particularly for specific equipment types

In one recent case, a shipment into New York required tighter coordination due to limited carrier allocation, reflecting how space controls are starting to surface.

This is not a disruption, but rather a sign of controlled capacity management by carriers.

Preparing for Asia Holiday Slowdowns

The most relevant near-term factor is the upcoming Asia holiday period, where factory closures and reduced production will impact shipment flow.

Key considerations:

  • Factories will begin slowing or closing operations

  • Production delays will affect shipment readiness

  • Carriers may adjust capacity based on reduced volumes

As a result:

  • Pre-holiday shipments should already be moving or planned

  • Post-holiday volume may return unevenly depending on production ramp-up


The Forecast

Trends, goals, and what’s on the radar at JR Global

Near-term expectations remain consistent:

  • Stable market conditions with gradual tightening signals

  • Continued carrier discipline on capacity and allocation

  • Increasing importance of booking visibility and timing

From a customs perspective:

  • CAPE submissions will continue ramping up

  • Processing timelines and execution will become the focus

Overall, this is a controlled market environment, but one that requires attention to timing and planning.


The Shortcut

Smart tips for smart shippers

  • Market remains stable with no major structural changes this week

  • CAPE refund submissions now actively underway

  • Refunds expected in 60–90 days with interest

  • Phase 1 includes unliquidated + recent (≤80 days) entries

  • Early signs of 20GP constraints and carrier allocation controls

  • Focus shifting to Asia holiday production slowdown

  • Planning and timing remain key


The Playlist

What the JR team is listening to this week in the office


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Newsletter [April 19 - April 25]