海运价格上升，美零售业担忧“年底涨价”

Core Points - The recent imposition of additional port service fees on Chinese vessels by the U.S. has escalated tensions in U.S.-China trade relations, leading to increased shipping costs that will ultimately affect U.S. retail prices [1] - The global shipping market is experiencing a downturn, with significant declines in U.S. container imports and port throughput, particularly from China [2][3] - The ongoing trade disputes and tariffs are causing U.S. retailers to become increasingly cautious about future import volumes, predicting a drop in monthly imports [4] Shipping Industry Impact - U.S. container imports fell by 8.4% month-on-month in September, with major categories like aluminum products and footwear seeing declines of 43.8% and 33.9%, respectively [2] - The introduction of special port fees has led to a 4% increase in shipping costs per container, which will be passed on to consumers, particularly affecting textiles and furniture [5][6] - Shipping companies are adjusting their capacity in response to U.S. policy uncertainties, with a shift in focus towards markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia [3][7] Consumer Impact - U.S. consumers are facing rising prices due to increased shipping costs and tariffs, with reports of empty shelves and limited product availability [8][9] - The average tariff on U.S. imports from China is approximately 58%, contributing to higher consumer prices and financial strain on households [9] - Retailers are experiencing challenges in maintaining inventory levels for the upcoming holiday season, leading to concerns about the overall economic impact of these trade policies [8][4]