Packaging buyers are entering September with three major cost pressures still unresolved: inflation, tariffs and ocean freight.
The latest U.S. data shows why.
- July PCE inflation: 3.7% year over year
- Federal Reserve target: 2%
- Drewry World Container Index: $4,473 per 40-foot container
- Shanghai to New York: $9,333 per 40-foot container
- New Section 301 duties: 10% or 12.5% across 60 trading partners, subject to product-specific rules and exemptions
Energy volatility has also returned to the foreground, with Brent crude trading above $91 per barrel on August 31 as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz intensified.
For foodservice distributors and packaging procurement teams, the correct response is not panic buying. It is better control of landed cost and risk.
Our recommended actions:
- Verify HTS classification and tariff treatment before confirming an order.
- Require credible country-of-origin and production documentation.
- Compare East Coast, West Coast and alternative routing scenarios.
- Shorten quote-validity periods for freight- and resin-sensitive products.
- Protect critical inventory while avoiding excessive high-cost stock.
The winners in this market will be companies that combine dependable U.S. inventory with disciplined global sourcing and strong quality control.