Shipping Update April 7, 2020
We’re here to help you navigate your shipments during these challenging times! You can learn more about what to expect for shipping (highlights below) in the next few months and more details in the latest North American Market Update (please contact us if you are not included in the distribution).
Ocean carriers reduce capacity (cancel sailings) to offset losses
The global drop in demand in major markets are forcing carriers to reduce capacity to avoid unsustainable rate drops. We are seeing cancelled (blank sailings) on all major sailing routes, including the transatlantic in the next few month. This will impact the available space for bookings on any given week, so we encourage you to plan ahead for longer lead times and protect cargo with Vinliner container insulation or pallet covers. More background information on how the ocean carriers are adjusting can be found in this article from Freight Waves here.
Upcoming Holidays
A reminder that suppliers in many countries will be closed around the Easter holidays, typically at least Good Friday and Easter Monday. Port terminals and rail ramps will either be closed on Good Friday or adjusted holiday hours. Hillebrand USA offices and warehouses will be closed on Friday April 10th, 2020. Note that France has bank holidays on May 1st, 8th, 21st, and June 1st to schedule around as well.
Regulatory Information
We are still awaiting guidance from the US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) on TTB’s announcement of postponed tax payments and what that means for imported shipments, but in the meantime we encourage you to also work with your suppliers to secure allocation under the Craft Beverage Modernization Act (CBMA) to take advantage of tax savings for this year. More information on our website here.
For more information or questions please connect with your Hillebrand representative and you can login at myHillebrand to manage your orders as well.