air-cargo

EU Tariff Dents E-Commerce Air Cargo, But AI Shipments Pick Up Slack

The European Union's €3 customs duty on low-value imported parcels, effective July 1, immediately pressured air cargo volumes. Airfreight tonnage from Hong Kong to Europe dropped 12% week-on-week in the week ending July 5, according to WorldACD. Industry observers expect the decline to reverse as shippers adjust. This mirrors patterns in U.S. markets, where parcel imports rebounded after duty changes, accounting for 13% of all airborne imports in the first quarter, down from 16% a year earlier. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence-related shipments are fueling airfreight growth, particularly across Pacific routes. U.S. high-tech imports surged 70% in the first quarter, lifting overall airborne imports 11% year-on-year. The influx of servers, semiconductors and related equipment is driving cascading demand in project logistics, with equipment providers reporting full order books and extended lead times. A UN Council for Trade and Economic Development report from April forecasts the global AI sector will expand to $4.8 trillion by 2033, though many AI valuations remain highly speculative.