International Trade News
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International Trade News for November 2025
Positive Signs in US–China Trade Negotiations
The US and China have signalled progress in ongoing trade discussions, with the United States confirming it will reduce tariffs on Chinese imports, originally imposed to curb fentanyl flows, by removing 10 percentage points from the cumulative rate, effective 10th November 2025.
The US has also stated it will maintain its suspension of heightened reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports until 10 November 2026, during which time the current 10% reciprocal tariff will remain in effect.
These developments, once fully implemented, will assist in reducing costs when shipping country of origin Chinese goods to the US.
DDP vs DDU — Why the Right Choice Matters More During Peak
Choosing between Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) and Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) can significantly influence how smoothly your parcels clear customs. During Peak, unpaid duties are one of the biggest causes of delays and returns, as many consumers simply don’t get around to completing payment requests.
To protect delivery performance, we strongly recommend using DDP wherever possible, or making duty requirements extremely clear at checkout when DDU\DAP applies. Using DDP or IOSS (for the EU) keeps parcels moving and ensures a smoother delivery experience.
We’ve put together important fast facts on DDP vs DDU:
Fastway Ireland Receivership Likely to Impact Peak Capacity
Fastway entering receivership is expected to place pressure on domestic and inbound parcel capacity in Ireland during Peak.
For GFS customers, the impact is mitigated by our managed multi-carrier model, which gives access to a wide range of alternative services and routes. This situation highlights why having multiple carrier options for shipping to Ireland is so important, especially when unforeseen changes arise in the market.
Most Common Causes of Customs Delays
Incorrect or incomplete data remains one of the most common causes of customs delays. Before despatch, ensure your parcel data includes:
- Correct Country of Origin
- Accurate HS Code
- Clear, compliant product descriptions
- Correct declared values
Ensuring data accuracy upfront helps maintain fast, friction-free international delivery.
Mandatory National Address Requirements for Saudi Arabia (w.e.f. January 2026)
To prepare ahead of time, we recommend reviewing your checkout process to ensure you can capture either:
- The full National Address, or
- The Short Address, which local systems will automatically convert into a full address during processing.
Retailers need to take the following steps:
- Confirm how you will capture the required address format
- Update checkout guidance where necessary
- Ensure validation rules are implemented ahead of peak 2025
If you have any questions or would like support preparing for this change, contact our GFS International team:
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