Latest news with #RyanPetersen
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Flexport Debuts Tariff Simulator as Customers ‘Need Clarity on Costs'
Flexport wants to help businesses better estimate how much extra they're paying in tariffs when they're importing goods into the U.S. The digital freight forwarder launched the Flexport Tariff Simulator Monday as importers continue to navigate the stop-and-start environment. The simulator is accessible to the general public. More from Sourcing Journal US Pushes Global Partners for Trade Deals by Wednesday Trade Truce Crumbles as China Says US Violated Terms Trans-Pacific Ocean Freight Rates Continue Their Ascent on More Front-Loading With the Flexport Tariff Simulator, importers shipping to the U.S. can now estimate tariff and landed cost scenarios based on key shipment details, including: the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code; shipment value; entry date; country of origin; and product-specific details such as material composition. For example, a business importing a men's T-shirt from China can either search their specific product category or enter the relevant HTS code and select an entry date to receive an estimated, detailed duty calculation with landed cost. The calculation also breaks out how much is owed for each individual duty that applies to the product's country of origin. Additionally, the tool also allows shippers to include potential exclusion codes to determine how much they would save if applied. Within the simulator, there is an interactive map that allows users to see trade data around the world including the total value of imports from a given country, the current average duty rate and the percentage of total U.S. imports coming from that country. The map also can break down total imports by individual HTS codes, and enables users to see the top trade partners for each individual product category. The simulator is built to enable dynamic scenario planning and cost forecasting as importers explore alternative trade lanes, manufacturing options and import timelines. According to Flexport, the user interface is updated in real time as tariff policies change. 'Our customers have been telling us loud and clear: they need clarity on costs,' said Ryan Petersen, founder and CEO of Flexport, in a statement. 'Our engineering team built The Flexport Tariff Simulator in response to meet that need in the face of all the uncertainty caused by rapid policy changes. We want to help merchants avoid expensive surprises.' Petersen has been vocal about the tariffs in recent months and how they could impact the Flexport business and its many customers. He told Fortune in a recent interview that the duties push back profitability projections for Flexport by six months to a year. And in a separate interview with The Wall Street Journal, he called the tariffs 'an extinction-level, asteroid-wiping-out-the-dinosaurs kind of event' for small businesses. In a LinkedIn post on Monday, Petersen called the tariff simulator 'the number one thing customers have asked for.' Retailers and brands alike of all sizes have had to endure a flurry of on-the-fly changes to U.S. tariff policy since April 2, when President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcements unveiled a slew of country-specific 'reciprocal' tariffs on dozens of American trade partners. A week later, on the day those duties initially went into effect, Trump put a 90-day pause on the country-specific tariffs, paring them back to a 10-percent baseline. Much of the attention is now on China, where plenty of Flexport customers still manufacture and source many of their products. China has seen the most tariff fluctuations of any U.S. trade partner as the White House continues its trade war against the country, likely creating confusion among those business leaders needing to stay abreast of the immediate impacts. On top of already existing Section 301 tariffs, China's 'Liberation Day' duties, including the 20-percent fentanyl-related tax, totaled 54 percent. These tariffs were then escalated to 145 percent as the remaining country-specific tariffs were scaled back, before being put largely on pause in May for 90 days. Chinese imports into the U.S. now have a duty rate of 30 percent. President Trump and China's President Xi Jinping could hold direct talks on the tariffs as soon as this week, according to the White House. Flexport's launch came the same day a Reuters report indicated that the White House wants its 'best offers' from U.S. trade partners by a Wednesday deadline. The official deadline for most countries to negotiate new deals with the Trump administration is July 9, before the 90-day pause expires and the original April 2 duties would go into effect. For China, the target date is Aug. 14. Alongside the tariff simulator launch, the freight tech company also is debuting a new, searchable catalog of HTS code content. Each entry is designed to provide detailed, easy-to-understand information to help businesses better navigate classification requirements, special duty rates and implications for their customs clearance process. Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Melden Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen. Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Flexport Launches Tariff Simulator to Help Businesses Navigate Rapidly Changing Trade Policies
SAN FRANCISCO, June 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Flexport, the leading global logistics technology company, today announced the launch of the Flexport Tariff Simulator, a powerful new tool designed to help businesses estimate landed costs and navigate the evolving tariff landscape with greater speed and confidence. The tool is available to the general public at The launch marks the latest addition to Flexport's growing suite of customs and trade advisory technology—designed to provide importers with the data, insights, and transparency they need to make smarter, faster decisions in a complex global trade environment. With the Flexport Tariff Simulator, importers shipping to the United States can now estimate tariff and landed cost scenarios based on key shipment details, including: Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code; Shipment value; Entry date; Country of origin; and Product-specific details such as material composition. For example, a business importing aluminum-containing goods from China can enter the relevant HTS code, input the aluminum content, and select an entry date to receive an estimated, detailed duty calculation with landed cost. The Flexport Tariff Simulator enables dynamic scenario planning and cost forecasting as businesses explore alternative trade lanes, manufacturing options, and import timelines. "Our customers have been telling us loud and clear: they need clarity on costs," said Ryan Petersen, Founder and CEO of Flexport. "Our engineering team built The Flexport Tariff Simulator in response to meet that need in the face of all the uncertainty caused by rapid policy changes. We want to help merchants avoid expensive surprises." Within the simulator, there is an interactive map that allows users to see critical trade data around the world including the total value of imports from a given country, the current average duty rate, and the percentage of total United States imports coming from that country. Along with the tariff simulator, Flexport is also launching a new, searchable catalog of HTS code content. Each entry provides detailed, easy-to-understand information to help businesses better navigate classification requirements, special duty rates, and implications for their customs clearance process. While there are a number of other duty calculators that have launched, the Flexport Tariff Simulator is unique in its intuitive user interface and the fact it is updated in real time as tariff policies change. The technology is powered by Flexport's deep expertise in trade advisory, accurately applying tariff rates in an evolving, complex environment. As tariffs shift, the simulator and HTS catalog will evolve accordingly, ensuring customers always have the most accurate and transparent data at their fingertips. "As one of the largest customs brokerages in the U.S., Flexport is uniquely positioned to help businesses of all sizes stay compliant while managing risk and cost," Petersen added. The Flexport Tariff Simulator is available exclusively for U.S. imports and will be accessible to the general public for free at: About Flexport We believe trade can move the human race forward. That's why since our founding in 2013, it's our mission to make global commerce so easy there is more of it. Flexport is the tech-driven platform for global logistics—empowering buyers, sellers and their logistics partners with the technology and services to grow and innovate. Flexport was one of CNBC's Disruptor 50 Companies as well as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies. Trusted by more than 10,000 brands, Flexport connects every step of the supply chain from factory floor to customer door - making it easy for businesses to ship anywhere, sell everywhere, and grow faster. View source version on Contacts Media Contact press@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Flexport Launches Tariff Simulator to Help Businesses Navigate Rapidly Changing Trade Policies
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Flexport, the leading global logistics technology company, today announced the launch of the Flexport Tariff Simulator, a powerful new tool designed to help businesses estimate landed costs and navigate the evolving tariff landscape with greater speed and confidence. The tool is available to the general public at The launch marks the latest addition to Flexport's growing suite of customs and trade advisory technology—designed to provide importers with the data, insights, and transparency they need to make smarter, faster decisions in a complex global trade environment. With the Flexport Tariff Simulator, importers shipping to the United States can now estimate tariff and landed cost scenarios based on key shipment details, including: Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code; Shipment value; Entry date; Country of origin; and Product-specific details such as material composition. For example, a business importing aluminum-containing goods from China can enter the relevant HTS code, input the aluminum content, and select an entry date to receive an estimated, detailed duty calculation with landed cost. The Flexport Tariff Simulator enables dynamic scenario planning and cost forecasting as businesses explore alternative trade lanes, manufacturing options, and import timelines. 'Our customers have been telling us loud and clear: they need clarity on costs,' said Ryan Petersen, Founder and CEO of Flexport. 'Our engineering team built The Flexport Tariff Simulator in response to meet that need in the face of all the uncertainty caused by rapid policy changes. We want to help merchants avoid expensive surprises.' Within the simulator, there is an interactive map that allows users to see critical trade data around the world including the total value of imports from a given country, the current average duty rate, and the percentage of total United States imports coming from that country. Along with the tariff simulator, Flexport is also launching a new, searchable catalog of HTS code content. Each entry provides detailed, easy-to-understand information to help businesses better navigate classification requirements, special duty rates, and implications for their customs clearance process. While there are a number of other duty calculators that have launched, the Flexport Tariff Simulator is unique in its intuitive user interface and the fact it is updated in real time as tariff policies change. The technology is powered by Flexport's deep expertise in trade advisory, accurately applying tariff rates in an evolving, complex environment. As tariffs shift, the simulator and HTS catalog will evolve accordingly, ensuring customers always have the most accurate and transparent data at their fingertips. 'As one of the largest customs brokerages in the U.S., Flexport is uniquely positioned to help businesses of all sizes stay compliant while managing risk and cost,' Petersen added. The Flexport Tariff Simulator is available exclusively for U.S. imports and will be accessible to the general public for free at: About Flexport We believe trade can move the human race forward. That's why since our founding in 2013, it's our mission to make global commerce so easy there is more of it. Flexport is the tech-driven platform for global logistics—empowering buyers, sellers and their logistics partners with the technology and services to grow and innovate. Flexport was one of CNBC's Disruptor 50 Companies as well as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies. Trusted by more than 10,000 brands, Flexport connects every step of the supply chain from factory floor to customer door - making it easy for businesses to ship anywhere, sell everywhere, and grow faster.
Epoch Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
US-China Tariff Truce Triggers Cargo Stampede, Scramble to Diversify Beyond China: Analysts
News Analysis When word broke on May 12 that Washington and Beijing had agreed to a 90-day tariff pause, containers quickly piled up at Shenzhen's Yantian International Container Terminal, the port that handles more than a quarter of U.S.-bound cargo. U.S. duties dropped from 145 percent to 30 percent and China's from 125 percent to 10 percent. Within a day, rows of outbound boxes jammed major Chinese docks, carriers were peak-season surcharges for sailings weeks before summer, and spot rates on the Pacific began to soar. The tariff reprieve expires on Aug. 11. If negotiators fail to reach a broader deal by then, tariffs of up to 54 percent could snap back into place. Analysts say the 90-day truce offers only a brief lifeline. It has locked in a new playbook of rush shipping, floating-tariff contracts, and multi-country production hedges that will outlast the reprieve. Far from reversing the trend, it reinforces the supply-chain exodus that began in Trump's first term and has accelerated in the current one. Average weekly bookings from China to the United States Related Stories 5/18/2025 5/26/2025 Drewry's index shows May 15 spot rates on the Shanghai–Los Angeles lane 'There won't be enough ships for all this cargo. Get ready for surge pricing,' shipping firm Flexport chief executive Ryan Petersen 'The 90-day reprieve simply resets the clock,' U.S.-based economist Davy J. Wong told The Epoch Times. 'We've moved from 'deal or no deal' to chronic confrontation. High tariffs could remain as the baseline, and exemptions become the bargaining chips.' Washington, he added, can raise or lower duties at will, using them as a lever whenever Chinese industrial policy shifts, the yuan slides, or U.S. inflation flares. A lasting thaw of U.S.-China trade tensions 'seems unlikely anytime soon,' Sun Kuo-hsiang, an international affairs professor at Taiwan's Nanhua University, told The Epoch Times. Each pause-and-rebound cycle, he said, nudges more factories abroad and pushes the higher-margin plants that stay to automate—auto-parts lines already swapping workers for robotic welding arms, appliance makers rolling out smart assembly cells. Ports Jammed, Contracts Rewritten The port crunch is already rippling through carrier operations. With Yantian berths booked solid, German carrier Hapag-Lloyd Exporters are betting on speed. An aerial view shows containers stacked at a port in Taicang, in eastern China's Jiangsu province on May 18, 2025. STR/AFP via Getty Images Chinese factories are clearing backlogged inventory, high-margin goods, and holiday merchandise first, Sun said, with long-term orders from major U.S. retailers taking priority. Wong calls the tactic 'ship early and stockpile on the U.S. West Coast'—a reversal of the usual pattern in which U.S. importers build inventories. This time, Chinese exporters are sending even unsold cargo across the Pacific to beat the clock. If duties return in August, cargo still in transit could be rerouted through Mexico or Southeast Asia for repackaging, dumped into China's domestic market, stripped for parts, or written off if margins vanish, Wong said. Buyers and sellers are redrafting deals just as fast, he added. He said contracts now feature floating-tariff clauses, shorter payment terms, , and non-deliverable forwards—currency contracts to cushion any slide in the yuan that new tariff headlines could trigger. Sun sees more pay-on-delivery schedules, and explicit cost-sharing formulas when duties change, with tighter termination clauses: 'These instruments are now routine for mid- to large-size exporters.' Insurance markets have responded in kind: war and political risk premiums, elevated since the Red Sea attacks, now Factories on the Move Producers across the Pacific offer a snapshot of how the 90-day truce is accelerating an old trend. Limoss, a German maker of remote-control systems based in the Chinese manufacturing hub of Dongguan, is seeking to expand operations in Malaysia for U.S. orders because 'crossing our fingers isn't a strategy,' general manager Christian Gassner That calculation echoes up and down the value chain. Japanese heavy machinery maker Komatsu Chinese-made cars, including Volvo and other brands, at a port in Nanjing, in China's eastern Jiangsu province on April 16, 2025. AFP via Getty Images The pivot has been underway for years: by 2024, Vietnam was making half of Nike's shoes, nearly a third of its apparel, 40 percent of Lululemon products, and 39 percent of Adidas footwear—evidence of how first-term Trump tariffs set global supply chains in motion. A veteran Chinese paper-goods maker surnamed Chen Vietnam itself was briefly subjected to a 46 percent U.S. reciprocal tariff, but that duty has been suspended at a 10 percent baseline since April 9. U.S. retailers are adjusting, too. Target is 'treasure-hunt' model—constantly rotating product offerings—to swap in lower-tariff goods. Automation, 'China + 1' Surge Sun pegs 2024 to 2026 as the critical window for 'China + 1' migration, keeping a foothold in China while adding at least one production base elsewhere to hedge risk. Electronics, apparel, toys, and home-appliance makers are leading the charge to Vietnam, Mexico, and Indonesia. Higher-tech firms are splitting new investment between China and alternative sites, he said. Beijing's counter‐move is rapid If robots and smart controls can cut unit costs far enough, a handful of high-margin lines might stay despite duties—but Sun concedes most plants can't make the numbers work once U.S. tariffs approach 40 to 50 percent. Either way, the trade-off is fewer jobs at home. An employee moves parcels from a conveyor belt to an automatic robot at the warehouse of a logistics base of JingDong Group in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on November 5, the push is official policy. Under its Made in China 2025 blueprint, Beijing wants domestic makers of robots and control systems to capture 70 percent of the home market by 2025. Sun expects automation to spread first in higher-margin segments such as auto-parts machining, large-appliance assembly, and the production of industrial PCs and other embedded controllers. Wong sees the second China + 1 wave cresting in late 2025 as higher-value industries lean into automation, digital twins, and local fulfillment networks to stay nimble. Bottlenecks for the US, Risks for China The scramble carries risks beyond freight rates, Wong said. China still dominates specialty chemicals, active pharmaceutical ingredients, precision machine-tool parts, and rare-earth magnets, he said. Even brief delays can idle U.S. plants for months. At the same time, the capital that keeps this trade moving is just as exposed to shocks, Sun said. Much of the rush is bank-financed, Sun added. Short-term loans fund the inventory, and if demand falters, unsold stock becomes 'a liquidity black hole' for small and mid-size exporters. Chinese lenders have already Wong fears a wave of non-performing loans at Chinese regional lenders that specialize in trade finance. S&P Global Conversely, if tariffs jump in August, Wong foresees 'localized, industry-specific layoffs' in export-heavy Chinese hubs like Guangdong and Jiangsu as early as September. Factories lacking branding and domestic conversion channels would start shedding workers first, he added. Labor-intensive workshops in toys, apparel, and small appliances are already trimming shifts, Sun said. Carriers Eye Exit For ocean carriers, Wong said, the calculus is simple: if demand collapses after August, ships will stay in port despite low fuel prices. New contracts penalize shippers that default on minimum-load commitments, Sun noted, yet without steady volumes, even penalties may not keep vessels running. The Trump administration warns higher tariffs will return unless Beijing concedes more ground. A China Shipping cargo container sits stacked at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, Calif., on April 10, 2025. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images For now, ships race the calendar. 'The pause-and-rebound cycle is likely here to stay,' Wong said. Sun echoed the view: every truce triggers a rush to ship, a spike in rates, and a fresh round of hedging. Businesses on both shores are behaving as if the era of predictable low tariffs is over, Wong added. They are padding inventories, rewriting contracts, and uprooting supply chains, not for a one-off crisis but for a future in which trade peace lasts only as long as the next 90-day clock. Gu Xiaohua and Reuters contributed to this report.
TechCrunch
21-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Disrupt 2025 Early Bird savings end on May 25
The early bird sees the future first — and saves the most. The old saying goes, 'the early bird gets the worm.' But in tech — and in life — it's not really about the worm. It's about spotting what's next before the crowd rushes in and the price goes up. TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is happening October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. And for the next five days, you can claim your spot — not just ahead of the noise, but at a serious discount. Early Bird rates save you up to $900 — and your plus-one gets 90% off. This deal ends on May 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT. No gimmicks. Just real savings for people who actually show up early. Register here to secure your massive savings. What you should be at Disrupt 2025 Tech powerhouses to share their insights You'll hear from big names you may already know — like Astro Teller (X), Raquel Urtasun (Waabi), Ryan Petersen (Flexport), David George (a16z), and plenty more you'll want to know. Check out the growing lineup on the Disrupt 2025 speaker page. Hands-on interactive sessions You don't go to Disrupt to collect lanyards. You go to listen in on the real conversations — the ones happening on the main stage between the people actually building what's next. Founders, VCs, operators, the contrarians, and the visionaries — all in one place, asking better questions and not afraid of complex answers. Breakout Session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Image Credits:Slava Blazer Photography Powerful networking But the magic is in the mix — in who you sit next to, who challenges your assumptions, who reminds you why you're doing this in the first place. It's quality networking, in 1:1s or small groups, built to spark real connections and fresh inspiration. Ultimate startup pitch competition The iconic Startup Battlefield 200 is the global pitch competition that happens live in front of a hungry audience. It's your chance to witness thrilling pitches from pre-Series A startups, see how they present their innovations, and hear honest, unfiltered feedback from top VC judges on what makes a viable startup. Techcrunch event Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot for our leading AI industry event with speakers from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere. For a limited time, tickets are just $292 for an entire day of expert talks, workshops, and potent networking. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | REGISTER NOW Think your pre-Series A startup has what it takes to shine on the global stage and win a $100,000 equity-free prize? Apply before the June 9 deadline. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 18: (L-R) Founding Managing Partner of Freestyle VC Dave Samuel, Co-founder & Managing Partner of BBG Ventures Nisha Dua, and TechCrunch Startup Battlefield contestant speak onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt 2022 on October 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images Go to Disrupt 2025 with Early Bird rates You have until May 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT to lock in Early Bird savings for the tech epicenter of the year. Make your move before the moment passes. Secure your early bird ticket now.
