Lower U.S. Imports Tighten Truck Capacity at Key Inland Hubs: China-U.S. Logistics Firms Need to Focus on Q4 Market Dynamics

Since October 2025, the U.S. logistics market has been witnessing new changes: with the kickoff of the autumn freight peak season, outbound spot truck capacity at multiple inland hubs has continued to tighten. This phenomenon not only drives a seasonal increase in freight rates but also poses new challenges for China-U.S. logistics companies in terms of transportation planning and cost control.

From a market data perspective, the impact of tight capacity has gradually become apparent. According to the latest statistics from DAT Freight & Analytics, in the week ending October 4, the average spot rate for U.S. dry-van truckload rose by 3 cents per mile to $1.70 per mile, which is 5 cents higher than the same period last year. Behind this price fluctuation, in addition to the regular seasonal factor of the autumn freight peak season, the decline in U.S. imports has emerged as a key driver. Reduced imported goods have indirectly shifted more freight demand to the spot truck market, further exacerbating the imbalance between supply and demand of capacity and adding new momentum to the freight rates that are already in an upward cycle.

However, it is important to note that the current tight capacity situation may be short-lived. The industry generally believes that whether capacity will continue to tighten and whether the increase in freight rates can be sustained will largely depend on subsequent consumer demand, especially market performance during the holiday season. If year-end holiday consumer demand strengthens significantly, freight volume may rise further, and spot freight rates in the fourth quarter may exceed current expectations, putting greater pressure on logistics cost control. Conversely, if demand falls short of expectations, fluctuations in capacity and freight rates may gradually stabilize.

In the face of such market fluctuations, for China-U.S. logistics companies to stabilize transportation costs and ensure service efficiency, it is crucial to choose reliable logistics partners and suitable service solutions. As a professional service provider deeply engaged in the China-U.S. logistics field, Goodship56 can provide enterprises with targeted solutions to help address current market challenges:

U.S. backend discounted delivery account services: Covering three major mainstream delivery channels (UPS, FedEx, and USPS), we secure exclusive discounts for customers through long-term cooperation advantages. While ensuring the timeliness of end-to-end delivery, we effectively reduce the delivery cost per piece of goods, making it particularly suitable for the efficient delivery of e-commerce packages and small shipments.

Nationwide truck delivery services in the U.S.: Relying on in-depth layout of the U.S. inland transportation network, we can provide truck transportation services covering core regions across the U.S. Whether it is dry goods, large shipments, or bulk orders, we can avoid cost fluctuations and transportation delays caused by reliance on the spot market through flexible capacity allocation, ensuring the stable flow of goods from inland hubs to final destinations.

In the coming months, the seasonal characteristics of the U.S. trucking market and changes in import volumes will continue to interact. It is recommended that China-U.S. logistics practitioners maintain sensitivity to market data. By choosing supporting services from Goodship56, you can leverage professional logistics resources and operational experience to adjust transportation strategies in a timely manner, better respond to market fluctuations, and ensure the stability and cost-effectiveness of cross-border logistics links.