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The Freight Right TrueFreight Index (TFX) tracks global container shipping rates in real-time, ensuring accuracy through rigorous data validation and volume-weighted calculations. It aggregates pricing from logistics providers, filtering anomalies. Automated processes enhance objectivity, while ongoing reviews and audits ensure reliability, aligning with market trends and industry demands.
The TrueFreight Index provides shippers, forwarders, and BCOs with the most up-to-date snapshot of container shipping spot market rates. Our index is updated daily with verified market bids to help you navigate rate volatility, secure better contracts, and plan your supply chain with confidence.
Below are the latest spot rates for the most active trade lanes. Rates reflect the market average for standard 40ft containers (FCL) moving on the spot market.
The summer’s tariff clock is ticking—with deadlines and new trade deals shaping a volatile landscape. While pockets of cooperation are emerging (China, South Africa, UK), consumer costs are climbing, and markets remain sensitive to the next twist.
Global trade saw a flurry of moves amid looming July deadlines. South Africa formally requested the US extend its 31% “reciprocal” tariff deadline (July 9), offering to accept a 10% rate and boost LNG purchases during trade negotiations.
Meanwhile, a US/China agreement struck on June 26 aimed at speeding rare-earth mineral exports sent markets surging. European indexes rose, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs. In the UK, trade authorities capped steel-import growth sharply, slashing quotas to just 0.1% and country-specific limits (20% for Vietnam, 15% for Korea/Algeria), effective July 1 to combat import surges. Treasury Secretary Bessent pledged 10 new tariff deals by Labor Day, building on recent UK and China pacts.
The markets responded positively: optimism over trade breakthroughs, aided by AI momentum and rate-cut hopes, kept global equities buoyant. However, UK car exports to the U.S. halved in May amid backlash to U.S. auto tariffs.
As of this week, TFX is tracking:
CEA/USEC 20ft $3,745.36
CEA/USEC 40ft $4,514.34
CEA/USEC 40HC $4,514.34
CEA/USWC 20ft $2,067.94
CEA/USWC 40ft $2,549.77
CEA/USWC 40HC $2,549.77
Ocean freight rates have dropped to March–April levels, with China–US West Coast rates around $1,800–$1,900 per container and East Coast rates around $3,800–$3,900. The drop is due to excess vessel supply exceeding current demand.
Carriers are unlikely to tolerate further rate declines below $1,500, as this threshold causes them to operate at a loss. If rates dip further, it’s expected to be short-lived, with carriers likely to cut capacity to restore margins.
A key inflection point is the July 9 deadline for tariffs on imports from non-China countries (e.g., Vietnam, Korea, EU). For China, the effective shipping deadline is the third week of July to meet the August 14 entry date.
Importers are in a holding pattern, with some pausing shipments due to high tariffs or weak demand. Many are waiting to see if 30% China tariffs will be revised down before restocking for the peak July–September season.
Financial Times: European ports ‘overflowing’ as Trump tariffs cause congestion: https://www.ft.com/content/2d155bde-5c99-4829-a2d2-1e8c289f083b
Moneyweek: US-China trade deal has been signed, says Trump:https://moneyweek.com/economy/global-economy/us-china-trade
The Times: UK caps steel imports to stop dumping by foreign producers: https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/economics/article/uk-caps-steel-imports-to-stop-dumping-by-foreign-producers-hw00j0j6q
China Briefing: Breaking Down the US-China Trade Tariffs: What’s in Effect Now?: https://www.china-briefing.com/news/us-china-tariff-rates-2025/
The Freight Right TrueFreight Index (TFX) is a benchmark designed to accurately reflect global container shipping rates by capturing real-time market fluctuations across carriers' spot, FAK, vessel and ratio rate data. Built on a foundation of transparency and data integrity, the index aggregates pricing information from multiple logistics providers, including freight forwarders and industry stakeholders.
To maintain accuracy, the index applies rigorous data validation techniques, filtering out anomalies and inconsistencies. It primarily relies on median spot rates for standard container shipments across key trade lanes. In cases of limited data availability, a structured methodology ensures completeness and reliability.
The index calculation follows a volume-weighted approach, where major trade routes with higher shipping activity exert greater influence on the final benchmark value. Automated processes eliminate bias, ensuring objectivity and consistency in rate determination.
Freight Right continuously enhances the index through regular reviews, quality control audits, and backtesting, ensuring it remains a reliable market indicator that aligns with industry trends and market demands.
The TrueFreight Index is a supplemental index to the world's major container freight indicies. The major indices offer holistic views of the freight market while TrueFreight offers analysts, logistics managers and supply chain professionals an answer to the question "how much does it cost to purchase container space today?" with an uncluttered look only at the spot rate market.
Today’s average Transpacific spot rate is about $2,750 per 40ft container. Use the table above to check daily updates.
Rates are trending slightly upward this month due to early holiday stockpiling and carrier capacity control.
TrueFreight is built on verified daily spot market bids and focuses on real, actionable rates you can benchmark instantly. Unlike survey-based indices, our data is direct from active market transactions.
Yes — we track FCL, LCL, and premium service tiers, plus different container sizes (20ft, 40ft, HC).
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