How 2026 Tariffs Are Changing U.S. Truckload Freight Lanes
Tariff rules changed at least four times in 2026, and each shift moved freight. A Supreme Court ruling in February, a temporary global tariff in the spring, new Section 301 duties in July and a U.S.-China deal in late September all changed what gets imported, through which ports, and when. For shippers, 2026 tariffs show up as surges, lulls and new lane patterns in truckload freight.
This guide explains what is in force as of late September 2026, how tariffs are changing U.S. truckload freight lanes, and how to plan capacity around the uncertainty. It is written by MigWay, an asset-based carrier in Pineville, North Carolina, running 400 trucks and 750 trailers across the East Coast, Southeast and Midwest. This is general information, not trade or customs advice.
What tariffs are in force in the U.S. in late 2026?
As of late September 2026, U.S. tariffs rest on Section 301 and Section 232 authority, not the emergency powers used in 2025. Here is the short version of how the year unfolded.
| Date | Change | Freight impact |
|---|---|---|
| February 20, 2026 | Supreme Court rules the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize tariffs | 2025 emergency tariffs end; importers begin seeking refunds |
| February 24 to July 24, 2026 | Temporary 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 | Importers pull some orders forward ahead of the July expiration |
| June 8, 2026 | Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper restructured, set to run through December 31, 2027 | Steady support for domestic metals freight, mostly on flatbeds |
| July 24, 2026 | New Section 301 tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies; China totals 37.5% on covered goods | USMCA-qualifying goods from Canada and Mexico are exempt |
| August 2026 | 50% U.S. tariff on non-USMCA goods from Canada | Short surge of Canadian freight before the deadline |
| September 8, 2026 | Canada's retaliatory tariffs take effect | Pressure on some U.S. exports moving north |
| September 26, 2026 | U.S. and China agree to cut tariffs on about $30 billion in goods, including toys, small appliances and holiday decorations | Possible late-season import bump for retail goods once terms take effect |
Trade policy is moving fast. Check with your customs broker for the rates on your specific products. Our focus here is what these changes mean for trucks and lanes.
How do tariffs change truckload freight volumes?
Tariffs change when freight moves more than how much moves. Importers rush goods in before a tariff starts, then pause while they work through inventory. That creates a surge followed by a lull on lanes out of ports.
- Pull-forward surges: importers rush orders before a deadline, filling ports and outbound lanes for a few weeks.
- Post-deadline lulls: freight drops once warehouses are full. The Port of Savannah handled 443,650 TEUs in April 2026, down nearly 14% from a record April 2025 that was driven by tariff front-loading.
- Sourcing shifts: buyers move orders from high-tariff countries to lower-tariff ones, such as Mexico or Southeast Asia, which changes which ports and border crossings carry the freight.
- Domestic production: tariffs on metals and some finished goods support U.S. plants, adding inbound raw material and outbound finished goods freight.
- Export pressure: retaliatory tariffs can cut outbound volumes on agricultural and industrial exports.
Truck capacity does not flex as fast as tariff deadlines. With national tender rejections above 13% in September, a sudden surge can leave shippers scrambling for trucks.
Which U.S. freight lanes are gaining or losing from 2026 tariffs?
The biggest changes are at the borders and the ports, with ripple effects inland. This table summarizes the main patterns from 2025 through 2026.
| Corridor or freight type | Direction | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico border crossings (Laredo, El Paso) to U.S. interior | Growing | Mexican exports to the U.S. grew 13% in the first half of 2026; non-automotive exports jumped 64.9%, per C.H. Robinson |
| Canada cross-border | Volatile | Surge ahead of the August 50% tariff, then retaliation from September 8; capacity near a five-year low |
| West Coast ports to inland | Softer | Some Asian imports shifted to East and Gulf Coast ports |
| East and Gulf Coast ports to inland | Larger share, uneven month to month | Savannah, Charleston, Norfolk and Houston took more diverted volume, but front-loading made 2026 swings sharp |
| Domestic steel, aluminum and fabricated metals | Steady to growing | Section 232 tariffs favor U.S. mills and fabricators, moving more flatbed freight between plants and job sites |
| Consumer goods from China | Down from 2024 levels, possible bump ahead | High tariffs cut volume; the September deal may lift toys, appliances and decorations |
Driver supply limits how much freight these corridors can absorb. Mexico reports a shortage of more than 90,000 drivers, and U.S. rules on non-domiciled CDLs and English proficiency are removing drivers on the U.S. side too.
How are tariffs affecting freight in the Southeast and the Carolinas?
The Southeast has gained share of U.S. import freight, and its manufacturing base keeps growing. That makes lanes out of the Carolinas and Georgia busier but less predictable in 2026.
Ports
Savannah, Charleston and Norfolk sit at the front of the East Coast shift. Georgia Ports is investing about $5 billion over 10 years, including five new container berths in Savannah. Its Gainesville inland port opened in May 2026. Charleston feeds Inland Port Greer along I-85 in the Upstate. Norfolk serves Virginia, the Carolinas and the Ohio Valley. See our guide to Port of Norfolk drayage and inland FTL lanes.
Manufacturing
Tariffs have added to a decade-long wave of manufacturing investment in the Southeast, especially in automotive, batteries and industrial equipment. That brings inbound steel and components on flatbeds and outbound finished goods in dry vans. Our guide on shipping steel and metal fabrications from NC and VA covers the flatbed side.
What it means for Carolinas shippers
- Outbound lanes to the Northeast along I-95 and to the Ohio Valley along I-77 and I-81 are staying busy.
- Port-driven surges can tighten capacity around Charleston, Savannah and Norfolk with little warning.
- Flatbed capacity is tight on metals and construction freight, with flatbed rejection rates near 20% in September.
How should shippers plan truckload capacity around tariff changes?
Plan for swings, not averages. Tariff deadlines and trade deals will keep creating short surges through 2027.
- Talk to your import team early. Ask procurement when orders will land. A pull-forward order is a truck order two to six weeks later.
- Share forecasts with carriers. Even a rough heads-up helps carriers position trucks before a surge hits.
- Lock core lanes with asset carriers. Committed capacity on your steadiest lanes keeps surges from pushing everything to the spot market. See when to lock 2027 contract rates.
- Keep backups in the routing guide. Surges often hit one port or border at a time. Have a second carrier ready on those lanes.
- Use drop trailers where you can. Staged trailers absorb short surges without adding dock time. Learn more about drop trailer programs.
- Watch deal dates. Track effective dates on new tariff deals, such as the September U.S.-China agreement, to spot the next import wave.
How does MigWay help shippers handle tariff-driven freight swings?
MigWay runs its own trucks, so we can commit capacity on your core lanes and flex with you when surges hit. Zero outsourcing means one accountable plan from pickup to delivery.
- Asset fleet: 400 trucks and 750 trailers, dry van and flatbed.
- Southeast base: headquartered in Pineville, NC, with freight across the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia and the I-95, I-77 and I-81 corridors.
- Port and inland service: drayage and full truckload out of East Coast port regions.
- Flatbed for metals: steel coil, structural steel and fabricated metal on our flatbed fleet.
- Fast response: 12-24 hour standard lead time, expedited service in as little as 4 hours.
- 24/7 in-house dispatch and ELD and GPS tracking on every load.
Expecting an import wave or a tariff-driven production change? Request a freight quote or start a chat with our team. You can also call +1-980-255-3200.
What is the bottom line on 2026 tariffs and truckload freight lanes?
2026 tariffs are changing U.S. truckload freight lanes by shifting imports toward Mexico and East Coast ports, supporting domestic metals freight and creating sharp surges around every deadline. Capacity is already tight, so those surges hit harder. Shippers who forecast early, lock core lanes and keep backups ready will move freight on time when the next change lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do tariffs affect trucking?
Tariffs change when and where freight moves. Importers rush goods in before a tariff starts, then slow down afterward. Tariffs also shift sourcing between countries, which changes which ports, border crossings and inland lanes carry freight.
Are IEEPA tariffs still in effect?
No. The Supreme Court ruled on February 20, 2026, that IEEPA does not authorize tariffs. The administration replaced them with a temporary Section 122 tariff and then new Section 301 tariffs starting July 24, 2026.
What tariffs replaced Section 122?
New Section 301 tariffs took effect July 24, 2026. They add 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies, with China reaching 37.5% on covered goods. USMCA-qualifying goods from Canada and Mexico are exempt.
What did the U.S. and China agree to in September 2026?
On September 26, 2026, the two countries agreed to cut tariffs on about $30 billion in goods. U.S. cuts cover items like toys, small appliances and holiday decorations. Exact rates and timing were still being finalized at the time of writing.
Which freight lanes are growing because of tariffs?
Lanes from the Mexico border into the U.S. interior are growing fastest. East and Gulf Coast ports have gained import share from the West Coast. Domestic metals freight on flatbeds is also steady to growing.
Are tariffs raising freight rates?
Indirectly. Tariffs create sudden surges that strain already tight capacity. The main driver of 2026 rate increases, though, is trucks and drivers leaving the market, not tariffs.
How do tariffs affect flatbed freight?
Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper favor domestic mills and fabricators. That keeps flatbed demand steady for metals, while construction and data center work add more. Flatbed rejection rates were near 20% in September 2026.
How are tariffs affecting Southeast ports like Savannah and Charleston?
They have gained import share but swing month to month. Savannah's April 2026 volume fell nearly 14% from a record April 2025 that was inflated by tariff front-loading. Both ports are still expanding for long-term growth.
How can shippers prepare for tariff-driven freight surges?
Coordinate with your import team, share forecasts with carriers, and lock core lanes with asset-based carriers. Keep backup carriers on port and border lanes. Drop trailer programs also help absorb short spikes.
Does MigWay haul freight from East Coast ports?
Yes. MigWay offers drayage and full truckload service from East Coast port regions, with dry van and flatbed capacity. Our fleet of 400 trucks and 750 trailers is based in Pineville, North Carolina.