The latest figures from data provider WorldACD show that in the week ending 2 August (week 31), volumes from China to Europe were down 5% compared with a week earlier, while from Hong Kong there was a 3% decline.
The data firm said that for July as a whole, volumes from “e-commerce-driven” Hong Kong to are down 19% compared with June and 24% year on year.
From China to Europe, volumes in July were less affected than Hong Kong drop-off but are still down 3% compared with June and 6% behind last year’s levels.
The drop-off comes after the EU ended its tariff-free exemptions on goods valued less than €150 by adding a €3 charge per item.
“Spot rates from both China and Hong Kong to Europe during that same six-week period have also been in persistent decline,” WorldACD added in a market review.
Image: © WorldACD
The lower volumes are also affecting pricing, with average spot rates from Hong Kong to Europe falling from US$5.80 per kg in mid to late June to $4.96 per kg in week 31.
From China rates are down from $5.43 per kg in week 25 to $3.86 per kg in week 31.
Rates from both origins to Europe are higher than last year in week 31 – up 2% from China dn 7% from Hong Kong – but this is down on the 25% difference of the previous three months.
Elsewhere, “spot rates from many parts of Asia Pacific to Europe remain at highly inflated levels compared with this time last year, including from Taiwan (33% year on year), Vietnam (39% year on year) and Thailand (32% year on year)”, WorldACD said.
“But the fall in spot rates to Europe from China and Hong Kong in recent weeks has narrowed the overall increase versus last year for Asia Pacific to Europe spot rates from 39% in week 25 to just 17% in week 31,” it added.
Source: https://www.aircargonews.net/e-commerce-logistics/2026/08/european-air-cargo-demand-continues-to-fall-following-eus-stricter-import-rules/
Kolkata | New Delhi: Indian electronics and automobile manufacturers are increasingly flying in raw materials and components despite sharply higher freight costs to ensure...
Expectations of a strong peak season in the global air cargo market are fading with new data showing slowing demand growth, easing spot rates and little appetite for additional...
The cargo division of Deutsche Lufthansa AG (FRA: LHA) posted a 26% gain in adjusted operating profit during the second quarter as strong shipping demand in Asia and from...
The UK government must adopt a coordinated, whole-system approach to SAF resourcing and usage across air and other modes of transport.
Air India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japanese eVTOL developer SkyDrive and Suzuki Motor Corporation to study the feasibility of using electric vertical...
Emirates SkyCargo saw its exports from the UK increase by double-digit percentage levels in the last financial year as it benefited from rising demand for aeropsace, perishables...
Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 8.5% compared to June 2025 (9.6% for international operations)
Air cargo throughput at Vietnamese airports has reached a record high, but foreign airlines still dominate the international freight market, prompting Vietnam to consider...
The global race to build artificial intelligence is redrawing Asia's air cargo map, prompting airlines to redesign networks around growing semiconductor manufacturing hubs...
ALS