February’s “Calm” Was an Illusion
From the outside, February 2026 might have seemed smooth for freight. But beneath that surface, timing mismatches, deliberate carrier capacity discipline, and regulatory shifts created unnoticed friction across global and domestic supply chains.
R&R Global Logistics (RRGLS) reviewed key ocean, trucking, and compliance trends to see where the pressure points really were—and what they mean for your March planning.
1. Ocean & LCL: Behind the Calm, Tight Space
While overall rates looked steady, blank sailings and pre–Lunar New Year cargo volumes quickly restricted LCL availability from Asia to North America.
- Booking windows tightened — two weeks ahead is now the minimum to secure space and optimal cutoffs.
- Distributed pressures, not visible chaos — Maersk and other carriers noted that February felt quiet only because space constraints and rotation shifts were spread across multiple service strings.
- March strategy: Identify which lanes experienced the most last-minute adjustments and book early to avoid rolled cargo or higher spot rates.
2. Reefer Freight: Climate and Calendar Collisions
U.S. ground freight held mostly stable, but reefer market volatility intensified.
An 8% year-over-year cost increase for refrigerated vans is forecasted for 2026, driven by regional demand spikes around temperature-sensitive commodities—Valentine’s Day floral imports being one notable February example.
RRGLS tip:
- Add flex to your reefer lanes by widening pickup windows and pre-tendering loads.
- Establish at least one backup carrier in regions with recurring weather or holiday surges.
- Update routing guides quarterly—instead of annually—to absorb seasonality and fuel variability.
3. CBP Refunds: Electronic is Now Mandatory
On February 6, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officially transitioned to electronic refunds via ACH, ending paper refund checks for most importers.
This rule—based on a January interim final notice—applies to nearly all refunds processed after February 5, except in limited waiver cases.
If your company hasn’t completed ACH refund enrollment in the ACE Portal, you could see delayed reimbursements or reconciliation gaps.
Checklist for Importers:
- Confirm ACE Portal access and sub-account setup.
- Verify ACH refund enrollment for importer numbers and all designated payees.
- Assign internal ownership for refund tracking, reconciliation, and ACH audit trails.
RRGLS’s compliance team can walk you through CBP enrollment steps or manage setup on your behalf to avoid missed refunds.
4. Corridor & Mode Review: Building March Around “Reliable Windows”
Asia → North America
Pre‑holiday capacity tightening, combined with blank sailings, created micro‑congestion on select services. Yet, reliability into the West Coast exceeded 95% on some carrier strings—ideal for March and April planning.
Domestic LTL & Truckload
The LTL sector continues to play its “in-between” role: more dynamic than parcel, more flexible than full truckload, yet increasingly yield‑driven. With U.S. LTL market value exceeding $118 billion, efficiency now depends on proactive scheduling and consolidated pickups.
5. What Shippers Should Do Before Peak Q2 Activity
Use February as your calibration point for 2026:
- Re-score top 10 lanes. Compare spot vs. contract, actual vs. target lead time, and cost per mile by mode.
- Lock critical LCL and reefer bookings early—especially into March and early spring produce season.
- Audit ACH readiness. Verify refundable cash isn’t stuck waiting for legacy processes.
- Update transport contracts. Incorporate reefer rate adjusters and flexible schedules to handle volatility.
- Use data, not averages. February’s results will better reflect this year’s new normal than 2025 baselines.
6. How RRGLS Can Help
R&R Global Logistics provides multimodal expertise across drayage, transloading, warehousing, dry van, reefer, flatbed, and overweight permit freight throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Whether you’re managing seasonal spikes, transitioning to electronic compliance workflows, or strengthening vendor capacity plans, RRGLS can help tailor a March playbook that keeps your freight—and your refunds—moving smoothly.
Contact us at: rrgls.com/contact-us or 678‑926‑4139
Happy Holidays and a Strong Start to March from the RRGLS Team!