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Ocean and Key Ports Update

With regards to once again transiting the Red Sea / Suez Canal considering the progress on the Gaza ceasefire, Maersk is closely monitoring developments in the region and conducting security assessments accordingly. The safety of our crew, our assets, and your cargo remains our top priority. For the latest information, please refer to our dedicated Red Sea page and our latest customer advisory. We will continue to share advisories with you as developments occur.

To help our customers stay up to date on the latest surcharges and rate announcements, all information can be found in one place via our dedicated page. The latest announcements for Europe include the expiry of the Emergency Contingency Surcharge (ECS) for the scope of Oceania to Europe/Red Sea ports (O4N – OCE to EUR/IME) from 15th December 2025, and a revision to Demurrage & Detention tariffs for Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Norway & Sweden effective 1st January 2026.

Recent industrial actions in Belgium have been suspended until further notice, and our teams continue to monitor the situation and will keep customers informed in case of any changes. Earlier in November, German seaports have made changes to the import release process as of 3 November, where a digital authorisation, also known as “secure release order”, has replaced previous PIN-based release system. From September, Maersk has moved on to the “German Ports” community platform to issue pick-up authorisations for our customers. For more information on this change, please click here.

Similarly, in Belgium a new customs release process, which includes a transition from the current Import Manifest (CUSCAR) to the Temporary Storage Declaration (TSD) is taking place as of 1 December. To support this transition, Maersk will start submitting our Import TSDs as from 5 January 2026. We will move gradually from a CUSCAR manifest into a TSD manifest, meaning that the submission might be different vessel per vessel. We strongly encourage customers to make the necessary preparations already. For more information and exact steps on the new TSD process, please visit this page.

As we head into winter, weather warnings are to be expected across the continent, as is typical for the season. Wind restriction at ports and English Channel and Bay of Biscay are expected at the beginning of December and remain possible throughout winter. Watch our video outlining impacts of winter weather on operations for more information.

Ongoing challenges mean supply chain resilience continues to be of paramount importance to European businesses as we move towards the end of the year. Click here to watch our experts discuss the value of supply chain resilience moving into the new year and the key challenges that await businesses in 2026. 
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Inland Update

Resilience continues to be a topic for logistics in 2026, especially when it comes to inland strategies, where customers often have plenty of choices at their disposal. The more options customers can have across different modes, routes, or schedules, the faster they can respond to market changes and demands. Find out how to build a 2026 inland resilience plan, and which three strategic moves can help you face disruption in the new year in our latest article.

Naturally, one of the key elements to ensure resilience is staying up to date with the latest changes and events that might impact your supply chain. Customers in the Baltics should keep an eye out on the latest revisions to demurrage and detention rates, which are available here. In the UK, port charges are changing in both London Gateway and Southampton terminals – for more information, click here.

Switzerland has recently seen a stoppage of our services at the Geneva inland depot, where the depot will no longer be accepting cargo related to Maersk bookings. This decision comes as part of our efforts to streamline our inland services across the country and ensure we can offer solutions best suited to our customers’ supply chains. We continue to provide a reliable service for our customers in Switzerland and offer coverage through our depots in Frenkendorf, Basel, and Birsfelden, where our services remain unchanged.

For our customers in Morocco, our teams have published revised landside surcharges for 2026, including cancellation fees, booking amendment fees, and other surcharges applicable to inland services. For an overview of revised rates, please click here.

For more information on ways to connect seamlessly with our rail, road, and barge solutions across Europe, please visit our Inland transportation services in Europe.

Air Freight Update

The European Union is moving to eliminate the de minimis €150 threshold much earlier than planned. Currently, shipments worth less than €150 arrive in the EU – predominantly via air freight – without needing to pay customs duties. 

The exemption was planned to be reversed in the middle of 2028, but the European Commission is working on a solution to collect customs duties on de minimis e-commerce packages ‘as soon as possible’ in 2026. 

We encourage businesses shipping small parcels or B2C volumes to review their customs strategies, assess cost implications, and ensure robust data accuracy to avoid clearance delays once the new rules are implemented. Maersk teams will continue to monitor developments and support customers in preparing for the transition.

Elsewhere, as air freight peak season and elevated e-commerce demand continues, we encourage customers to reach out to our teams to discuss air freight needs and strategy. With the Maersk-owned network and our partner fleet serving over 75,000 trade lanes worldwide, customers benefit from greater predictability at a time when speed, cost control, and supply chain certainty are more critical than ever.

Please click here to find helpful information about Maersk Air Cargo and our services to and from Europe.

Customs Update

The EU is expected to approve a one-year delay to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which would extend the compliance deadline for large operators and traders to 30 December 2026, with micro and small businesses following on 30 June 2027. Under the regulation, only the first company placing products on the EU market must submit a due diligence statement, while downstream traders are exempt. Although the postponement would offer short-term relief, companies dealing in affected commodities – such as wood, rubber, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, soy, and cattle – should continue preparing as uncertainty remains until a final decision is reached.

Businesses are advised to maintain momentum on compliance planning by reviewing supply chains, collecting geolocation data, strengthening due-diligence systems, and monitoring negotiations closely, as the timing will directly influence investment and sourcing decisions. Read more information here.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will move into its definitive phase on 1st January 2026, shifting from emissions reporting to the application of charges on the embedded CO₂ in imported goods, with the first payment due in October 2027. Businesses importing more than 50 tonnes per year will need to register as authorised CBAM declarants by March 2026, while those below this threshold are exempt from reporting. 

Companies will be required to purchase CBAM certificates for their 2026 emissions from February 2027, with only actual emissions subject to verification; default values do not need verification where permitted. Importers are advised to assess expected volumes, register early, and prepare for certificate procurement to ensure full compliance.

And finally, from 1st January 2026, the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) Convention will adopt a single set of updated rules of origin, introducing simplified transport and origin-check requirements along with greater tolerance for non-originating materials. These changes are designed to streamline trade across the PEM region, but they also mean that products must meet the revised origin criteria to qualify for preferential tariff rates. Businesses should review and update their procedures and documentation ahead of the deadline to ensure continued access to preferential treatment under the new framework. Get further details here.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Global Trade and Customs Consultants if you require support with your customs operations.

Ecommerce Update

Peak season 2025 has seen a change in patterns where value-driven, low-cost retailers and resale marketplaces continue to thrive at the cost of traditional retailers’ growth. The growth across GenZ and Gen Alpha is as expected with influencers playing a more prominent role in the sales cycle. However, due to the ongoing cost of living challenges, this trend has been particularly strong among the 65+ age group surprisingly highlighting how people, and especially older demographics, are seeking value and convenience.

Black Friday has now evolved from a single day to a two-week shopping event, meaning consumers tend to approach it more strategically, using the sales for strategic purchases. Recently, spending was largely driven by mature homeowners, suburban families, younger renters, and budget-conscious buyers. To stay competitive, brands need to look beyond short-term sales events and invest in understanding and anticipating consumer needs, and aligning pricing with their behaviour, all while delivering consistent experience across all channels.

As we head into Christmas period and even more holiday shopping, consumers are also looking for seamless, reliable, and increasingly fast delivery options for their last-minute shopping. Peak seasons like this are a true test for brands and their logistics partners.

Maersk E-Commerce team supports brands, marketplaces, and retailers with a logistics infrastructure tailored to the complexity of European last-mile delivery. Our European parcel network was designed to handle these seasonal peaks with precision through strategic fulfilment centres, multi-carrier routing, real-time tracking, and integrated customs and inland services for cross-border efficiency.

Find out more about how our teams can help provide the best ecommerce delivery solutions for your business by visiting our E-Delivery page.

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