US retailers are placing China orders four to six weeks earlier than usual to build Black Friday and Christmas inventories ahead of potential US tariff hikes, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing shipping executives.

Frontloaded shipments have tightened container capacity on China-US routes, with spot rates from Shanghai to New york and Los Angeles rising week over week and year over year, maritime consultancy Drewry said.

Shipping executives told Reuters that strong May and June shipping volumes could support China's June exports, though container-tracking firm Vizion expects shipments to ease after July as tariffs weigh on demand.

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