The movement of goods between countries is greatly influenced by the demand and supply for products. When many people in the USA are purchasing goods made in China, more items need to be shipped across the ocean, putting pressure on shipping services. However, if fewer people are buying these products, there is less demand for space on ships, which lowers costs. Therefore, depending on how much demand there is, the cost and availability of shipping space can vary significantly.

Fuel Costs

Transporting goods across the world requires massive ships that consume a large amount of fuel. The price of fuel, such as oil, can fluctuate due to various factors, including political issues or natural events. When fuel prices rise, it becomes more expensive to ship containers from China to the USA, and these increased costs are passed on to companies, which in turn raises shipping prices. Conversely, when fuel prices fall, shipping becomes cheaper.