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Q1 Freight Trends: Colliers Group Releases Market Update

Furniture World News Desk on 3/24/2025


Colliers Furniture Real Estate Group has released its Q1 Freight Report, highlighting key shifts in domestic and international freight rates that affect furniture manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. The report outlines cost changes across various transportation modes, offering insight into current logistics pressures shaping product pricing and delivery timelines.

According to the report, domestic freight rates have increased 3–7% since Q3 2024. Contributing factors include reduced trucking capacity and rising expenses related to insurance, parts, labor, and fuel.

Ocean freight rates, in contrast, have declined following the Lunar New Year, reflecting seasonal demand fluctuations and vessel rollover pools. However, uncertainty around tariffs and Red Sea shipping disruptions continues to affect international shipping patterns. Despite a declared ceasefire, many carriers remain reluctant to resume passage through the Suez Canal, sustaining longer transit times and higher costs.

Average Truckload Rate per Mile
(Spot Rates Including Fuel)

Average of Q4 2024 Drayage Rate
(Including FSC)

Truckload Rate Drayage Rate

Current Freight Benchmarks (as of Q1 2025):

  • Diesel Fuel
    Average price is $3.67 per gallon, reflecting a 3.6% increase since November 2024.

  • Less-than-Truckload (LTL)
    $473 for a 4,000-pound shipment from Ontario, CA to Las Vegas, NV — up 7.1% since November 2024.
    Rate includes fuel surcharge (FSC), Freight Class 100, and four pallets at 1,000 lbs each.

  • Parcel Shipping
    $18.34 for a 5-pound package shipped via UPS Ground from Ontario, CA to Dallas, TX — up 6.0% since November 2024.
    This is the undiscounted rate with no accessorial charges.

  • Air Freight (Domestic)
    $13,641 for a 4,000-pound shipment via UPS Next Day Air from Ontario, CA to Dallas, TX — up 5.0% since November 2024.
    Rate includes door-to-door service and oversize fees for 4 pallets (48"x40"x60", 1,000 lbs each).

  • Intermodal Shipping
    $3,296 for door-to-door service from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL — up 7.4% since November 2024.
    Rate includes line haul and fuel surcharge, and assumes live load/unload at dock-equipped facilities for a 53-ft container.

  • Ocean Freight
    $4,392 per 40-foot container from Port of Shanghai to Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach — down 9.2% since November 2024.
    Includes base ocean rate, bunker fuel, and surcharges; terminal handling charges at the destination port are excluded.

These benchmarks reflect average spot rates and include fuel surcharges where applicable. Data sources include dat.com, drayage.com, freightquote.com, freightos.com, drewry.com, and schneider.com.

 

 

About  Ben Haverty
Ben Haverty has over 30 years of experience as an executive and entrepreneur in the furniture industry, operating retail stores, home delivery warehouses and regional distribution facilities. As the lead of Colliers Furniture Real Estate Group, Ben works with Colliers integrated real estate services to provide comprehensive solutions for every stage of the furniture industry supply chain, ranging from retail showrooms to home delivery furniture warehouses and wholesale distribution centers. Contact Ben to connect with Colliers’ team of professionals to accelerate your success in the home furnishings industry. For more information, visit www.colliers.com/en/experts/ben-haverty.