Spotlight: US Shipping Update

U.S. trade policy remains the single largest source of global uncertainty. Following the termination of IEEPA based tariffs in February 2026, the U.S. implemented a temporary 10% global surcharge under Section 122, while maintaining extensive Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos, semiconductors, and other strategic goods. With the time limit of Section 122 counting down to July, there is still no indication if congress will extend or challenge these tariffs under their Constitutional Article 1, section 8 powers to regulate trade.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continue to develop their Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (“CAPE”) system, to calculate and issue valid IEEPA tariff refunds. CBP is designing CAPE with four (4) integrated components: (i) Claim Portal; (ii) Mass Processing; (iii) Review and Liquidation/Reliquidation; and (iv) Refund.

In a filing with the Court of International Trade (CIT) on March 19th , CBP estimates that development of the “Claim Portal” is 73% complete, and testing of substantially developed capabilities is already underway; with other integrated components closely behind in the development stage.

As CBP marches toward the deadline to fulfill the CIT order of refunds, importers should likewise prepare as best they can by ensuring that their ACE portal access is current, their import entries correct and collated as well as correct current banking information has been listed for ACH deposits from Customs.

Questions about tariffs or international shipping? Attend our next Customs and Tariffs Webinar with John Burhans, Mercury’s Chief Trade Officer, to get some answers. Or as always, reach out to Mercury and we can help you one on one.

Industry Knowledge

Live Cell Shipping: Time-Critical Logistics Guide

Live cell shipments operate within narrow viability windows where even minor delays or temperature fluctuations can render samples unusable. This guide covers the coordination requirements for CAR-T therapies, stem cells, and other cell-based products, from scheduling around cell harvest timing to selecting carriers with validated cold chain capabilities and real-time monitoring systems that enable intervention before excursions compromise product integrity.

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Shipping Preserved Specimens Under IATA A180

Specimens preserved in formalin, ethanol, or other fixatives fall under IATA Packing Instruction A180, which governs air transport of biological materials in preservative solutions. Proper classification depends on preservative concentration and specimen type, with incorrect documentation leading to customs rejections and shipment delays. This guide walks through the classification decision tree, packaging requirements, and labeling specifications that keep preserved specimen shipments compliant and moving.

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GMP Biologics Storage: Warehouse Checklist

Storing biologics under GMP conditions requires more than temperature-controlled rooms—it demands validated monitoring systems, documented procedures, trained personnel, and audit-ready records. This checklist covers the essential elements operations teams need to evaluate, whether assessing internal capabilities or qualifying third-party logistics partners for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and biologic storage.

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FDA PreCheck: What It Means for Pharma

FDA's PreCheck program offers qualified importers expedited clearance for pharmaceutical shipments entering the United States. By demonstrating compliance history and supply chain controls upfront, companies can reduce border delays that put temperature-sensitive products at risk. This article explains eligibility requirements, the application process, and how PreCheck status translates to faster, more predictable import timelines for life sciences shipments.

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Product Spotlight: 🛡️Insurance

You can now request shipping insurance directly on the Mercury portal for Parcel, Same-Day, Hybrid, and Cold Chain shipments. Insurance is great to have for those shipments where you want an extra level of protection. If the insurance quote is approved instantly, the shipment and label will be created automatically. If this is a more complex shipment and underwriting is required, the shipment will be created and the label will be issued once the insurance process is completed. If for some reason a quote cannot be generated, you will be notified and the shipment can be re-created without insurance. Insurance details are available under the Insurance tab, and the certificate can be found in Documents.

In a dynamic shipping environment, insurance is one extra safeguard available to you. Always feel free to contact your squad with any questions regarding insurance.

Additional Software Updates

• 🏷️ Default Label Size Preference - You can set a default label size in your User Profile. This size will be preselected during shipment creation, but you can still change it when needed.

• 📱 Mobile-Friendly Tracking Page - The Public Tracking Page has been improved for mobile devices, providing a smoother tracking experience on all screen sizes.

• 🔁 Duplicate Pickups - You can now duplicate previous or upcoming pickup requests in the Portal. Simply copy an existing pickup and update the date and time.

• 📬 More Details in Note Notifications - Note notification emails now include origin and destination addresses, contact details, and reference information.

• 📦 Contact Details in Shipment Updates - Shipment update emails now include origin and destination contact details for all shipment types.

Employee Spotlight

Meet Alexis Tucker: From Lab Bench to Logistics, Moving Science Forward One Shipment at a Time

Alexis Tucker's path to Mercury started in the laboratory, where she learned firsthand that the samples researchers entrust to logistics partners often represent years of painstaking work. Now as a Logistics Guide on Mercury's Foxtrot squad specializing in cold chain shipments, she brings that scientific perspective to every temperature-sensitive delivery she coordinates. Her approach centers on meticulous planning—not just mapping one perfect route, but building backup plans for every segment of a shipment so the team can pivot instantly when flights get missed or airlines misroute cargo. When a time-critical shipment recently went missing due to airline error, Alexis used the live GPS monitor inside the package to pinpoint its exact location at the wrong airport and get it back on track with minimal delay.

What makes Alexis stand out is her belief that reliability and honesty build lasting client relationships, delivering as promised when things go right, and communicating transparently when they don't. She credits her Foxtrot squad teammates for creating an environment where no question feels too small, because in healthcare logistics, the obvious details are often the ones that matter most. For Alexis, the reward is knowing that every sample or medical device she ships could be saving a life or advancing research that will change lives in the future.

👉 Read Alexis's full story