Supply-Chain Shorts: UPS and Caterpillar News, Tequila Cargo Theft & More
Bite-sized supply chain/logistics information.
Return to Sender
UPS is reportedly “disposing” of some packages unable to clear U.S. Customs following regulatory changes that ended the long-standing “de minimis” exemption, which had allowed duty-free entry for goods valued under $800. The change imposed new tariffs and fees on more than 1 billion packages annually. UPS officials told NBC News that thousands of shipments are stuck at facilities due to customs issues, and some are being discarded. Customers have reported weeks-long delays, confusion over tracking updates, and the loss of items, though UPS says more than 90% of packages clear customs within one day.
Faster Than a Speeding Bullet Train
At more than 280 miles per hour, the CR450—poised to become the world’s fastest high-speed rail service—is currently undergoing trials on the Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu line. During these trials, the train reportedly reached a top speed of 281 miles per hour, significantly surpassing the previous record of 217 miles per hour, also held by a Chinese high-speed train. It even exceeded the projected top speed of 249 miles per hour for the CR450 prototype.
Delivery Emoji is on the Way
Deutsche Post and numerous international organizations are supporting an application to the Unicode Consortium to create a dedicated emoji for the approximately 5.3 million employees in the postal sector and millions more in the courier, express, and parcel industry. If approved, the delivery person emoji is expected to be available on all smartphones worldwide sometime in 2026.
Stolen Spirits, Smooth Criminals
In November 2024, two trucks carrying approximately $1 million worth of Santo Tequila (co-owned by Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar) were stolen in an elaborate cargo heist in Laredo, Texas. The theft was carried out by criminals who used double brokering, a form of online deception to take control of the shipment and reroute it to a fake warehouse in Los Angeles. Some of the stolen tequila has since been recovered, but the full extent of the loss is still being assessed.
Caterpillar Digs Into the Future
Caterpillar announced an investment of up to $5 million in workforce training and upskilling in Indiana as part of the machinery manufacturer’s five-year, $100 million workforce commitment. The pledge aims to promote advanced manufacturing careers and train prospective workers in the United States.
