If you think holiday shopping stress is bad for consumers, imagine being a retailer trying to figure out what tariffs will look like in a few months. That's the reality right now, as U.S. companies rush to bring in goods from China earlier than usual—just in case President Donald Trump's trade policies throw a wrench in the supply chain.

According to shipping executives, retailers are placing orders four to six weeks ahead of the typical schedule, aiming to have Black Friday and Christmas inventory safely in warehouses before any new tariffs kick in. The urgency follows Trump's recent visit to China, which left many wondering whether the trade truce will hold.

“There is an expectation that tariffs could be raised again, or restored to previous levels, so everyone is rushing to get goods in before that happens,” Tony Meng, a senior sales manager at shipping firm XPD Global in China, told Reuters.

The early rush is already showing up in the numbers. Shipping volumes that usually peak from July through September exceeded expectations in May and June, driving a surge in freight rates. U.S. imports from China jumped 35% in May, and while growth may slow later this summer, the frontloading could keep volumes elevated for a while.

Maersk, one of the world's largest shipping groups, said container space on the China–U.S. route has been tightening since mid-May due to “stronger customer demand and earlier seasonal bookings.”

Tariffs and Supply Chain Fears

The scramble comes as the U.S. Trade Representative has proposed a 12.5% tariff on imports from China and other countries following a forced labor investigation. A final decision is expected in the coming months. China has denied the allegations.

At the same time, there's a tentative agreement on the table. In May, the U.S. and China reached a deal to reduce tariffs and ease non-tariff barriers after trade talks and a summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping. The deal includes mutual tariff reductions on select products and efforts to expand bilateral agricultural trade. But with negotiations still fluid, retailers aren't taking any chances.

Beyond tariffs, there's a growing unease about Chinese ownership of U.S. brands and supply chains. Senator Rick Scott has warned that this trend poses a national security threat, urging a stronger push for domestic manufacturing. “Made in America” is no longer enough, he said, adding that “Communist China is buying up brands Americans know and trust.”

For now, the message from the shipping docks is clear: get it here before the tariffs do.