If the Supreme Court rules to strike down the IEEPA-based tariffs, the headlines will likely focus on trade law and refund logistics. But on the ground? It’s going to be about a potentially increased volume of containers—lots of them—coming in hot.

For the past few years, many importers have hesitated. With tariffs slapped on by presidential order and legal uncertainty looming, landed cost calculations have been unstable at best. But a court reversal on IEEPA could shift that almost overnight, removing a significant barrier and giving the green light to sidelined shippers.

And when they jump in? The freight surge could hit hard.

 

The Real Impact: Containers, Rails, and 24-Hour Free Time

Importers who’ve been slow-playing inventory decisions may flood the ports with backlogged POs and bulk orders. That means:

  • Container surges at intermodal ramps

  • Tight turnarounds with 24-hour free time

  • Stacked containers that need urgent triage

This isn’t theoretical—it’s already happened during previous tariff rollbacks and pandemic bouncebacks. The question is: Will your drayage partner be ready?

 

Is Your Drayage Partner Built for What’s Coming?

Mark-it Express has strategic locations in Chicago, Kansas City, and Detroit, giving us the positioning and scale to stage, sort, and prioritize containers before they become expensive liabilities.

We’ve invested in:

  • Innovative dispatch tools for prioritized pulls and returns

  • Yard capacity to stage containers efficiently

  • Dedicated teams to track per diem exposure in real time

  • Scalability to react quickly when things spike

Because once those per diem clocks start ticking, every minute counts.

 

The Market Won’t Look the Same Tomorrow

The drayage market is already under pressure. Let’s break it down:

  • Motor carrier attrition is absolute. Many smaller fleets have exited the market due to cost pressures, labor rules, and tightening margins.

  • DOT enforcement is up. From English-language proficiency checks to pressure on non-domiciled carriers, regulations are thinning the herd.

  • Capacity isn’t elastic anymore. When everyone wants to move at once, only carriers who’ve built for volatility can deliver.

 

Bottom Line: You’ll Need More Than a Rate Sheet

When the IEEPA ruling drops—whatever the outcome—it won’t just be a legal shift. It’ll be a logistics aftershock.

At Mark-it Express, we’re not just drayage providers. We’re capacity partners—proactive, connected, and ready to flex when the market moves.

Ready to be ready? Let’s talk today—before the containers start arriving and you’re stuck playing catch-up.