Are storage costs forcing Afghan traders to send cargo back?

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Storage Costs Contribute to Afghan Traders Shipping Cargo Back

Mounting storage costs are a factor influencing Afghan traders to ship cargo back, as exemplified by the case of one importer who began returning containers to Japan. This decision was directly linked to the increasing expenses associated with holding goods in storage.
Masoud's Experience with Storage Costs

The importer, Masoud, who sources parts from Japan, stated that he had resorted to shipping some containers back to Japan due to accumulating storage costs. This action was taken after his business had effectively ceased following the onset of the conflict in Iran, which disrupted his usual import activities.
Broader Trade Disruptions Impacting Business

The broader geopolitical conflicts have significantly impacted Afghanistan's trade routes, leading to a paralysis of business for several months. For instance, Asadullah, another importer, noted that the price of a container shipment surged from approximately US$2,000 to US$8,000 following the Middle East war. This increase in shipping costs, coupled with hold-ups at key logistical hubs like Dubai's Jebel Ali port, has left him with over 30 containers stuck in the UAE and Japan.
Economic Vulnerability of Afghanistan's Trade Sector

Afghanistan's economy is highly susceptible to external shocks, with a notable gap between its imports and exports. This vulnerability was highlighted by the World Bank, which reported that this gap reached 70 percent of the country's GDP in the 2025 fiscal year. The collapse of trade routes has had a ripple effect, impacting thousands of workers in the Spin Boldak market and leading to a standstill in workshops that previously assembled new cars or repaired existing ones.

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Are storage costs forcing Afghan traders to send cargo back?

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