Data released last Thursday showed that U.S. container import volume in September fell 8.4% year-on-year, affected by the ongoing trade turmoil triggered by U.S. President Trump’s tariff policies. Imports from China plummeted by 22.9%.
Supply chain technology and data provider Descartes stated that despite the year-on-year decline, U.S. ports still handled 2.31 million TEU in August, marking the third-highest level on record for that month.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates forecast that monthly imports at major U.S. container ports are expected to fall below 2 million TEU for the remainder of the year, as most holiday merchandise has already been delivered early and tariffs continue to increase.
Jonathan Gold, NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy, said this year’s peak season has ended early, largely because retailers rushed to import goods before tariffs took effect.
The NRF noted that more tariffs will take effect this week, including 25% tariffs on padded furniture and kitchen and bathroom cabinets from various countries. Furthermore, the plan to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports, originally scheduled for August and delayed by 90 days, is set to commence on November 10, unless an agreement is reached before then or Trump decides to postpone it again.
Ben Hackett, founder of Hackett Associates, pointed out that the ongoing volatility in U.S. tariff policy is creating significant economic uncertainty.
The Drewry East-West Mainline Contract Rate Index, which reflects market demand, fell 3% year-on-year in the 12 months ending September, marking the first negative growth since July 2024. This index is derived from the weighted average contract rates of over a hundred multinational shippers, including Walmart, across 17 major shipping routes.
Under unprecedented tariff pressure, overall U.S. import performance remains relatively robust. Import volume in the first nine months of the year grew 1.9% compared to the same period in 2024. However, according to Descartes data, China’s share of total U.S. imports fell to 33% in September from 34.5% in August.
Imports from China in September dropped to 762,772 TEU, led by declines in aluminum products, footwear, and electrical machinery. Imports of toys, sporting goods, and apparel also shrank. Descartes noted that the overall data indicates the brief rebound in July-August has ended, highlighting importers’ high sensitivity to tariff policies.
The company’s data also showed that import values from South Korea, Taiwan (China), Hong Kong (China), Germany, and Italy all declined year-on-year in September. Meanwhile, some Southeast and South Asian countries are gaining market share. Import volumes from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and India all recorded growth.
Descartes stated that month-on-month data indicates a broad slowdown in Asian trade momentum.
Source: Reuters
