U.S.-bound container imports hit second-highest month on record amid tariff and seasonal pressures
Summary
Descartes’ August Global Shipping Report shows U.S.-bound container imports reached 2,519,722 TEU — the second-highest monthly total in the dataset — down 3.9% from July but up 1.6% year-on-year and 17.6% versus 2019. Volumes above the 2.4M TEU threshold persisted for a second consecutive month, a level that historically strains maritime infrastructure. Descartes highlights the combined influence of seasonality and tariff timing on shipment flows, noting importers are actively adjusting in response to policy changes such as the end of the de minimis exemption and the looming expiry of the U.S.–China tariff truce.
Key Points
- August U.S.-bound imports: 2,519,722 TEU — second-highest monthly total on record and up 1.6% year-on-year.
- Sequential change: down 3.9% from July (larger decline than last year’s 3.0% for the same period).
- Imports from China fell to 869,253 TEU (down 5.8% sequentially and down 10.8% year-on-year); China’s share dropped to 34.5%.
- Top 10 origin countries saw a combined 4.4% decline month-on-month, led by falls from China, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
- Top 10 U.S. ports volumes declined 4.1% month-on-month; Port of Los Angeles down 9.3%, Port of Oakland down 9.8%, Tacoma down 11.9%.
- Coast share shift: East and Gulf Coast ports rose to 40.8% (up 1.5%), West Coast eased to 44.1% (down 1.7%).
- Policy drivers: repeal of the de minimis exemption (29 August) and approaching tariff truce expiry are reshaping import timing and flows.
Content Summary
The 49th Descartes Global Shipping Report (August edition) records elevated U.S.-bound container volumes, despite a month-on-month dip. While volumes remain resilient relative to pre-pandemic levels, the report flags sensitivity to tariff timing and recent policy shifts. Importers are accelerating or delaying shipments around policy deadlines — notably the repeal of duty-free treatment for low-value parcels and the upcoming potential changes tied to the U.S.–China tariff truce.
Regional and port-level movements show weakness at several major West Coast gateways, while East and Gulf Coast ports continued to pick up share. Overall, the top 10 ports handled 84.9% of volumes in August, a near-steady coast-to-coast mix compared with July and within typical ranges seen this year.
Context and Relevance
This report matters because it confirms that demand remains robust even as policy uncertainty rises. For shippers, 3PLs, port operators and supply-chain planners, the interaction of tariffs, legal challenges to key tariff measures (now heading towards the Supreme Court) and the removal of de minimis relief are forcing tactical shifts in inventory timing, routing and capacity planning. The persistence of monthly volumes above 2.4M TEU also signals continued stress points for terminal capacity, equipment cycles and hinterland distribution.
Why should I read this?
Short version: if you deal with imports, ports or freight capacity, this is worth five minutes. Volumes are high, policy is messy, and both are changing how and when goods move. That means potential pinch points at terminals, shifting coast shares and more reasons to revisit contingency plans and routing strategies now rather than react later.
Author’s take
Punchy: Strong volumes + tariff noise = risk and opportunity. The headline numbers show resilience, but the policy timeline is nudging flows. If you manage capacity, contracts or procurement, treat this as a signal to stress-test plans and get ahead of seasonal and tariff-driven surges.